Desktop Publishers
Also called: Advertising Associate, Compositor, Computer Compositor, Computer Publisher, Computer Typesetter, Design Editor, Desktop Operator, Desktop Publisher
Format typescript and graphic elements using computer software to produce publication-ready material.
What desktop publishers do
Typical 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.
- Enter digitized data into electronic prepress system computer memory, using scanner, camera, keyboard, or mouse.
- Edit graphics and photos, using pixel or bitmap editing, airbrushing, masking, or image retouching.
Typical path into the job (BLS)
Desktop Publishers salary
The median annual wage for desktop publishers is $55,290 (BLS OEWS May 2025; BLS Employment Projections 2025–35, national). The lowest 10 percent earn less than $35,680 and the highest 10 percent earn more than $96,170. The mean annual wage is $61,970.
The mean hourly wage of $29.00 is 4.0× the federal minimum wage of $7.25. State minimums are higher in most large states. Minimum wage by state →
How does your pay compare with people your age?
Your numbers are not sent or stored. The comparison uses this occupation's BLS wage percentiles, adjusted for age with BLS median weekly earnings by age group (Q3 2026).
Pay by percentile
Annual wage percentiles from the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS). Percentiles are a good proxy for pay by experience.
Projected pay for Desktop Publishers (3, 5 and 10 years)est.
Today $55,290 → in 3 years $57,700 → in 5 years $59,300 → in 10 years $63,700 (10-year range $54,700–$73,900). The model assumes pay growth of +1.4% per year.
What drives the annual growth rate
Projected pay = current pay × (1 + annual growth)^years. The annual growth rate starts from a base wage-growth rate and adds or subtracts labor demand (BLS projected employment growth), wage momentum and AI replacement risk for each occupation. Projections are not guarantees. How it is calculated →
Outlook score for Desktop Publishers
Each component is a percentile rank among all occupations in the same country (0–100). Weights: labor demand 25, wage momentum / openings 15, pay level 15, AI resistance 25, aging workforce 10 (Japan only), entry barrier 10.
Will AI replace Desktop Publishers? AI replacement risk
How AI is changing this job
A written analysis for this occupation is being prepared.
AI replacement risk compares the parts of a job that are easy to hand to AI or software (processing information, documentation, repetitive computer work) with the parts that are hard to automate (physical work, working closely with people, judgment in unpredictable settings), using O*NET work activities, work context, skills and knowledge. The result is a relative position among all occupations in the country, scaled to 0–100%. Methodology →
Labor demand for Desktop Publishers
Employment projections are from the BLS Employment Projections program (2025–35). Annual openings include both new jobs and replacement of workers who leave the occupation.
The same job in Japan
| Desktop Publishers United States | 製版オペレーター、DTPオペレーター Japan | |
|---|---|---|
| Median / average pay | $55,290 | ¥4.58M ≈ $29,119 |
| Pay in 10 years (est.) | $63,700 | ¥5.34M |
| Outlook score | 29 | 41 |
| AI replacement risk | 76% High | 83% Very high |
| Workers | 3,350 | — |
Matched by occupation (SOC code). Yen converted at 157.25 JPY/USD for reference; Japanese figures are averages, U.S. figures are medians, and the surveys define occupations differently.
Skills, education and requirements for Desktop Publishers
Key skills
O*NET skill level ratings (0–7).
Key knowledge areas
What the work involves
Important abilities
Education of workers
Training before entry
Related work experience
Job Zone 3 — medium preparation needed (O*NET)
Difficulty of entry: ★★☆☆☆ Fairly easy (from education, training, experience and Job Zone)
How to become desktop publishers
A step-by-step guide for this occupation is being prepared. The education, training and experience data above show the typical path.
Career path and how to earn more as desktop publishers
Career-path guidance is being prepared. Pay by percentile is shown in the Pay section.