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
Desktop publishers typically need an associate’s degree. They also receive short-term on-the-job training lasting about 1 month. PayThe median annual wage for desktop publishers was $55,290 in May 2025. Job Outlook Employment of desktop publishers is projected to decline 14 percent from 2025 to 2035. Despite declining employment, about 300 openings for desktop publishers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. All of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to other occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for desktop publishers. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of desktop publishers with similar occupations. 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.
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 desktop publishers was $55,290 in May 2025. Job Outlook Employment of desktop publishers is projected to decline 14 percent from 2025 to 2035. Despite declining employment, about 300 openings for desktop publishers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. All of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to other occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for desktop publishers. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of desktop publishers with similar occupations. 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.
Job Outlook
Employment of desktop publishers is projected to decline 14 percent from 2025 to 2035. Despite declining employment, about 300 openings for desktop publishers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. All of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to other occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for desktop publishers. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of desktop publishers with similar occupations. 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.
What They Do
Desktop publishers use computer software to design page layouts for items that are printed or published online.
Work Environment
Most desktop publishers work full time. They usually work in an office setting.
How to Become a Desktop Publisher
Desktop publishers typically need an associate’s degree. They also receive short-term on-the-job training lasting about 1 month.
Pay
The median annual wage for desktop publishers was $55,290 in May 2025.
Job Outlook
Employment of desktop publishers is projected to decline 14 percent from 2025 to 2035.
Despite declining employment, about 300 openings for desktop publishers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. All of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to other occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for desktop publishers.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of desktop publishers with similar occupations.
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.
Work Environment
Most desktop publishers work full time. They usually work in an office setting.
How to Become a Desktop Publisher
Desktop publishers typically need an associate’s degree. They also receive short-term on-the-job training lasting about 1 month.
Pay
The median annual wage for desktop publishers was $55,290 in May 2025.
Job Outlook
Employment of desktop publishers is projected to decline 14 percent from 2025 to 2035.
Despite declining employment, about 300 openings for desktop publishers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. All of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to other occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for desktop publishers.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of desktop publishers with similar occupations.
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.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for desktop publishers.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of desktop publishers with similar occupations.
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.
More Information
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
Find Education Programs
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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.