What they do
Set up and operate digital, letterpress, lithographic, flexographic, gravure, or other printing machines. Includes short-run offset printing presses.
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Also called: |
Digital Press Operator, Flexographic Press Operator, Offset Press Operator, Offset Pressman, Press Operator, Pressman, Printer, Printing Press Operator, Printing Pressman, Web Press Operator
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Wages
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Vermont - 2023 |
Percentile1 | Hourly | Yearly |
10% |
$ 15.22 |
$31,660 |
25% |
$ 17.79 |
$37,000 |
Median |
$ 21.39 |
$44,490 |
75% |
$ 24.58 |
$51,120 |
90% |
$ 31.52 |
$65,570 |
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Average |
$ 21.97 |
$45,700 |
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More at CareerOneStop |
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Industries of Employment
United States - 2020 |
Industry | Percent of total |
- Printing and related support activities
| 57% |
| 7% |
- Professional, scientific, and technical services
| 6% |
- Publishing industries (except Internet)
| 5% |
- Administrative and support services
| 4% |
More at BLS |
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Knowledge
People in this career often know a lot about: |
- Mechanical
Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
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- Production and Processing
Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.
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More at O*NET |
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Skills
People in this career often have these skills: |
- Quality Control Analysis
Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.
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- Operations Monitoring
Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
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- Monitoring
Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
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- Operation and Control
Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
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- Active Listening
Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
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More at O*NET |
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Interests
People in this career often prefer these work environments: |
- Realistic
Work involves designing, building, or repairing of equipment, materials, or structures, engaging in physical activity, or working outdoors. Realistic occupations are often associated with engineering, mechanics and electronics, construction, woodworking, transportation, machine operation, agriculture, animal services, physical or manual labor, athletics, or protective services.
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- Conventional
Work involves following procedures and regulations to organize information or data, typically in a business setting. Conventional occupations are often associated with office work, accounting, mathematics/statistics, information technology, finance, or human resources.
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What are your interests? Take the O*NET Interest Profiler |
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Work Styles
People in this career will do well at jobs that need: |
- Attention to Detail
Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
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- Dependability
Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
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- Independence
Job requires developing one's own ways of doing things, guiding oneself with little or no supervision, and depending on oneself to get things done.
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- Integrity
Job requires being honest and ethical.
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- Stress Tolerance
Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high-stress situations.
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More at O*NET |
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Tasks
On the job, you would: |
- Start presses and pull proofs to check for ink coverage and density, alignment, and registration.
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- Examine job orders to determine quantities to be printed, stock specifications, colors, or special printing instructions.
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- Adjust ink fountain flow rates.
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- Verify that paper and ink meet the specifications for a given job.
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- Collect and inspect random samples during print runs to identify any necessary adjustments.
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More at O*NET |
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Related Occupations
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Career Video
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Projected Employment
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Vermont |
2020 employment |
342 |
2030 employment |
361 |
Annual percent change (compounded) |
0.5% |
Annual projected job openings (due to change and separations) |
40 |
More at Occupational Projections |
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Education and Experience:
- Typical education needed for entry
High school diploma or equivalent
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- Work experience in a related occupation
None
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- Typical on-the-job training needed to attain competency
Moderate-term on-the-job training
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Based on BLS Education and Training Classifications |
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Physical Work Activity
Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling materials. |
- Physical activity is Very Important
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- Level of activity is Moderate
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Low | | High |
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Job Zone
Some Preparation Needed |
- Specific Vocational Preparation Range
(4.0 to < 6.0) - A typical worker will require
over 3 months up to and including 1 year
of training to achieve average performance in this occupation.
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Based on O*Net Job Zones and SVP |
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Education Level
How much education do most people in this career have? |
Education level | | Percent of U.S. Workers |
Doctoral or professional degree or post-MA certificate | | 0% |
Master's degree or post-BA certificate | | 0% |
Bachelor's degree | | 0% |
Associate's degree | | 0% |
Certificate or some college, no degree | | 26% |
High school diploma or equivalent | | 73% |
Less than high school diploma | | 1% |
More at O*NET |
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Abilities
People in this career often have talent in: |
- Near Vision
The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
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- Control Precision
The ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehicle to exact positions.
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- Problem Sensitivity
The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing that there is a problem.
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- Arm-Hand Steadiness
The ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position.
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- Manual Dexterity
The ability to quickly move your hand, your hand together with your arm, or your two hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
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More at O*NET |
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Work Activities
In general, what you might do: |
- Controlling Machines and Processes
Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).
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- Making Decisions and Solving Problems
Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
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- Getting Information
Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
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- Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work
Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
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- Scheduling Work and Activities
Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
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More at O*NET |
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Detailed Work Activities
What you might do in a day: |
- Inspected printed materials or other images to verify quality.
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- Operate photographic developing or print production equipment.
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- Read work orders or other instructions to determine product specifications or materials requirements.
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- Review blueprints or other instructions to determine operational methods or sequences.
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- Adjust equipment controls to regulate flow of production materials or products.
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More at O*NET |
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Other Resources
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- CareerOneStop
resource for job seekers, students, businessess and career professionals
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- O*NET Online
nation's primary source of occupational information
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