# Print Binding and Finishing Workers

> Bind books and other publications or finish printed products by hand or machine. May set up binding and finishing machines.

- Edition: Data verified Nov 2026 · CollegesRef 2026–27 edition
- Page: https://www.collegesref.com/careers/print-binding-and-finishing-workers
- SOC code: 51-5113.00
- Career family: Production
- Median annual pay: $42,290 (10th percentile $32,220, 90th percentile $59,150)
- Projected growth: Decline, -17.5%
- Openings a year: 2,300
- Typical entry education: High school diploma
- Bright outlook: no
- Data years: BLS 2025 wages · 2025–35 projections

## Interest profile (code CRA)

| Interest area | Score (0–100) |
| --- | ---: |
| Realistic (R) | 74 |
| Investigative (I) | 3 |
| Artistic (A) | 17 |
| Social (S) | 8 |
| Enterprising (E) | 4 |
| Conventional (C) | 75 |

## What you'd do

- Controlling Machines and Processes (importance 82/100)
- Getting Information (importance 80/100)
- Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings (importance 80/100)
- Handling and Moving Objects (importance 76/100)
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems (importance 73/100)
- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events (importance 69/100)
- Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials (importance 68/100)
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates (importance 66/100)
- Judging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or People (importance 65/100)
- Performing General Physical Activities (importance 65/100)

## Skills

Operations Monitoring, Critical Thinking, Judgment and Decision Making, Monitoring, Reading Comprehension, Complex Problem Solving, Quality Control Analysis, Speaking, Active Listening, Coordination

## Knowledge

Administration and Management, Production and Processing, Mechanical, Customer and Personal Service, English Language, Mathematics, Administrative, Education and Training, Computers and Electronics, Sales and Marketing

## Also called

Bander, Binder, Binder Operator, Bindery Associate, Bindery Cutter, Bindery Cutter Operator, Bindery Folder Operator, Bindery Machine Operator, Bindery Machine Set-Up Operator, Bindery Machine Setter

## Related careers

- [Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/paper-goods-machine-setters-operators-and-tenders): $50,270 median pay
- [Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/cutting-and-slicing-machine-setters-operators-and-tenders): $46,570 median pay
- [Adhesive Bonding Machine Operators and Tenders](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/adhesive-bonding-machine-operators-and-tenders): $46,460 median pay
- [Sewing Machine Operators](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/sewing-machine-operators): $36,670 median pay
- [Textile Cutting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/textile-cutting-machine-setters-operators-and-tenders): $38,760 median pay
- [Machine Feeders and Offbearers](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/machine-feeders-and-offbearers): $41,220 median pay

## Sources

- [O*NET Database](https://www.onetcenter.org/database.html), version 31.0 (CC BY 4.0)
- [BLS Employment Projections](https://www.bls.gov/emp/tables.htm), version 2025-35, data year 2025 (Public domain (U.S. government work))
- [BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics](https://www.bls.gov/oes/tables.htm), version 2025, data year 2025 (Public domain (U.S. government work))
- [NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk](https://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/cipcode/resources.aspx?y=56), version 2020, data year 2020 (Public domain (U.S. government work))

O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. CollegesRef has modified all or some of this information.