Desktop Publishers
Desktop publishers use computer software to design page layouts for items that are printed or published online.
Is desktop publishers a good career?
It scores 10/100 and ranks #716 of 825 occupations on pay, growth, employment and openings. Here's what the federal data says, with no editorializing.
Advantages
- Tracked in official BLS wage and projection data, so the numbers here are verifiable
Possible tradeoffs
- Employment is projected to decline (-12.4% through 2034)
What desktop publishers earn
Wages: BLS OEWS May 2025Pay is a range, not a number. Half of U.S. desktop publishers earn between $43,730 and $73,840 a year.
Best-paying states
Best-paying metros
Live desktop publishers jobs
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No placeholder listings · nothing inventedHow to become a desktop publisher
- Typical education
- Associate's degree
- Work experience
- None
- On-the-job training
- Short-term on-the-job training
- Outlook
- Employment is projected to grow decline through 2034.
Education
Desktop publishers usually need an associate’s degree, often in graphic design or graphic communications. Community colleges and technical schools offer desktop-publishing courses, which teach students how to create electronic page layouts and format text and graphics with the use of desktop-publishing software.
Training
Desktop publishers typically receive short-term on-the-job training lasting about 1 month. They learn by working closely with more experienced workers or by taking classes that teach them how to use desktop-publishing software. Workers often need to continue training because publishing software changes over time.
Important qualities
Artistic ability. Desktop publishers must have a good eye for how graphics and text will look, so that they can create pages that are visually appealing and legible.
Communication skills. Desktop publishers must collaborate with others, such as writers, editors, and graphic designers, and communicate ideas effectively.
Detail oriented. Desktop publishers must pay attention to details such as margins, font sizes, and the overall appearance and accuracy of their work.
Organizational skills. Desktop publishers often work under strict deadlines and must be good at scheduling and prioritizing tasks in order to have documents ready in time for publication.
Related occupations
How much do desktop publishers make?
The national median wage is $55,290 a year, with the middle half earning between $43,730 and $73,840 (BLS OEWS May 2025).
Is desktop publishers a good career?
On the Jobs.best index it scores 10 of 100 and ranks #716 of 825 occupations, weighing pay, growth, employment and openings. Employment is projected to change -12.4% through 2034.
What education do you need to become a desktop publisher?
The typical entry-level education is associate's degree.
Where do desktop publishers earn the most?
Among states, Colorado pays the highest median ($77,750). Local pay for every state and metro is below.