by our College Data Analytics TeamA degree in Graphic & Printing Equipment Operator, General Production explores Graphic And Printing Equipment Operator, General Production. A Program That Generally Prepares Individuals To Apply Technical Knowledge And Skills To Plan, Prepare, And Execute A Variety Of Commercial And Industrial Graphic Communications Jobs. Includes Instruction In The Operation And Maintenance Of Mechanical, Electronic, And Digital Graphic, Printing, And Finishing Equipment; And Related Processes. Continue reading for the essential details every graphic & printing equipment operator, general production student should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering graphic & printing equipment operator, general production programs.
In the U.S., graphic & printing equipment operator, general production is a popular field of study, with 314 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Graphic & Printing Equipment Operator, General Production Schools ranking analyzes these 20 schools to determine the best overall colleges for graphic & printing equipment operator, general production students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of graphic & printing equipment operator, general production programs later in this article.
Programs in Graphic & Printing Equipment Operator, General Production build a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations graphic & printing equipment operator, general production graduates commonly enter.
The skill set emphasized by a graphic & printing equipment operator, general production program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Per O*NET surveys, a graphic & printing equipment operator, general production major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several graphic & printing equipment operator, general production degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 31 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 137 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 32 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 114 |
People currently working in careers related to graphic & printing equipment operator, general production tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| High school diploma or equivalent | 50.9% |
| Some college courses | 23.7% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 15.8% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 6.0% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 2.4% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 1.1% |
See the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in graphic & printing equipment operator, general production careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
A degree in graphic & printing equipment operator, general production prepares you for a variety of career paths. Here are some of the most common occupations related to graphic & printing equipment operator, general production.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to graphic & printing equipment operator, general production.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Prepress Technicians and Workers | 442,588 | 12.2% |
| Data Entry Keyers | 418,460 | 10.1% |
| Printing Press Operators | 78,762 | 12.3% |
The U.S. Department of Education tracks median earnings of graphic & printing equipment operator, general production graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. These numbers tend to grow as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $28,061 |
| 4 years | $41,119 |
| 5 years | $47,590 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for graphic & printing equipment operator, general production graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers graphic & printing equipment operator, general production grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Data Entry Keyers | $33,881 |
| Printing Press Operators | $31,814 |
| Prepress Technicians and Workers | $25,852 |
With 20 different graphic & printing equipment operator, general production programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased graphic & printing equipment operator, general production school rankings to help you.
If you are interested in graphic & printing equipment operator, general production, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics, and Special Effects | 6,026 |
| Prepress/Desktop Publishing and Digital Imaging Design | 1,171 |
| Graphic Communications, General | 551 |
| Graphic Communications, Other | 157 |
| Printing Management | 59 |
| Printing Press Operator | 12 |
| Platemaker/Imager | 8 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
