GITNUXREPORT 2026

Hr In The Printing Industry Statistics

The printing industry faces workforce challenges as older workers retire amid struggles to attract younger talent.

Min-ji Park

Research Analyst focused on sustainability and consumer trends.

First published: Feb 13, 2026

Our Commitment to Accuracy

Rigorous fact-checking · Reputable sources · Regular updatesLearn more

Statistic 1

Average printing wage is $22.57/hour, 10% below national manufacturing average

Statistic 2

65% of printing firms offer health insurance, with 80% coverage rate

Statistic 3

Annual bonuses average 8% of salary in printing management

Statistic 4

401(k) matching at 4% provided by 52% of printing companies

Statistic 5

Overtime pay premiums average 1.5x in printing

Statistic 6

Paid vacation averages 15 days/year for printing workers with 5+ years

Statistic 7

Gender pay gap in printing is 18%, higher in production roles

Statistic 8

Shift differentials add 10-15% to printing night wages

Statistic 9

45% of printing employees receive performance-based raises averaging 3.2%

Statistic 10

Tuition reimbursement up to $5,250/year for 38% of printing staff

Statistic 11

Printing prepress tech median salary $52,000

Statistic 12

Bindery workers earn average $18.50/hour

Statistic 13

55% printing firms increased wages 5%+ in 2023 to combat inflation

Statistic 14

Profit sharing reaches 12% of printing executives' comp

Statistic 15

Dental/vision benefits cover 70% of printing workforce costs

Statistic 16

Printing press operators median $20.80/hour

Statistic 17

Longevity pay increments 2%/year after 10 years in 25% firms

Statistic 18

Total comp package averages $65,000 for printing supervisors

Statistic 19

28% of printing benefits budget on wellness incentives

Statistic 20

COLA adjustments averaged 3.5% in printing 2023

Statistic 21

In 2022, the printing industry employed approximately 413,200 workers in the United States

Statistic 22

28% of printing industry workers were aged 55 and older in 2021, compared to 23% in the overall workforce

Statistic 23

Women make up 32% of the printing workforce, primarily in bindery and finishing roles

Statistic 24

45% of printing employees have a high school diploma or less as their highest education level

Statistic 25

Hispanic or Latino workers constitute 22% of the printing industry labor force in 2023

Statistic 26

The median age of printing workers is 44.2 years, higher than the national median of 42.3

Statistic 27

15% of printing industry employees are veterans, above the national average of 6%

Statistic 28

Black or African American workers represent 12% of the printing workforce

Statistic 29

60% of printing workers are full-time employees, with part-time roles common in seasonal peaks

Statistic 30

Asian workers comprise 4% of the printing industry, concentrated in prepress technicians

Statistic 31

35% of printing supervisors have college degrees, up from 25% in 2010

Statistic 32

Union membership in printing stands at 8.5%, down from 15% in 2000

Statistic 33

18% of printing workers are immigrants, primarily from Mexico and Central America

Statistic 34

Entry-level printing roles have 55% male dominance

Statistic 35

Baby boomers (55+) hold 25% of skilled trade positions in printing

Statistic 36

Gen Z (under 25) represents only 9% of printing workforce due to digital shift

Statistic 37

42% of printing workers live in suburban areas

Statistic 38

Disability rate among printing workers is 7%, higher due to physical demands

Statistic 39

Printing industry has 2.1% unemployment rate in 2023, below national 3.8%

Statistic 40

52% of printing executives are over 50 years old

Statistic 41

65% of printing firms report difficulty hiring due to skills gap in 2023

Statistic 42

Average time-to-hire for printing technicians is 45 days, 20% longer than manufacturing average

Statistic 43

40% of printing job openings are filled via employee referrals

Statistic 44

Online job boards account for 25% of printing hires, with LinkedIn leading at 15%

