by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 2 U.S. colleges awarded 7 degrees and certificates in Platemaker/Imager. Certificates are the most popular award, at 57% of graduates. Graduates earn a median $28,094 one year after completing, rising to $44,537 after four years.
A major in Platemaker/Imager covers Platemaker/imager. A Program That Prepares Individuals To Apply Technical Knowledge And Skills To Prepare Film, Digital Data, And Surfaces To Reproduce Printed Or Graphic Images. Includes Instruction In Platemaking, Stripping, Camerawork, Imposition, Digital Imaging, Computer Direct-To-Plate And Direct-To-Press, And Related Processes.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings. Data as of: July 2026.
Across the country, platemaker/imager is a widely-pursued major, with 7 degrees awarded annually. 2 colleges award platemaker/imager degrees, an average of 4 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 6.
By level, the 7 awards include 4 certificates and 3 associate degrees.
Women earned 71% of platemaker/imager degrees and certificates in the latest year (5 of 7).
The most common platemaker/imager credential is the certificate: 4 of the 7 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to platemaker/imager call most for Active Listening, Critical Thinking and Monitoring, and for knowledge of Computers and Electronics, English Language and Design, according to O*NET. The most important abilities are Near Vision, Visual Color Discrimination and Visualization.
Top skills, rated 0–5:
Top knowledge areas, rated 0–5:
How long a platemaker/imager degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 4 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 3 |
High school diploma or equivalent is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to platemaker/imager, at 39.3%.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| High school diploma or equivalent | 39.3% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 23.2% |
| Some college courses | 20.6% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 9.5% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 5.2% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 2.1% |
Source: O*NET Online.
1 occupations are related to Platemaker/Imager, with an average median salary of $25,852; the strongest outlook belongs to Prepress Technicians and Workers, at 12.2% projected job growth. Typical job titles include Laser Beam Color Scanner Operator, Cold Type Artist, Printing Film Stripper and Photoengraving Photographer.
That occupation also has the most projected jobs of any related to platemaker/imager, at 442,588.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Prepress Technicians and Workers | 442,588 | 12.2% |
Platemaker/Imager graduates earn a median $28,094 one year after completing their program, $44,537 after four years and $47,560 after five years, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $28,094 |
| 4 years | $44,537 |
| 5 years | $47,560 |
Source: College Scorecard.
The same occupation is also the highest-paying one related to platemaker/imager, with a median salary of $25,852.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Prepress Technicians and Workers | $25,852 |
Platemaker/Imager has 8 similar majors in the Communications Technology/Support field, which together award 9,151 degrees a year; the largest are Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics, and Special Effects (6,864), Prepress/Desktop Publishing and Digital Imaging Design (1,335) and Graphic Communications, General (458). Browse all Communications Technology/Support majors or the full list of college majors.
More about our data sources and methodologies.