Top Skills for This Career
BLS identifies these as the three highest-rated skills for this detailed occupation. TrustInEd adds the plain-language explanations so visitors understand what each skill means.
Adjusting effectively when priorities, conditions, tools, or expectations change.
Using computers, software, digital systems, and technology to complete work and solve problems.
Paying close attention to accuracy, quality, instructions, and small but important details.
How Do You Prepare for This Career?
BLS describes the typical preparation for this occupation. Requirements can vary by employer, state, licensing rules and individual circumstances.
How to Become One
How to Become a Desktop Publisher Desktop publishers typically learn on the job from an experienced worker. Desktop publishers typically need an associate’s degree to enter the occupation. They also receive short-term on-the-job
Education
Desktop publishers usually need an associate’s degree, often in graphic design or graphic communications. Community colleges and technical schools offer desktop-publishing courses, which teach students how to create electronic page layouts and format text and graphics with the use of desktop-publishing software. Workers with experience and demonstrated proficiency in relevant software may be able to enter the occupation without a college degree. Some employers require or prefer that candidates have a bachelor’s degree. Training Desktop publishers typically receive short-term on-the-job training lasting about 1 month. They learn by working closely with more experienced workers or by taking classes that teach them how to use desktop-publishing software.
Training
, lasting about 1 month.
Your Next Step
Compare colleges and education options that can support the typical entry-level education for this career.
Pay
the median annual wage for all workers was $50,980.
Job Outlook
Job Outlook Employment of desktop publishers is projected to grow 14 percent from 2025 to 2035, decline. About 300 openings for desktop publishers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. Employment Companies are expected to hire fewer desktop publishers as desktop-publishing tasks are increasingly performed by other types of workers, such as graphic designers, web designers, and editors. Furthermore, as organizations continue to publish their materials electronically instead of printing them, fewer desktop publishers are expected to be needed. Desktop Publishers Percent change in employment, projected 2025–35 Total, all occupations 3% Other office and administrative support workers -7% Desktop publishers -14% Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy.
What They Do
What Desktop Publishers Do
Desktop publishers use computer software to design page layouts for newspapers, books, brochures, and other items that are printed or published online.
Duties
Desktop publishers typically do the following:
- Review text, graphics, or other materials created by writers and designers
- Edit graphics, such as photographs or illustrations
- Import text and graphics into publishing software
- Integrate images and text to create cohesive pages
- Adjust text properties, such as size, column width, and spacing
- Revise layouts and make corrections as necessary
- Submit or upload final files for printing or online publishing
Desktop publishers use publishing software to create page layouts for print or electronic publication. They may edit text by correcting its spelling, punctuation, and grammar.
Desktop publishers often work with other design, media, or marketing workers, including writers, editors, and graphic designers. For example, they work with graphic designers to come up with images that complement the text and fit the available space.
Work Environment
Work Environment
Desktop publishers held about 4,600 jobs in 2025. The largest employers of desktop publishers were as follows:
| Publishing, broadcasting, and content providers | 35% |
| Self-employed workers | 20 |
| Religious, grantmaking, civic, professional, and similar organizations | 11 |
| Professional, scientific, and technical services | 8 |
| Educational services; state, local, and private | 6 |
Desktop publishers usually work in an office setting. They sometimes work under tight deadlines, which may be stressful.
Work Schedules
Most desktop publishers work full time.
Important Qualities
The following are examples of qualities that are important for these workers to perform their duties. For more information, visit the Employment Projections (EP) skills data page. Artistic ability. Desktop publishers must have a good eye for how graphics and text will look, so that they can create pages that are visually appealing and legible. Communication skills. Desktop publishers must collaborate with others, such as writers, editors, and graphic designers, and communicate ideas effectively. Detail oriented. Desktop publishers must pay attention to details such as margins, font sizes, and the overall appearance and accuracy of their work. Organizational skills. Desktop publishers often work under strict deadlines and must be good at scheduling and prioritizing tasks in order to have documents ready in time for publication.
More Information
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about desktop publishers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Take the Next Step
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Start with ED →Career data and occupational profile text are sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook and Employment Projections program. Education requirements are typical entry-level requirements and may vary by employer, state, occupation or individual circumstance. View the official BLS profile.