Desktop Publishers Career, Salary and Skills
Desktop Publishers have a BLS-reported national median annual wage of $55,290 based on the 2025 OEWS dataset, with reported national employment of 3,350. Wage data is published for 44 locations.
Occupation description
Format typescript and graphic elements using computer software to produce publication-ready material.
O*NET code
43-9031.00
Job zone
3
Typical education
High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)
Experience
Over 6 months, up to and including 1 year
National salary and employment
Median annual
$55,290
Hourly median
$26.58
Employment
3,350
Data year
2025
National salary distribution
Top skills
| Skill | Importance | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Reading Comprehension | 3.75 | 4.00 |
| Critical Thinking | 3.75 | 3.88 |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 3.62 | 3.00 |
| Active Listening | 3.50 | 3.75 |
| Speaking | 3.50 | 3.62 |
| Complex Problem Solving | 3.12 | 3.62 |
| Time Management | 3.12 | 3.50 |
| Writing | 3.12 | 3.62 |
| Social Perceptiveness | 3.00 | 3.00 |
| Monitoring | 3.00 | 3.50 |
Typical tasks
- 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.
- Operate desktop publishing software and equipment to design, lay out, and produce camera-ready copy.
Technology
- Actuate DocBook
- Adobe Acrobat
- Adobe ActionScript
- Adobe After Effects
- Adobe Creative Cloud software
- Adobe Dreamweaver
- Adobe FrameMaker
- Adobe FreeHand MX
- Adobe Illustrator
- Adobe InDesign
- Adobe LiveMotion
- Adobe PageMaker
- Adobe Photoshop
- Adobe PostScript
Desktop Publishers salary by location
Areas with the highest reported employment for this occupation.
- Desktop Publishers Salary in NYMedian $56,660 · Employment 350
- Desktop Publishers Salary in CAMedian $71,930 · Employment 320
- Desktop Publishers Salary in New York, NYMedian $63,020 · Employment 320
- Desktop Publishers Salary in TXMedian $57,760 · Employment 270
- Desktop Publishers Salary in GAMedian $39,460 · Employment 230
- Desktop Publishers Salary in ILMedian $61,350 · Employment 150
- Desktop Publishers Salary in FLMedian $52,720 · Employment 150
- Desktop Publishers Salary in MDMedian $69,820 · Employment 140
- Desktop Publishers Salary in Atlanta, GAMedian $42,730 · Employment 140
- Desktop Publishers Salary in INMedian $49,070 · Employment 130
- Desktop Publishers Salary in Washington, DCMedian $72,590 · Employment 120
- Desktop Publishers Salary in Chicago, ILMedian $58,130 · Employment 120
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- Software DevelopersNational median $135,980
- Document Management SpecialistsNational median $116,580
Career and skills data: O*NET 31.0 (onetcenter.org). Salary and employment data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS, 2025 (bls.gov/oes). Figures are published survey estimates, not real-time market data.