This press-molded article is provided with a top panel part, a vertical wall part, and a ridgeline part between the vertical wall part and the top panel part, and has a shape variation part produced in a portion of the ridgeline part. The method for producing press-molded article includes: a preparatory step for preparing a material of a metal sheet; and a press-working step for carrying out press-working of the material using a punch, a pad arranged facing the distal end surface of the punch, and a die capable of accommodating the pad. The press-working step includes: a step for holding the pad at a location separated by a prescribed distance from the punch, for a period beginning from when pushing of the material into the die by the punch has commenced or immediately thereafter, until pressing of the punch with respect to the die reaches a point a prescribed distance short of bottom dead center; a step for accommodating the pad in the die when pressing of the punch with respect to the die has reached the point a prescribed distance short of bottom dead center; and a step for continuing to press the punch as far as bottom dead center with respect to the die and the pad, and forming the top panel part, the vertical wall part, and the ridgeline part.