The median pay for Desktop Publishers is $55,290 a year ($26.58/hr), according to BLS OEWS, May 2025. Employment is projected to fall 14.5% through 2035, with about 300 openings a year (BLS EP, 2025–2035). Typical entry-level education: Associate's degree.
- SOC 43-9031
- Office and Administrative Support
- Last updated October 9, 2026
At a glance
Desktop Publisher in four numbers
- Median pay
- $55,290a year, or $26.58/hrBLS OEWS, May 2025Lowest 10% $36KTop 10% $96K
US median, all jobs: $50,980
- Projected growth
- -14.5%DecliningBLS EP, 2025–2035This career−14.5%All jobs+3.5%
Projected employment change, 2025–2035 Item Value This career −14.5% All jobs +3.5% - Openings a year
- 3004,600 jobs todayBLS EP, 2025–2035
- Jobs in 20254.6K
- Projected 20354K
Employment, 2025–2035 Item Value Jobs in 2025 4.6K Projected 2035 4K - Typical education
- Associate'sneeded to enterBLS EP, 2025–2035; mix: O*NET
- High school44.3%
- Certificate4.9%
- Some college1%
- Associate's11.1%
- Bachelor's38.7%
Highest education held by desktop publishers Segment Value High school 44.3% Certificate 4.9% Some college 1% Associate's 11.1% Bachelor's 38.7%
Also advertised as: Advertising Associate, Compositor, Computer Typesetter, Design Editor, Desktop Operator, Desktop Publishing Specialist.
Pay
How much do Desktop Publishers make?
Every desktop publisher in the US, by percentile of annual wage
Median
$55,290
Middle half earn $43,730 to $73,840
- 10th
- $35,680
- 25th
- $43,730
- 75th
- $73,840
- 90th
- $96,170
All US occupations: $50,980
| Percentile | Value |
|---|---|
| 10th | $35,680 |
| 25th | $43,730 |
| Median | $55,290 |
| 75th | $73,840 |
| 90th | $96,170 |
| All US occupations | $50,980 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Median annual wage
- $55,290
- Median hourly wage
- $26.58/hr
- Mean annual wage
- $61,970
- People employed
- 3,350
Versus all US occupations
At $55,290, Desktop Publishers earn 8% above the $50,980 median across all US occupations, a difference of $4,310 a year.
Versus office and administrative support occupations
Inside the Office and Administrative Support group, where the middle occupation pays $49,230, this is 12% above the group median.
Pay range
The top 10% earn $96,170 or more while the bottom 10% earn $35,680, a gap of 2.7×. That is a typical spread for a US occupation.
Rank in the bank
This median pays more than 27% of the 1,741 occupations in the NueCareer career bank.
Highest-paying state
Colorado pays the most at $77,750, and still leads at $75,447 once local prices are taken into account.
Pay by state
Which states pay Desktop Publishers 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1Colorado | $77,750 | $75,447 | N/A |
| 2California | $71,930 | $64,966 | 320 |
| 3Maryland | $69,820 | $66,521 | 140 |
| 4New Jersey | $63,020 | $57,920 | 100 |
| 5South Carolina | $62,320 | $66,475 | 40 |
| 6Illinois | $61,350 | $61,376 | 150 |
| 7Massachusetts | $61,170 | $57,840 | 80 |
| 8Texas | $57,760 | $59,511 | 270 |
| 9New York | $56,660 | $52,501 | 350 |
| 10Minnesota | $54,930 | $55,698 | 90 |
Job outlook
Is Desktop Publisher a growing career?
Employment change over 2025–2035, against every US occupation
Declining. -14.5% projected growth vs 3.5% for all occupations.
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Desktop Publishers | −14.5% |
| All US occupations | +3.5% |
Source: BLS EP, 2025–2035
Declining
BLS projects employment of Desktop Publishers to change -14.5% over 2025–2035, while total US employment is projected to rise 3.5%. That is 700 fewer jobs.
Annual openings
About 300 openings are projected each year, 6.5% of the 4,600 jobs that existed in 2025. Most come from workers leaving the occupation, not from growth alone.
Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
Companies are expected to hire fewer desktop publishers as desktop-publishing tasks are increasingly performed by other types of workers, such as graphic designers, web designers, and editors. Furthermore, as organizations continue to publish their materials electronically instead of printing them, fewer desktop publishers are expected to be needed.
Getting in
How to become a Desktop Publisher
Desktop publishers typically need an associate’s degree to enter the occupation. They also receive short-term on-the-job training, lasting about 1 month.
- 1
Typical entry-level education
Associate's degree
- 2
Work experience in a related occupation
None
- 3
Typical on-the-job training
Short-term on-the-job training
- 4
Preparation needed (O*NET job zone)
Some 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 desktop publishers.
- High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)44.3%
- Bachelor's Degree38.7%
- Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree11.1%
- Post-Secondary Certificate4.9%
- Some College Courses1%
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED) | 44.3% |
| Bachelor's Degree | 38.7% |
| Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree | 11.1% |
| Post-Secondary Certificate | 4.9% |
| Some College Courses | 1% |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
The work
What does a Desktop Publisher do?
Format typescript and graphic elements using computer software to produce publication-ready material.
Desktop publishers use computer software to design page layouts for newspapers, books, brochures, and other items that are printed or published online.
Day-to-day tasks
- Convert various types of files for printing or for the Internet, using computer software.
- Edit graphics and photos, using pixel or bitmap editing, airbrushing, masking, or image retouching.
- Operate desktop publishing software and equipment to design, lay out, and produce camera-ready copy.
- Check preliminary and final proofs for errors and make necessary corrections.
- Prepare sample layouts for approval, using computer software.
- View monitors for visual representation of work in progress and for instructions and feedback throughout process, making modifications as necessary.
- Enter data, such as coordinates of images and color specifications, into system to retouch and make color corrections.
- Position text and art elements from a variety of databases in a visually appealing way to design print or web pages, using knowledge of type styles and size and layout patterns.
O*NET core tasks, ordered by reported importance.
Working conditions and hours
Most desktop publishers work full time.
Where the work happens
Indoors, climate-controlled
NeverEvery dayIndoors, in a climate-controlled space, every day.
Outdoors in all weather
NeverEvery dayAlmost never works outdoors.
Physical demands
Sitting
NeverAlmost all the timeSeated for more than half the working day.
Standing
NeverAlmost all the timeBending 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 dayMeeting strict deadlines at least weekly.
Conflict situations
NeverEvery dayCost of a mistake
Not seriousExtremely serious
Autonomy
Freedom to decide
NoneA lot
Schedules: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2025–2035 edition. 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.
Where desktop publishers work
Share of jobs by employer type
- Publishing, broadcasting, and content providers35%
- Self-employed workers20%
- Religious, grantmaking, civic, professional, and similar organizations11%
- Professional, scientific, and technical services8%
- Educational services; state, local, and private6%
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Publishing, broadcasting, and content providers | 35% |
| Self-employed workers | 20% |
| Religious, grantmaking, civic, professional, and similar organizations | 11% |
| Professional, scientific, and technical services | 8% |
| Educational services; state, local, and private | 6% |
Source: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2025–2035 edition
Core skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Reading Comprehension3.8
- Critical Thinking3.8
- Active Listening3.5
- Speaking3.5
- Writing3.1
- Active Learning3.0
- Monitoring3.0
- Learning Strategies2.9
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Reading Comprehension | 3.8 |
| Critical Thinking | 3.8 |
| Active Listening | 3.5 |
| Speaking | 3.5 |
| Writing | 3.1 |
| Active Learning | 3.0 |
| Monitoring | 3.0 |
| Learning Strategies | 2.9 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Transferable skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Judgment and Decision Making3.6
- Complex Problem Solving3.1
- Time Management3.1
- Social Perceptiveness3.0
- Coordination2.9
- Service Orientation2.9
- Operations Analysis2.9
- Management of Personnel Resources2.9
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Judgment and Decision Making | 3.6 |
| Complex Problem Solving | 3.1 |
| Time Management | 3.1 |
| Social Perceptiveness | 3.0 |
| Coordination | 2.9 |
| Service Orientation | 2.9 |
| Operations Analysis | 2.9 |
| Management of Personnel Resources | 2.9 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Tools and software
- Customer relationship management CRM software · in demand
- Data base management system software · in demand
- Data base user interface and query software · in demand
- Desktop publishing software · in demand
- Development environment software · in demand
- Document management software · in demand
- Electronic mail software · in demand
- Enterprise application integration software · in demand
- Enterprise resource planning ERP software · in demand
- Graphics or photo imaging software · in demand
- Object or component oriented development software · in demand
- Office suite software · in demand
“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 Desktop Publisher?