Statistic 45

55% of printing companies use apprenticeships for recruitment

Statistic 46

Cost per hire in printing averages $4,200, highest for press operators at $5,100

Statistic 47

30% of printing recruiters report ghosting by candidates as top issue

Statistic 48

Diversity hiring initiatives increased by 22% in printing firms since 2020

Statistic 49

70% of printing jobs require vocational training certifications for hiring

Statistic 50

Social media sourcing yields 18% of printing hires, up 50% from 2019

Statistic 51

48% of printing managers use AI tools for resume screening in 2023

Statistic 52

Entry-level printing roles see 35% applicant drop-off due to relocation reluctance

Statistic 53

62% of printing firms partner with trade schools for recruitment pipelines

Statistic 54

Female candidate pool for printing roles grew 15% with targeted campaigns

Statistic 55

25% of printing hires come from temp-to-perm conversions

Statistic 56

Recruitment budgets in printing rose 12% YoY to address shortages

Statistic 57

41% of printing job ads emphasize sustainability skills for attraction

Statistic 58

Veteran hiring programs cover 20% of printing new hires

Statistic 59

Average printing recruiter handles 150 requisitions annually

Statistic 60

75% of printing firms offer signing bonuses for skilled trades in 2023

Statistic 61

Printing turnover rate averages 18% annually, higher than manufacturing's 12%

Statistic 62

42% of printing quits due to better pay elsewhere

Statistic 63

Retention bonuses offered by 55% of printing firms

Statistic 64

Employee engagement scores in printing average 65/100

Statistic 65

Flexible scheduling retains 25% more printing workers

Statistic 66

30% voluntary turnover linked to career stagnation in printing

Statistic 67

Exit interviews show work-life balance as top retention factor (48%)

Statistic 68

Printing firms with wellness programs see 15% lower turnover

Statistic 69

Internal promotions retain 35% more skilled printing talent

Statistic 70

Burnout causes 22% of printing departures

Statistic 71

70% of printing stayers cite company culture as key

Statistic 72

Hybrid work models adopted by 20% of printing firms, boosting retention 18%

Statistic 73

Recognition programs reduce printing turnover by 12%

Statistic 74

28% turnover in first year for printing hires without mentorship

Statistic 75

Loyalty tenure averages 7.2 years in printing

Statistic 76

DEI initiatives improve printing retention by 20%

Statistic 77

Overtime overload linked to 35% of printing quits

Statistic 78

Feedback surveys predict 80% of printing attrition risks

Statistic 79

Printing industry invests $1,200 per new hire in onboarding

Statistic 80

60% of printing workers receive 40+ hours of annual training

Statistic 81

Digital printing skills training increased by 35% post-2020

Statistic 82

45% of printing firms use e-learning platforms for upskilling

Statistic 83

Apprenticeship completion rate in printing is 78%, above national 65%

Statistic 84

Safety training hours average 24 per employee yearly in printing

Statistic 85

52% of printing training budgets allocated to software proficiency

Statistic 86

Leadership development programs reach 30% of printing supervisors

Statistic 87

Cross-training reduces printing downtime by 22%, per training surveys

Statistic 88

68% of printing employees complete certifications via employer sponsorship

Statistic 89

VR training adoption in printing plants hit 15% in 2023

Statistic 90

Soft skills training covers 25% of printing programs, focusing on teamwork

Statistic 91

Printing firms spend 2.5% of payroll on training, above manufacturing 1.8%

Statistic 92

40 hours average induction training for new printing hires

Statistic 93

Sustainability training mandatory for 55% of printing staff

Statistic 94

Upskilling ROI in printing measures 4:1 for digital transitions

Statistic 95

33% of printing workers lack formal training in cybersecurity

Statistic 96

Mentor programs boost printing skill retention by 28%

Statistic 97

Annual training satisfaction in printing is 82%

1/97

Sources

Trusted by 500+ publications

+497

While many industries grapple with digital disruption, the resilient U.S. printing industry employs over 413,200 dedicated workers—a mature, skilled, and surprisingly diverse workforce where nearly one-third of employees are 55 or older, women hold key operational roles, and companies are urgently adapting their HR strategies to close a critical skills gap and retain a generation of valuable talent.

