Office Machine Operators, Except Computer
SOC code 43-9071 · O*NET-SOC 43-9071.00 · Little to some preparation needed · Office and administration
Office Machine Operators, Except Computer pay
U.S. national figures, May 2025 BLS survey · How we got this number
Median pay
$40,960
a year
Hourly
$19.69
per hour
The solid band is the middle 50% of workers; the bar spans the 10th to 90th percentile.
Average pay
$43,220
$20.78 per hour
Middle 50%
$36,090 – $47,910
25th to 75th percentile
Full spread
$31,750 – $57,960
10th to 90th percentile
People employed
25,130
nationwide
National U.S. figure, May 2025. Local pay can be higher or lower.
- 10th percentile
- $31,750
- $15.27/hr
- 25th percentile
- $36,090
- $17.35/hr
- Median percentile
- $40,960
- $19.69/hr
- 75th percentile
- $47,910
- $23.03/hr
- 90th percentile
- $57,960
- $27.87/hr
What do office machine operators, except computer do?
Operate one or more of a variety of office machines, such as photocopying, photographic, and duplicating machines, or other office machines.
The tasks that matter most day to day
- Read job orders to determine the type of work to be done, the quantities to be produced, and the materials needed.
- Deliver completed work.
- Place original copies in feed trays, feed originals into feed rolls, or position originals on tables beneath camera lenses.
- Sort, assemble, and proof completed work.
- Operate office machines such as high speed business photocopiers, readers, scanners, addressing machines, stencil-cutting machines, microfilm readers or printers, folding and inserting machines, bursters, and binder machines.
- Complete records of production, including work volumes and outputs, materials used, and any backlogs.
- Compute prices for services and receive payment, or provide supervisors with billing information.
- Set up and adjust machines, regulating factors such as speed, ink flow, focus, and number of copies.
How to qualify for this work
Most people in this role hold high school diploma or the equivalent (such as a ged) — 68% of workers surveyed reported it as their level of education.
Preparation level: zone 2 — Little to some preparation needed
- Education
- Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
- Experience
- Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.
- Training
- Ranges from a few days to one year of on-the-job training.
Education reported by people doing this job
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)68%
- Bachelor's Degree17%
- Post-Secondary Certificate9%
- Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree6%
Common questions
How much does an office machine operators, except computer earn?
The national median is $40,960 a year. The full range runs from $31,750 at the 10th percentile to $57,960 at the 90th — entry pay sits closer to the lower figure, and experience, licensing and specialisation move you up the range.
Can you become an office machine operators, except computer without a degree?
Yes — this occupation sits in preparation zone 2, meaning the typical entry route is usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not. A four-year degree is not the standard requirement, though licensing or certification may still apply.
Skills and knowledge you need
Core skills
- Reading Comprehension3.1/5
- Active Listening3.0/5
- Speaking3.0/5
- Critical Thinking3.0/5
- Monitoring3.0/5
- Writing2.9/5
Knowledge areas
- English Language3.9/5
- Customer and Personal Service3.8/5
- Production and Processing3.4/5
- Computers and Electronics3.0/5
- Mathematics2.9/5
- Administrative2.7/5
Transferable strengths: Operation and Control, Operations Monitoring, Judgment and Decision Making, Time Management.