How much does a desktop publisher make?
Answer: A typical desktop publisher in the United States makes $55,290 a year (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).
Line up 100 people; this is the one in the middle (median). about 3,000 people work in this job. About the same as the US-wide typical pay ($50,980).
If 100 people had this job
Lowest at bottom-left, highest at top-rightHover over a person to see their yearly pay
Desktop publisher pay in the United States (May 2025, median and spread)
| Lower earner (10th from bottom) | Typical person (median) | Higher earner (10th from top) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|---|
| $35,680 | $55,290 | $96,170 | about 3,000 |
Why does pay differ?
In the U.S., pay can vary with experience and skill, and with the industry, employer, and location. Valued credentials and more complex or responsible design tasks can also make a difference.
What if you lived in a different state?
Pay varies a lot by state in the USTop 5 and bottom 3 states, typical (median) yearly pay.
What does a desktop publisher do?
Format typescript and graphic elements using computer software to produce publication-ready material.
What's a typical day like?
They review text and pictures, fix or crop images, and arrange words and art into clean page layouts. Then they adjust type size and spacing, make corrections, and send the finished files to print or online.
How to get this job
In the U.S., most desktop publishers earn an associate’s degree, often in graphic design or graphic communications. They usually learn the job from an experienced coworker, with about a month of on-the-job training.
Vocational school or a few years' experience (preparation level 3 of 5)
Good for people who like keeping things organized and creating.
Did you know?
Desktop publishers can combine text with scanned photos or digital art, then send a master file to a printer for production.
Similar jobs
Jobs using similar skills (O*NET)Earn more in the same field
Office and Administrative Support jobs that pay a bit moreSources and data
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025 (bls.gov); descriptions and related jobs from O*NET 31.0. Figures as of May 2025, full-time yearly pay (hourly × 2,080 hours). bls.gov/oes · O*NET OnLine
Pages used for the text
- www.bls.gov/OOH/office-and-administrative-support/desktop-publishers.htm
- www.onetonline.org/link/summary/43-9031.00
- www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2015/article/wage-differences.htm
Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025 · 1 USD = 150 JPY