Key Takeaways

In 2022, the printing industry employed approximately 413,200 workers in the United States
28% of printing industry workers were aged 55 and older in 2021, compared to 23% in the overall workforce
Women make up 32% of the printing workforce, primarily in bindery and finishing roles
65% of printing firms report difficulty hiring due to skills gap in 2023
Average time-to-hire for printing technicians is 45 days, 20% longer than manufacturing average
40% of printing job openings are filled via employee referrals
Printing industry invests $1,200 per new hire in onboarding
60% of printing workers receive 40+ hours of annual training
Digital printing skills training increased by 35% post-2020
Printing turnover rate averages 18% annually, higher than manufacturing's 12%
42% of printing quits due to better pay elsewhere
Retention bonuses offered by 55% of printing firms
Average printing wage is $22.57/hour, 10% below national manufacturing average
65% of printing firms offer health insurance, with 80% coverage rate
Annual bonuses average 8% of salary in printing management

The printing industry faces workforce challenges as older workers retire amid struggles to attract younger talent.

Compensation

Average printing wage is $22.57/hour, 10% below national manufacturing average
65% of printing firms offer health insurance, with 80% coverage rate
Annual bonuses average 8% of salary in printing management
401(k) matching at 4% provided by 52% of printing companies
Overtime pay premiums average 1.5x in printing
Paid vacation averages 15 days/year for printing workers with 5+ years
Gender pay gap in printing is 18%, higher in production roles
Shift differentials add 10-15% to printing night wages
45% of printing employees receive performance-based raises averaging 3.2%
Tuition reimbursement up to $5,250/year for 38% of printing staff
Printing prepress tech median salary $52,000
Bindery workers earn average $18.50/hour
55% printing firms increased wages 5%+ in 2023 to combat inflation
Profit sharing reaches 12% of printing executives' comp
Dental/vision benefits cover 70% of printing workforce costs
Printing press operators median $20.80/hour
Longevity pay increments 2%/year after 10 years in 25% firms
Total comp package averages $65,000 for printing supervisors
28% of printing benefits budget on wellness incentives
COLA adjustments averaged 3.5% in printing 2023

Compensation Interpretation

The printing industry offers a surprisingly competitive package of specialized benefits and steady wage growth, yet its persistent gender pay gap and base pay lagging behind manufacturing peers reveal an old press that still needs some modern calibration.

Demographics

In 2022, the printing industry employed approximately 413,200 workers in the United States
28% of printing industry workers were aged 55 and older in 2021, compared to 23% in the overall workforce
Women make up 32% of the printing workforce, primarily in bindery and finishing roles
45% of printing employees have a high school diploma or less as their highest education level
Hispanic or Latino workers constitute 22% of the printing industry labor force in 2023
The median age of printing workers is 44.2 years, higher than the national median of 42.3
15% of printing industry employees are veterans, above the national average of 6%
Black or African American workers represent 12% of the printing workforce
60% of printing workers are full-time employees, with part-time roles common in seasonal peaks
Asian workers comprise 4% of the printing industry, concentrated in prepress technicians
35% of printing supervisors have college degrees, up from 25% in 2010
Union membership in printing stands at 8.5%, down from 15% in 2000
18% of printing workers are immigrants, primarily from Mexico and Central America
Entry-level printing roles have 55% male dominance
Baby boomers (55+) hold 25% of skilled trade positions in printing
Gen Z (under 25) represents only 9% of printing workforce due to digital shift
42% of printing workers live in suburban areas
Disability rate among printing workers is 7%, higher due to physical demands
Printing industry has 2.1% unemployment rate in 2023, below national 3.8%
52% of printing executives are over 50 years old

Demographics Interpretation

The printing industry remains a crucial, if graying, American trade where experience is valued, veterans thrive, and opportunity exists for those without advanced degrees, yet its future depends on attracting younger, diverse talent to an evolving field.

