Production & Manufacturing

How much does a print binding and finishing worker make?

The median print binding and finishing worker in the United States earns $39,820 per year, about $19.14 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all print binding and finishing workers earn more, and half earn less.

Median annual salary
$39,820
Median hourly wage
$19.14 /hr
Employed in the U.S.
36,470

Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024. SOC code 51-5113.

Print binding and finishing worker salary range

Pay for print binding and finishing workers spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $31,110 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $57,980. The average (mean) wage of $43,040 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.

Percentile Annual Hourly
10th percentile $31,110 $14.96 Lowest paid
25th percentile $36,070 $17.34
Median (50th) $39,820 $19.14 Midpoint
75th percentile $48,240 $23.19
90th percentile $57,980 $27.87 Highest paid

Figures are national wage estimates for print binding and finishing workers (SOC 51-5113), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2024.

Print binding and finishing worker salary by state

Where you work changes the paycheck. Print binding and finishing workers earn the most in Mississippi at $89,880 a year, and the least in New Mexico at $30,990. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.

State Median annual Employed
Mississippi $89,880 120
Delaware $57,240 70
Minnesota $47,700 1,860
New Hampshire $47,320 140
Illinois $46,960 2,590
Maryland $46,610 490
New Jersey $45,980 1,490
Colorado $45,330 330
Massachusetts $44,980 720
Alaska $44,830 50
Washington $44,580 500
Oregon $44,300 340
Maine $43,720 260
Pennsylvania $43,720 1,630
Virginia $43,630 970
California $42,980 1,400
South Carolina $42,760 220
New York $41,740 1,410
Vermont $41,690 90
North Carolina $40,340 1,040
Wisconsin $40,190 3,160
West Virginia $40,080 310
South Dakota $40,050 110
Michigan $40,010 1,040
North Dakota $40,010 80
Arkansas $39,430 210
Iowa $39,330 350
Missouri $39,240 820
Georgia $39,010 1,050
Ohio $38,740 1,700
Nevada $38,620 450
Arizona $38,590 390
Utah $38,330 810
Montana $38,210 70
Kentucky $38,190 470
Indiana $37,910 1,380
Hawaii $37,880 50
Oklahoma $37,750 170
Connecticut $37,730 490
Texas $37,630 2,730
Florida $37,290 1,880
Idaho $37,160 30
Alabama $36,470 420
Kansas $36,100 690
Nebraska $35,800 230
Tennessee $35,620 1,120
Louisiana $34,030 260
New Mexico $30,990 60

State median wages for print binding and finishing workers (SOC 51-5113), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2024. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.

Job outlook for print binding and finishing workers

The BLS projects employment of print binding and finishing workers to shrink from 2025 to 2035 (down 17.5%). That is a decline, against 3.5% average growth for all occupations. That works out to roughly 32,300 jobs in 2025 moving toward 26,600 by 2035.

Across the decade, the BLS expects about 2,300 openings a year for print binding and finishing workers. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).

How to become a print binding and finishing worker

The typical entry-level education for print binding and finishing workers is a high school diploma or equivalent, according to the BLS. New hires typically complete moderate-term on-the-job training to reach full competency.

A four-year college degree is usually not required to start, which makes this one of the jobs you can enter without a bachelor's degree. See more high paying jobs without a degree .

Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.

What affects how much a print binding and finishing worker earns

Industry, shift, certifications, and region drive pay, along with overtime. Skilled operators and workers in unionized plants sit near the top of the range.

Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (Mississippi, $89,880) and the lowest (New Mexico, $30,990) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.

About 36,470 people work as print binding and finishing workers in the United States. At $39,820 a year, the job pays below the $49,500 median for all U.S. jobs.

Print binding and finishing worker salary FAQ

How much does a print binding and finishing worker make an hour?

The median hourly wage for a print binding and finishing worker is $19.14. The middle half of print binding and finishing workers earn between $17.34 and $23.19 per hour.

What is the highest print binding and finishing worker salary?

The highest paid 10 percent of print binding and finishing workers earn more than $57,980 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.

How much does a print binding and finishing worker make a year?

The median annual salary for a print binding and finishing worker is $39,820. The average (mean) wage of $43,040 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.

Is being a print binding and finishing worker a well paid job?

At $39,820 a year, a print binding and finishing worker earns below the $49,500 median for all U.S. jobs. About 36,470 people work as print binding and finishing workers in the United States.

Which state pays print binding and finishing workers the most?

Mississippi has the highest median salary for print binding and finishing workers at $89,880 a year. Delaware ($57,240) and Minnesota ($47,700) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2024.

Is being a print binding and finishing worker a good career?

Employment of print binding and finishing workers is projected to shrink 17.5% from 2025 to 2035, a decline, against 3.5% average growth for all occupations. The BLS projects about 2,300 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.

Do you need a degree to become a print binding and finishing worker?

No. The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for print binding and finishing workers as a high school diploma or equivalent, so a four-year degree is usually not required to start.

Related salaries

See more in Production & Manufacturing salaries or browse the highest paying jobs in the U.S.

Sources. National and state wage and employment figures: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024 and the OEWS state files. Growth, openings, education, and training: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program (2025–2035). Every figure on this page is published by the BLS and is shown without adjustment. View the originals at bls.gov/oes and bls.gov/emp. Last updated 2025-04-02.