Office and administrative support
Desktop publisher
Format typescript and graphic elements using computer software to produce publication-ready material.
Median pay
$55,290
Growth to 2035
−14%
declining
Openings a year
300
Time to qualify*
2.1 years
* From a bachelor's degree in an unrelated field.
Pay
Desktop publisher
Getting in
- Typical entry education
- Associate's degree
- On-the-job training
- Short-term on-the-job training
- Prior experience
- None
What the work is like
Dealing with the public
Unpleasant or angry people
Time pressure
Cost of a mistake
Freedom to make decisions
Repeating the same tasks
Time sitting
Time standing
Desktop publisher: 36% usually work over 40 hours a week
Core 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.
Also called: Advertising Associate · Compositor · Computer Typesetter · Design Editor · Desktop Operator · Desktop Publishing Specialist · Electronic Console Display Operator · Electronic Imager
Outlook and AI
Desktop publishers held 4,600 jobs in 2025. BLS projects 4,000 by 2035 (−14%, declining; all jobs: +3.5%).
Demand change, occupational substitution - share decreases as organizations continue to publish their materials electronically instead of printing them and publishing software improvements make it easier for other workers, such as editors and graphic designers, to perform the duties of desktop publishers.
Compare with
- Desktop publisher vs. Prepress technicians and workers
- Desktop publisher vs. Graphic designer
- Desktop publisher vs. Proofreaders and copy markers
- Desktop publisher vs. UX designer
- Desktop publisher vs. Special effects artists and animators
- Desktop publisher vs. Film and video editors
- Desktop publisher vs. Office machine operators, except computer
- Desktop publisher vs. Web developer
- Desktop publisher vs. Editor
- Desktop publisher vs. Computer occupations, all other