How much does a prepress technician make?
a year · about $23 an hour
A typical prepress technician in the United States makes $48,690 a year, about $23 an hour, about the same as a typical US worker (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).
What do they do?
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.
Did you know? Some prepress technicians use lasers to turn computer data straight into printing plates—without using film!
Is that a lot?
Compared with jobs you knowIf 100 people had this job
Most earn between $35,810 and $66,080How do you become one?
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.
School needed: Vocational school or a few years' experience
Good for people who like keeping things organized and building and doing
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.
Where does it pay most?
Highest in New Jersey ($56,840), lowest in Texas ($38,410).
See every state
Top 5 and bottom 3 states, typical (median) yearly pay.
Jobs like this
Data table and sources
| 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 |
Official definition: 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.
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