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Salary comparison

Printing Press Operators vs. First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers: Who Earns More?

First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers out-earn Printing Press Operators by $29K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Printing Press Operators land at $45,780 and First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers at $74,450. The education gap is real: printing press operator programs typically require high school diploma or equivalent, while first-line supervisors of production and operating worker programs require high school diploma or equivalent. Top-paying state for Printing Press Operators is District of Columbia ($116,630); for First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers it's Wyoming ($90,390).

Printing Press Operators
First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers
Median salary
$45,780
$74,450
Hourly rate
$22.01/hr
$35.79/hr
Entry level (10th %)
$33,330
$47,130
Senior level (90th %)
$63,520
$108,750
Education required
High school diploma or equivalent
High school diploma or equivalent
U.S. employment
144,260
673,430
Job growth (10-year)
-8.1%
1.2%
Category
Production & Manufacturing
Production & Manufacturing
Top-paying state
District of Columbia
Wyoming

Pay by state

States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Printing Press Operators median pay.

State
Printing Press Operators
First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers
District of Columbia
$116,630
$80,030
Massachusetts
$53,050
$79,920
New Jersey
$50,430
$81,110
Washington
$49,800
$79,310
Minnesota
$48,560
$78,550
New Hampshire
$48,410
$79,310
Colorado
$47,860
$78,890
New York
$47,860
$78,580
Maryland
$47,840
$78,520
Maine
$47,430
$78,970
Alaska
$46,460
$77,960
Connecticut
$45,670
$83,150
Rhode Island
$45,380
$81,650
Delaware
$44,600
$79,100
Wyoming
$40,760
$90,390

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025. Highlighted value is higher in each row.

Common questions

Who earns more, Printing Press Operators or First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers?

First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers earn more nationally. The median is $45,780 for Printing Press Operators versus $74,450 for First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers, a difference of $29K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.

Which has better job growth, Printing Press Operators or First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers?

First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers has the better 10-year outlook at 1.2% projected growth, compared to -8.1% for the other field. Both are from BLS Employment Projections.

Which requires more education, Printing Press Operators or First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers?

Printing Press Operators typically requires high school diploma or equivalent. First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers requires high school diploma or equivalent. Education requirements vary by employer and state licensing board.

Where do Printing Press Operators get paid the most?

District of Columbia is the top-paying state for Printing Press Operators at $116,630/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.

How does Printing Press Operators vs. First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers pay differ by state?

The gap varies significantly by state. In District of Columbia, Printing Press Operators earn $116,630 vs. $80,030 for First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.

Full Printing Press Operators salary breakdownView →Full First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers salary breakdownView →Best cities for Printing Press Operators by take-home payExplore →Best cities for First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers by take-home payExplore →How to become a printing press operatorsGuide →How to become a first-line supervisors of production and operating workersGuide →