Desktop Publishers
Job Zone 3 - Medium preparation needed
Format typescript and graphic elements using computer software to produce publication-ready material.
Median pay: $55,290/yr (U.S. national, May 2025)
Typical range nationwide (10th–90th percentile). This is a population snapshot, not a personal prediction - actual pay varies by location, employer, and experience.
Job outlook: -12.4% projected growth, 2024–2034 — declining.
About 400 openings per year, on average, over the decade.
Typical entry-level education: Associate's degree.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS and Employment Projections.
• Operate desktop publishing software and equipment to design, lay out, and produce camera-ready copy.
• 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.
• Check preliminary and final proofs for errors and make necessary corrections.
• View monitors for visual representation of work in progress and for instructions and feedback throughout process, making modifications as necessary.
• Enter text into computer keyboard and select the size and style of type, column width, and appropriate spacing for printed materials.
• Prepare sample layouts for approval, using computer software.
• Import text and art elements, such as electronic clip art or electronic files from photographs that have been scanned or produced with a digital camera, using computer software.
• Study layout or other design instructions to determine work to be done and sequence of operations.
What's the median pay for Desktop Publishers?
The median pay for Desktop Publishers is $55,290 per year, per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
What's the job outlook for Desktop Publishers?
Employment for Desktop Publishers is projected to change -12.4% from 2024 to 2034 - declining.
What education is typically required for Desktop Publishers?
Typical entry-level education: Associate's degree.
How many job openings are there each year for Desktop Publishers?
About 400 openings per year, on average, over the decade.