How much does a prepress technician make?
Answer: A typical prepress technician in the United States makes $48,690 a year (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).
Line up 100 people; this is the one in the middle (median). about 24,000 people work in this job. About the same as the US-wide typical pay ($50,980).
If 100 people had this job
Lowest at bottom-left, highest at top-rightHover over a person to see their yearly pay
Prepress technician pay in the United States (May 2025, median and spread)
| Lower earner (10th from bottom) | Typical person (median) | Higher earner (10th from top) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|---|
| $35,810 | $48,690 | $66,080 | about 24,000 |
| State | Typical person (median) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey | $56,840 | about 880 |
| California | $53,860 | about 2,000 |
| New York | $52,420 | about 1,000 |
| North Carolina | $49,760 | about 600 |
| Illinois | $49,450 | about 680 |
Why does pay differ?
In the United States, experienced workers and people with in-demand skills or valued credentials may earn more. Pay also varies by employer or industry, location, and how complex the work is.
What if you lived in a different state?
Pay varies a lot by state in the USTop 5 and bottom 3 states, typical (median) yearly pay.
What does a prepress technician do?
Format and proof text and images submitted by designers and clients into finished pages that can be printed. Includes digital and photo typesetting. May produce printing plates.
What's a typical day like?
They arrange text and pictures on a computer, check that files are complete, and proofread a preview of the printed page. They fix image or color problems and may use a laser machine to make a printing plate.
How to get this job
After high school (often around 18), U.S. entrants train in printing or graphic arts through a certificate or technical program. They learn layout software hands-on at work; apprenticeships are another option.
Vocational school or a few years' experience (preparation level 3 of 5)
Good for people who like keeping things organized and building and doing.
Did you know?
Some prepress technicians use lasers to turn computer data straight into printing plates—without using film!
Similar jobs
Jobs using similar skills (O*NET)Earn more in the same field
Production jobs that pay a bit moreSources and data
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025 (bls.gov); descriptions and related jobs from O*NET 31.0. Figures as of May 2025, full-time yearly pay (hourly × 2,080 hours). bls.gov/oes · O*NET OnLine
Pages used for the text
- www.onetonline.org/link/summary/51-5111.00
- www.bls.gov/oes/2023/may/oes515111.htm
- www.bls.gov/emp/tables/education-and-training-by-occupation.htm
- www.mynextmove.org/profile/summary/51-5111.00
- www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2015/article/wage-differences.htm
Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025 · 1 USD = 150 JPY