Print Binding and Finishing Workers earn a median of $42,290 per year ($20.33/hr) (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Employment is projected to fall 17.5% through 2035, with about 2,300 openings a year (BLS EP, 2025–2035). Typical entry-level education: High school diploma or equivalent.
- SOC 51-5113
- Production
- Last updated October 9, 2026
At a glance
Print Binding and Finishing Worker in four numbers
- Median pay
- $42,290a year, or $20.33/hrBLS OEWS, May 2025Lowest 10% $32KTop 10% $59K
US median, all jobs: $50,980
- Projected growth
- -17.5%DecliningBLS EP, 2025–2035This career−17.5%All jobs+3.5%
Projected employment change, 2025–2035 Item Value This career −17.5% All jobs +3.5% - Openings a year
- 2,30032,300 jobs todayBLS EP, 2025–2035
- Jobs in 202532.3K
- Projected 203526.6K
Employment, 2025–2035 Item Value Jobs in 2025 32.3K Projected 2035 26.6K - Typical education
- High schoolneeded to enterBLS EP, 2025–2035; mix: O*NET
- Less than high school4.4%
- High school87.9%
- Certificate3.8%
- Some college1.2%
- Associate's2.8%
Highest education held by print binding and finishing workers Segment Value Less than high school 4.4% High school 87.9% Certificate 3.8% Some college 1.2% Associate's 2.8%
Also advertised as: Binder Operator, Bindery Operator, Bindery Technician, Bindery Worker, Book Binder, Custom Bookbinder.
Pay
How much do Print Binding and Finishing Workers make?
Every print binding and finishing worker in the US, by percentile of annual wage
Median
$42,290
Middle half earn $36,910 to $49,130
- 10th
- $32,220
- 25th
- $36,910
- 75th
- $49,130
- 90th
- $59,150
All US occupations: $50,980
| Percentile | Value |
|---|---|
| 10th | $32,220 |
| 25th | $36,910 |
| Median | $42,290 |
| 75th | $49,130 |
| 90th | $59,150 |
| All US occupations | $50,980 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Median annual wage
- $42,290
- Median hourly wage
- $20.33/hr
- Mean annual wage
- $44,460
- People employed
- 33,180
Versus all US occupations
At $42,290, Print Binding and Finishing Workers earn 17% below the $50,980 median across all US occupations, a difference of $8,690 a year.
Versus production occupations
Inside the Production group, where the middle occupation pays $48,030, this is 12% below the group median.
Pay range
The top 10% earn $59,150 or more while the bottom 10% earn $32,220, a gap of 1.8×. That is a typical spread for a US occupation.
Rank in the bank
This median pays more than 9% of the 1,741 occupations in the NueCareer career bank.
Cost of living
District of Columbia posts the highest raw median ($108,080), but once local prices are taken into account Mississippi leads at $105,632 in national-average dollars.
Pay by state
Which states pay Print Binding and Finishing Workers the most?
State medians come from the same OEWS release as the national figures. The cost-of-living column divides each state median by that state's BEA Regional Price Parity, restating pay in national-average dollars so a high-cost state and a low-cost one can be compared directly.
| State | Median | COL-adjusted | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1District of Columbia | $108,080 | $98,343 | 200 |
| 2Mississippi | $91,850 | $105,632 | 110 |
| 3Alaska | $57,200 | $55,882 | 30 |
| 4Vermont | $48,930 | $49,950 | 80 |
| 5New Hampshire | $48,850 | $46,897 | 140 |
| 6North Dakota | $48,760 | $54,812 | 80 |
| 7Minnesota | $48,390 | $49,067 | 1,710 |
| 8Maine | $48,230 | $49,696 | 180 |
| 9Illinois | $47,880 | $47,900 | 1,540 |
| 10Connecticut | $47,750 | $46,086 | 490 |
Job outlook
Is Print Binding and Finishing Worker a growing career?
Employment change over 2025–2035, against every US occupation
Declining. -17.5% projected growth vs 3.5% for all occupations.
