SOC 51-5112 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Printing Press Operators — Reading
Reading, PA · 10 metro areas compared
At $47,240, median pay for Printing Press Operators in Reading, PA tracks the national median of $45,780 closely.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
At $47,240, median pay for Printing Press Operators in Reading, PA tracks the national median of $45,780 closely. Pay ranges from under $35,010 at the tenth percentile to more than $64,430 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $37,110 to $57,330.
The area has 300 jobs in this occupation, giving a location quotient of 1.83 — a measure of how concentrated the occupation is here relative to the country as a whole. Within the state, Lancaster records the highest median at $48,650. Of the 398 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 274th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $35,010 | −23.5% |
| 25th | $37,110 | −18.9% |
| Median (50th) | $47,240 | +3.2% |
| 75th | $57,330 | +25.2% |
| 90th | $64,430 | +40.7% |
| Mean | $48,120 | +5.1% |
Other metro areas in Pennsylvania
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lancaster | $48,650 | 440 | |
| 2 | Philadelphia | $48,610 | 2,910 | |
| 3 | Lebanon | $47,380 | 90 | |
| 4 | York | $47,370 | 520 | |
| 5 | Scranton | $47,340 | 450 | |
| 6 | Pittsburgh | $47,150 | 1,080 | |
| 7 | Allentown | $47,110 | 380 | |
| 8 | Williamsport | $46,570 | 70 | |
| 9 | Gettysburg | $46,520 | 80 | |
| 10 | Harrisburg | $45,820 | 420 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Reading run 2.4% below the national average, so the median of $47,240 goes as far as $48,402 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 5.7% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$47,240as reported by BLSLocal price level
97.6US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$48,402US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $47,240 a year, 3.2% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $35,010 to $64,430 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 300 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Lancaster, at $48,650.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Printing Press Operators in Reading, PA?
The median annual wage is $47,240, or $22.71 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $45,780, so pay in Reading, PA is 3.2% higher. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in Reading, PA earns more than $64,430 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $35,010 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in Lancaster, at $48,650 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 300 jobs in this occupation in Reading, PA. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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