How Much Does a Prepress Technician Make? (2025)
A prepress technician jobs role involves preparing and creating offset printing or flexo press plates based on job specifications, using platemaking, testing, and computer equipment such as Adobe Creative Suite. They inspect plates for quality, maintain production records, clean equipment, manage supplies, and ensure all work follows quality and safety procedures.
The salary of prepress technicians can shift considerably depending on factors such as education, experience, location, specialized skills, and industry demand.
This article will provide a comprehensive overview of salary expectations for prepress technicians, along with a detailed examination of their job responsibilities and the outlook for the profession in the coming
What Does a Prepress Technician do?
A prepress technician prepares, and proofs text and images submitted by designers and clients, converting them into finished pages suitable for printing. This procedure encompasses digital and photographic typesetting to guarantee accuracy and visual quality, especially in color reproduction. They manufacture offset or flexographic press plates based on job specifications utilizing platemaking, testing, and computer technology, and conduct quality checks to identify problems.
Furthermore, they uphold comprehensive production documentation, sanitize processing apparatus, oversee supply inventories, and adhere to all mandated quality and safety protocols to guarantee efficient and precise print production. Their work supports various areas of printing, including newspapers and magazines, and delivers printed products that meet client specifications.
What is Prepress Technician Salary Overview?
As of October 3, 2025, the average salary for prepress technicians in the United States is $49,490. Salaries typically range from $40,320 to $59,424, with most prepress technicians earning between $44,690 and $54,690.
Prepress technicians generally earn an average of $24 per hour, with rates ranging from $21 to $26 per hour. On a weekly basis, their earnings average $952, with weekly pay varying between $859 and $1,052 per person.
The median total compensation for a prepress technician, including salary and bonuses, is $50,290 per year, with variations based on different percentiles.
| Percentile | Salary + Bonus |
|---|---|
| 10% Percentile | $32,905 |
| 25% Percentile | $41,190 |
| 50% Percentile (Median) | $50,290 |
| 75% Percentile | $60,490 |
| 90% Percentile | $69,777 |
The national average total compensation for a prepress technician is $74,513, which includes base salary, bonuses, and the value of benefits such as healthcare, time off, and social security. Here's the breakdown:
| Core Compensation | Median | % of Total |
|---|---|---|
| Base Salary | $49,490 | 66.4% |
| Bonus | $800 | 1.1% |
| Value of Benefits | Median | % of Total |
|---|---|---|
| Social Security | $3,847 | 5.2% |
| 401K/403B | $2,112 | 2.8% |
| Disability | $1,006 | 1.3% |
| Healthcare | $8,352 | 11.2% |
| Pension | $2,716 | 3.6% |
| Time Off | $6,190 | 8.3% |
| Total Compensation | $74,513 | 100% |
What Can Affect Prepress Technician's Salaries?
The prepress technician salary can be heavily influenced by factors such as experience, location, education, and skill and opportunity set. Prepress technicians are workers whose compensation can vary depending on how their skills meet the needs of people and industries they serve.
Employment prospects for prepress technicians depend on industry demand, technology adoption, and market trends.
By Experience Level
An entry-level prepress technician with less than a year of experience earns around $48,630. With 1 to 2 years of experience, the average prepress technician salary increases to $49,642. Meanwhile, those with over 8 years of experience can expect to make about $52,154.
| Experience level | Salary |
|---|---|
| Entry-level Prepress Technician | $48,630 |
| Intermediate-level Prepress Technician | $49,642 |
| Senior-level Prepress Technician | $51,774 |
| Specialist-level Prepress Technician | $52,002 |
| Expert-level Prepress Technician | $52,154 |
By Geographic Location
The salary for prepress technicians across the United States vary significantly from state to state, influenced by factors such as cost of living, local economies, and the presence of specific industries and services.
Among the top cities, San Jose, CA reports the highest median salary at $62,490, while Bridgeport, CT and Newark, NJ have lower median salaries at $55,990 and $56,090, respectively.
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| San Jose, CA | $62,490 |
| San Francisco, CA | $61,890 |
| Oakland, CA | $60,490 |
| New York, NY | $57,390 |
| Queens Village, NY | $56,990 |
| Paramus, NJ | $56,590 |
| Passaic, NJ | $56,590 |
| Bergenfield, NJ | $56,490 |
| Stamford, CT | $56,490 |
| Huntington, NY | $56,390 |
| Newark, NJ | $56,090 |
| Bridgeport, CT | $55,990 |
By Skills
The salary for prepress technicians tends to rise with the acquisition of high-demand skills. Based on Salary.com's Real-time Job Posting Salary Data Report, a prepress technician can earn a 9.41% salary increase by having equipment maintenance skills, while those with computer-controlled machinery skills can see a 9.09% boost. The demand for these skills is 10.60% and 10.70%, respectively.
Other skills that may lead to a higher salary for prepress technicians include:
| Skill | Demand | Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Equipment Maintenance | 10.60% | 9.41% |
| Computer Controlled Machinery | 10.70% | 9.09% |
| Lean Manufacturing | 10.80% | 9.01% |
| Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) | 10.80% | 8.64% |
| Material Handling | 10.50% | 8.57% |
| Packaging | 10.90% | 8.32% |
How to Become a Prepress Technician?
Becoming a press technician involves formatting and proofing text and images from designers and clients into print-ready pages, including digital and photo typesetting, and may involve producing printing plates. Here's a simplified breakdown of the steps to become a prepress technician:
- Get the right education: To become a prepress technician, you typically need a high school diploma or equivalent to qualify for entry-level roles in printing or graphic production. Some technicians also choose to take courses in graphic design, printing technology, or computer graphics to strengthen their technical skills and job readiness.
- Pursue training: You can become a prepress technician by gaining 1-3 years of hands-on training in printing or graphic production, often starting with entry-level roles under moderate supervision. During this time, you'll work closely with a supervisor or manager to develop full proficiency in preparing and inspecting materials for the printing process.
- Gain experience: To become a prepress technician, gaining hands-on experience is key, starting from entry-level positions that typically earn around $48,630 annually. As you advance through intermediate to expert levels, your salary can increase, reaching up to about $52,154 while developing specialized skills in the field.
What are the FAQs About Prepress Technicians?
Here are some FAQs for better understanding:
What does a Prepress Technician do?
A prepress technician is responsible for preparing materials for printing and ensuring they meet quality standards. Their duties include:
- Creating offset or flexo press plates according to job specifications using platemaking, testing, and computer equipment.
- Performing quality inspections of plates to ensure they meet specifications and identifying imperfections
- Maintaining production records according to required protocols.
- Cleaning processing equipment and maintaining supply inventory.
- Following all required quality and safety procedures.
What is the average salary for a Prepress Technician?
The average annual salary for a prepress technician is $49,490. If you find you're looking for an easy salary breakdown, the average hourly rate for a prepress technician is $24, the average weekly earnings are $952, and the average monthly salary is $4,124.
What is the lowest salary for a Prepress Technician?
As of October 3, 2025, the lowest salary for prepress technicians is $40,320 annually, placing them in the 10th percentile. This amounts to $19 per hour, equivalent to $775 per week, or $3,360 per month.