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Print Binding and Finishing Workers | −17.5% |
| All US occupations | +3.5% |
Source: BLS EP, 2025–2035
Declining
BLS projects employment of Print Binding and Finishing Workers to change -17.5% over 2025–2035, while total US employment is projected to rise 3.5%. That is 5,600 fewer jobs.
Annual openings
About 2,300 openings are projected each year, 7.1% of the 32,300 jobs that existed in 2025. Most come from workers leaving the occupation, not from growth alone.
Getting in
How to become a Print Binding and Finishing Worker
- 1
Typical entry-level education
High school diploma or equivalent
- 2
Work experience in a related occupation
None
- 3
Typical on-the-job training
Moderate-term on-the-job training
- 4
Preparation needed (O*NET job zone)
Little or no preparation
BLS Employment Projections, 2025–2035; job zone from O*NET 31.0 Database.
What education people in the job have
O*NET incumbent survey: the highest level of education reported by people already working as print binding and finishing workers.
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)87.9%
- Less than a High School Diploma4.4%
- Post-Secondary Certificate3.8%
- Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree2.8%
- Some College Courses1.2%
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED) | 87.9% |
| Less than a High School Diploma | 4.4% |
| Post-Secondary Certificate | 3.8% |
| Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree | 2.8% |
| Some College Courses | 1.2% |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
The work
What does a Print Binding and Finishing Worker do?
Bind books and other publications or finish printed products by hand or machine. May set up binding and finishing machines.
Day-to-day tasks
- Read work orders to determine instructions and specifications for machine set-up.
- Trim edges of books to size, using cutting machines, book trimming machines, or hand cutters.
- Lubricate, clean, or make minor repairs to machine parts to keep machines in working condition.
- Examine stitched, collated, bound, or unbound product samples for defects, such as imperfect bindings, ink spots, torn pages, loose pages, or loose or uncut threads.
- Set up or operate machines that perform binding operations, such as pressing, folding, or trimming.
- Prepare finished books for shipping by wrapping or packing books and stacking boxes on pallets.
- Maintain records, such as daily production records, using specified forms.
- Set up or operate glue machines by filling glue reservoirs, turning switches to activate heating elements, or adjusting glue flow or conveyor speed.
O*NET core tasks, ordered by reported importance.
Working conditions and hours
Where the work happens
Indoors, climate-controlled
NeverEvery dayOutdoors in all weather
NeverEvery dayAlmost never works outdoors.
Physical demands
Sitting
NeverAlmost all the timeStanding
NeverAlmost all the timeOn their feet more than half the working day.
Bending or twisting
NeverAlmost all the time
Working with people
Contact with other people
NoneConstantFace-to-face discussions
NeverEvery dayFace-to-face discussions every day.
Dealing with the public
Not importantExtremely important
Pressure and stakes
Strict deadlines
NeverEvery dayConflict situations
NeverEvery dayCost of a mistake
Not seriousExtremely serious
Autonomy
Freedom to decide
NoneA lot
Conditions: O*NET Work Context survey. Each item has its own scale, so each dot is read against the two answers that end its own line.
Core skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Critical Thinking3.3
- Reading Comprehension3.1
- Monitoring3.1
- Speaking3.0
- Active Listening2.9
- Writing2.8
- Active Learning2.5
- Learning Strategies2.5
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Critical Thinking | 3.3 |
| Reading Comprehension | 3.1 |
| Monitoring | 3.1 |
| Speaking | 3.0 |
| Active Listening | 2.9 |
| Writing | 2.8 |
| Active Learning | 2.5 |
| Learning Strategies | 2.5 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Transferable skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Operations Monitoring3.4
- Judgment and Decision Making3.1
- Complex Problem Solving3.0
- Quality Control Analysis3.0
- Coordination2.9
- Instructing2.9
- Operation and Control2.9
- Equipment Maintenance2.9
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Operations Monitoring | 3.4 |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 3.1 |
| Complex Problem Solving | 3.0 |
| Quality Control Analysis | 3.0 |
| Coordination | 2.9 |
| Instructing | 2.9 |
| Operation and Control | 2.9 |
| Equipment Maintenance | 2.9 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Tools and software
- Electronic mail software · in demand
- Office suite software · in demand
- Spreadsheet software · in demand
- Word processing software · in demand
- Accounting software
- Desktop publishing software
- Enterprise resource planning ERP software
- Internet browser software
- Label making software
- Library software
“In demand” marks an O*NET Employer-Based Hot Technology, software named in real job postings for this occupation.