Recruitment

65% of printing firms report difficulty hiring due to skills gap in 2023
Average time-to-hire for printing technicians is 45 days, 20% longer than manufacturing average
40% of printing job openings are filled via employee referrals
Online job boards account for 25% of printing hires, with LinkedIn leading at 15%
55% of printing companies use apprenticeships for recruitment
Cost per hire in printing averages $4,200, highest for press operators at $5,100
30% of printing recruiters report ghosting by candidates as top issue
Diversity hiring initiatives increased by 22% in printing firms since 2020
70% of printing jobs require vocational training certifications for hiring
Social media sourcing yields 18% of printing hires, up 50% from 2019
48% of printing managers use AI tools for resume screening in 2023
Entry-level printing roles see 35% applicant drop-off due to relocation reluctance
62% of printing firms partner with trade schools for recruitment pipelines
Female candidate pool for printing roles grew 15% with targeted campaigns
25% of printing hires come from temp-to-perm conversions
Recruitment budgets in printing rose 12% YoY to address shortages
41% of printing job ads emphasize sustainability skills for attraction
Veteran hiring programs cover 20% of printing new hires
Average printing recruiter handles 150 requisitions annually
75% of printing firms offer signing bonuses for skilled trades in 2023

Recruitment Interpretation

The printing industry's hiring paradox is that while we've become masterful at printing on demand, we're still struggling to print our own future workforce, relying heavily on an aging network of word-of-mouth, expensive apprenticeships, and hopeful LinkedIn messages to close a skills gap so wide it’s causing recruiters to get ghosted almost as often as they offer signing bonuses.

Retention

Printing turnover rate averages 18% annually, higher than manufacturing's 12%
42% of printing quits due to better pay elsewhere
Retention bonuses offered by 55% of printing firms
Employee engagement scores in printing average 65/100
Flexible scheduling retains 25% more printing workers
30% voluntary turnover linked to career stagnation in printing
Exit interviews show work-life balance as top retention factor (48%)
Printing firms with wellness programs see 15% lower turnover
Internal promotions retain 35% more skilled printing talent
Burnout causes 22% of printing departures
70% of printing stayers cite company culture as key
Hybrid work models adopted by 20% of printing firms, boosting retention 18%
Recognition programs reduce printing turnover by 12%
28% turnover in first year for printing hires without mentorship
Loyalty tenure averages 7.2 years in printing
DEI initiatives improve printing retention by 20%
Overtime overload linked to 35% of printing quits
Feedback surveys predict 80% of printing attrition risks

Retention Interpretation

The printing industry's retention crisis reveals a stark, human contradiction: employees loudly demand better pay, schedules, and career paths, yet the data whispers that they'll ultimately stay for a culture that respects their whole lives.

Training

Printing industry invests $1,200 per new hire in onboarding
60% of printing workers receive 40+ hours of annual training
Digital printing skills training increased by 35% post-2020
45% of printing firms use e-learning platforms for upskilling
Apprenticeship completion rate in printing is 78%, above national 65%
Safety training hours average 24 per employee yearly in printing
52% of printing training budgets allocated to software proficiency
Leadership development programs reach 30% of printing supervisors
Cross-training reduces printing downtime by 22%, per training surveys
68% of printing employees complete certifications via employer sponsorship
VR training adoption in printing plants hit 15% in 2023
Soft skills training covers 25% of printing programs, focusing on teamwork
Printing firms spend 2.5% of payroll on training, above manufacturing 1.8%
40 hours average induction training for new printing hires
Sustainability training mandatory for 55% of printing staff
Upskilling ROI in printing measures 4:1 for digital transitions
33% of printing workers lack formal training in cybersecurity
Mentor programs boost printing skill retention by 28%
Annual training satisfaction in printing is 82%

Training Interpretation

The printing industry is wisely betting on its people, investing heavily in onboarding, upskilling, and apprenticeships to create a modern, safe, and efficient workforce that’s clearly more than just ink-stained wretches.

Sources & References

Logos provided by Logo.dev