Printing Press Operators Salary in Ames, IA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Ames, IA

Median annual salary $42,850 -5.1% vs national
Median hourly $20.60
10th percentile $31,740
90th percentile $69,000
Employed locally 180
National median $45,160

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Printing Press Operators
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $31,740
    25th
    $38,510
    50th (median)
    $42,850
    75th
    $63,700
    90th
    $69,000

    Ames economic context

    Unemployment rate 2.40% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $71,090 2023 • Census ACS
    Printing Press Operators salary vs area income 60% Median Printing Press Operators salary is 40% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Printing Press Operators

    Metro areaMedian salary
    District of Columbia $115,770
    Harrisonburg, VA $62,100
    Rochester, MN $58,820
    Napa, CA $57,010
    Modesto, CA $55,730
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $55,280

    Nearby metros — Printing Press Operators salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    District of Columbia $115,770
    Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV $52,920
    Visalia, CA $50,620
    Middle Georgia nonmetropolitan area $50,080
    Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA $49,730
    Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO $49,240

    Related occupations in Ames, IA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators $47,250
    Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders $47,630
    First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers $67,220
    Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers $49,310
    Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers $59,950
    Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic $48,150

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Printing Press Operators make per hour in Ames?

    The median hourly wage for Printing Press Operators in Ames, IA is $20.60, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $34.96 or more per hour.

    Is Ames above or below average for Printing Press Operators salaries?

    The median Printing Press Operators salary in Ames, IA is 5.1% below the national median of $45,160. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Printing Press Operators in Ames?

    Entry-level Printing Press Operators (10th percentile) earn around $31,740 per year in Ames, IA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $38,510.