Personality fit
What personality type suits a Print Binding and Finishing Worker?
O*NET Occupational Interests (RIASEC), scored 1 to 7
| Axis | Print Binding and Finishing Worker |
|---|---|
| Realistic | 5 |
| Investigative | 1 |
| Artistic | 2 |
| Social | 1 |
| Enterprising | 1 |
| Conventional | 5 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
What the work is built around
Day to day this is work built around organising, following procedures and working precisely with data, combined with hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors.
- Conventional5.5
- Realistic5.4
- Artistic2.0
- Social1.5
- Enterprising1.2
- Investigative1.2
Closest MBTI types
NueCareer fit scores: cosine similarity between each MBTI type's interest vector and this occupation's O*NET interest profile. Not a BLS or O*NET figure; the method is documented on our methodology page.
Explore further
Careers related to Print Binding and Finishing Worker
O*NET related occupations
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$50,270median a year
Most earn $37K to $70K
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$46,570median a year
Most earn $36K to $61K
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$38,760median a year
Most earn $29K to $49K
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More production careers
Median annual pay, with print binding and finishing workers highlighted
- Power Plant Operator$102,040
- Tool and Die Maker$64,050
- Machinist$58,750
- Welder$53,750
- Structural Metal Fabricator and Fitter$51,330
- Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operator$50,690
- Print Binding and Finishing Worker$42,290
- Butcher and Meat Cutter$40,140
- Baker$37,160
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Power Plant Operator | $102,040 |
| Tool and Die Maker | $64,050 |
| Machinist | $58,750 |
| Welder | $53,750 |
| Structural Metal Fabricator and Fitter | $51,330 |
| Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operator | $50,690 |
| Print Binding and Finishing Worker | $42,290 |
| Butcher and Meat Cutter | $40,140 |
| Baker | $37,160 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
Lists Print Binding and Finishing Worker appears on
Questions
Print Binding and Finishing Worker: frequently asked questions
How much do Print Binding and Finishing Workers make?
Print Binding and Finishing Workers earn a median of $42,290 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025), 17% below the $50,980 median for all US occupations. That works out at $20.33/hr. The middle half earn between $36,910 and $49,130. The top 10% earn $59,150 or more.
Do you need a degree to become a Print Binding and Finishing Worker?
No. A bachelor's degree is not the norm: BLS reports a high school diploma or equivalent as the typical entry-level education for Print Binding and Finishing Workers. BLS also lists moderate-term on-the-job training as typical on-the-job training. In O*NET's survey of people already doing the job, 87.9% hold high school diploma or the equivalent (such as a ged).
Is Print Binding and Finishing Worker a growing career?
No. BLS projects employment to fall 17.5% over 2025–2035, a loss of 5,600 jobs (BLS EP, 2025–2035). BLS still projects about 2,300 openings a year, mostly from workers retiring or moving to other work.
What does a Print Binding and Finishing Worker do?
Bind books and other publications or finish printed products by hand or machine. A core O*NET task: read work orders to determine instructions and specifications for machine set-up. Employers most often ask for Electronic mail software, Office suite software, Spreadsheet software.
Which states pay Print Binding and Finishing Workers the most?
The highest state medians for Print Binding and Finishing Workers are District of Columbia ($108,080), Mississippi ($91,850), Alaska ($57,200) (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Adjusted for local prices using BEA Regional Price Parities, Mississippi moves to the top at $105,632.
What personality type suits a Print Binding and Finishing Worker?
O*NET scores Print Binding and Finishing Workers highest on the Conventional and Realistic interest areas, so the work mixes organising, following procedures and working precisely with data with hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors. On NueCareer's MBTI-to-interest mapping that lines up most closely with ISTJ personalities. Personality is a fit signal, not a gate. The free NueCareer quiz scores your own profile against all 1,731 careers in the bank.