CDCareer Decision

Desktop Publishers Salary in Chicago, IL

In the 2025 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS dataset, Desktop Publishers in Chicago, IL have a median annual salary of $58,130, with 120 recorded jobs in this area. Recorded earnings range from $46,260 at the 10th percentile to $85,740 at the 90th percentile.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS · Data year: 2025 · Last updated: 2026-09-22

Salary overview

Median annual salary

$58,130

Data year: 2025

Hourly median

$27.95

Employment

120

Source

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS

Salary distribution

$46,260
10th
$49,340
25th
$58,130
Median
$69,080
75th
$85,740
90th

Local compared with national

Chicago, IL

$58,130

Median annual · 2025

United States

$55,290

Median annual · 2025

The Chicago, IL median is 5.1% above the national median in the available dataset (a difference of $2,840).

Top skills

  1. 1.Reading ComprehensionImportance 3.8
  2. 2.Critical ThinkingImportance 3.8
  3. 3.Judgment and Decision MakingImportance 3.6
  4. 4.Active ListeningImportance 3.5
  5. 5.SpeakingImportance 3.5
  6. 6.WritingImportance 3.1
  7. 7.Complex Problem SolvingImportance 3.1
  8. 8.Time ManagementImportance 3.1
  9. 9.Active LearningImportance 3.0
  10. 10.MonitoringImportance 3.0
  11. 11.Social PerceptivenessImportance 3.0
  12. 12.Learning StrategiesImportance 2.9

Career information

Education and experience

Typical education
High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)
Experience
Over 6 months, up to and including 1 year
Job zone
3

Technology used

  • 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
  • AlgoLab Raster to Vector Conversion Toolkit

Common tasks

  • 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.
  • Select number of colors and determine color separations.
  • Convert various types of files for printing or for the Internet, using computer software.

Related careers

Occupations recorded as related in the dataset. A relationship does not imply a guaranteed transition.

Desktop Publishers salary in other locations

Other occupations in Chicago, IL