O*NET Occupational Interests (RIASEC), scored 1 to 7
| Axis | Desktop Publisher |
|---|---|
| Realistic | 3 |
| Investigative | 3 |
| Artistic | 4 |
| Social | 2 |
| Enterprising | 2 |
| Conventional | 6 |
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 creating, designing and working without a fixed set of rules.
- Conventional5.7
- Artistic4.2
- Realistic3.4
- Investigative2.8
- Enterprising1.7
- Social1.7
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 Desktop Publisher
O*NET related occupations
- Production
- Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media
- Office and Administrative Support
- Computer and Mathematical
- Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media
- Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media
More office and administrative support careers
Median annual pay, with desktop publishers highlighted
- Executive Secretary and Executive Administrative Assistant$76,590
- Legal Secretary and Administrative Assistant$55,570
- Desktop Publisher$55,290
- Public Safety Telecommunicator$53,040
- Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerk$50,670
- Human Resources Assistant, Except Payroll and Timekeeping$50,610
- Secretary and Administrative Assistant, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive$47,540
- Teller$43,030
- Receptionist and Information Clerk$38,010
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Executive Secretary and Executive Administrative Assistant | $76,590 |
| Legal Secretary and Administrative Assistant | $55,570 |
| Desktop Publisher | $55,290 |
| Public Safety Telecommunicator | $53,040 |
| Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerk | $50,670 |
| Human Resources Assistant, Except Payroll and Timekeeping | $50,610 |
| Secretary and Administrative Assistant, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive | $47,540 |
| Teller | $43,030 |
| Receptionist and Information Clerk | $38,010 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
Lists Desktop Publisher appears on
Questions
Desktop Publisher: frequently asked questions
How much do Desktop Publishers make?
Desktop Publishers earn a median of $55,290 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025), 8% above the $50,980 US median across all occupations. That works out at $26.58/hr. The middle half earn between $43,730 and $73,840. The top 10% earn $96,170 or more.
Do you need a degree to become a Desktop Publisher?
Usually a two-year degree rather than a four-year one. BLS lists an associate's degree as the typical entry-level education for Desktop Publishers. BLS also lists short-term on-the-job training as typical on-the-job training. In O*NET's survey of people already doing the job, 44.3% hold high school diploma or the equivalent (such as a ged).
Is Desktop Publisher a growing career?
No. BLS projects employment to fall 14.5% over 2025–2035, a loss of 700 jobs (BLS EP, 2025–2035). BLS still projects about 300 openings a year, mostly from workers retiring or moving to other work.
What does a Desktop Publisher do?
Desktop publishers use computer software to design page layouts for newspapers, books, brochures, and other items that are printed or published online. A core O*NET task: convert various types of files for printing or for the Internet, using computer software. Employers most often ask for Customer relationship management CRM software, Data base management system software, Data base user interface and query software.
Which states pay Desktop Publishers the most?
The highest state medians for Desktop Publishers are Colorado ($77,750), California ($71,930), Maryland ($69,820) (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
What personality type suits a Desktop Publisher?
O*NET scores Desktop Publishers highest on the Conventional, Artistic and Realistic interest areas, so the work mixes organising, following procedures and working precisely with data with creating, designing and working without a fixed set of rules. 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.