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AI Work Index

Headline risk

26%

Moderate Risk

Printing press operators

United States AI Work IndexISCO 7321crosswalk_exact

United States AI Work Index tracks this occupation on the shared structural baseline and then layers on local demand resilience, wages, and confidence.

150.2 current · 138 projectedConfidence medium

Why This Score

Tasks 100%

Share of job tasks that overlap with current AI capabilities

Wage $45K

Median annual wage

Demand -8%

Projected employment change over 10 years

Preparation Zone 2

Typical preparation needed for this occupation

Occupation profile

Set up and operate digital, letterpress, lithographic, flexographic, gravure, or other printing machines. Includes short-run offset printing presses.

Task evidence

100% weighted task match · 0% effective coverage

Scores combine AI task overlap, human advantages, and local demand. How it works

United States Now

Median Wage

USD 45,160

Employment 2024

150.2K

Projected Change (2024–34)

-8.1%

Openings (2024–34)

13.7K

Wage distribution

Bottom 10%: USD 31,45025th pctl: USD 36,970Median: USD 45,16075th pctl: USD 54,340Top 10%: USD 63,060

Demand outlook

Projections published, but no prose outlook available.

Education: High school diploma or equivalent Experience: —

Role Profile

Detail orientedProblem solving and decision makingFine motor

Tasks

  • 1. Verify that paper and ink meet the specifications for a given job. AI use: 0%
  • 2. Collect and inspect random samples during print runs to identify any necessary adjustments. AI use: 0%
  • 3. Examine job orders to determine quantities to be printed, stock specifications, colors, or special printing instructions. AI use: 0%
  • 4. Start presses and pull proofs to check for ink coverage and density, alignment, and registration. AI use: 0%
  • 5. Load presses with paper and make necessary adjustments, according to paper size. AI use: 0%
  • 6. Change press plates, blankets, or cylinders, as required. AI use: 0%

Technologies

Adobe AcrobatAdobe IllustratorAdobe InDesignAdobe PhotoshopMicrosoft ExcelMicrosoft Office software

Requirements

Work context

Indoors, Environmentally Controlled 5.0/5
Time Pressure 4.8/5
Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls 4.7/5
Importance of Being Exact or Accurate 4.7/5
Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams 4.6/5
Exposed to Contaminants 4.5/5

Worker profile

Median age 44.1 · 142K employed

Under 25: 9% · 25–54: 61% · 55+: 31%

Related

No direct US role match is available yet for this occupation.