Format typescript and graphic elements using computer software to produce publication-ready material.
Desktop Publishers
SOC: 43-9031 O*NET: 43-9031.00
Median Salary
$53,620
per year
Job Growth
📉 -12.4%
Slower (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
0.4
projected jobs/year
Education Level
Vocational school, on-the-job training, or associate degree
Job Zone 3
Format typescript and graphic elements using computer software to produce publication-ready material.
What does a Desktop Publishers do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$34,650
10th percentile
Early Career
$42,680
25th percentile
Median
$53,620
50th percentile
Experienced
$71,990
75th percentile
Top Earners
$92,880
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$34,650
25th
$42,680
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$53,620
Mean: $60,250
75th
$71,990
90th
$92,880
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $58,230 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $42,680 and $71,990
- •Salary spread is 54.7% around the median, showing high variation
- •Total national employment: 4,000 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Low Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:5,000
Top Industries
Information48.8%
Publishing Industries39.8%
Newspaper, Periodical, Book, and Directory Publishers39.3%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:-12.4%
Annual Openings:400
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)5,000
Current
2034 (Projected)4,400
-12.4%
-600
Employment Change
-12.4%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: Decline
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Desktop Publishers professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 28 locations
New York
490 jobs$65,7401.97x
California
460 jobs$63,6200.98x
Texas
410 jobs$47,9401.13x
Georgia
270 jobs$45,0002.10x
Minnesota
230 jobs$61,0203.00x
Florida
230 jobs$51,8500.91x
Massachusetts
140 jobs$54,5901.46x
Illinois
140 jobs$53,7300.87x
Pennsylvania
130 jobs$00.85x
Wisconsin
110 jobs$01.44x
Maryland
90 jobs$56,5901.30x
Colorado
80 jobs$75,4901.04x
Arizona
80 jobs$54,3100.91x
North Carolina
80 jobs$46,3800.60x
Tennessee
80 jobs$42,9400.98x
Understanding the Data
Location Quotient (LQ):
- • LQ > 1.0: More jobs than national average
- • LQ = 1.0: Same as national average
- • LQ < 1.0: Fewer jobs than national average
Data Source:
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024
Key Growth Factors
- •Employment decline projected
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Reading Comprehension
100%
#2
Critical Thinking
94%
#3
Judgment and Decision Making
86%
#4
Active Listening
80%
#5
Speaking
74%
#6
Writing
66%
#7
Complex Problem Solving
60%
#8
Time Management
54%
#9
Monitoring
46%
#10
Active Learning
40%
Skills Overview
Reading Comprehension
advanced5.0
100%
Critical Thinking
advanced4.7
94%
Judgment and Decision Making
intermediate4.3
86%
Active Listening
intermediate4.0
80%
Speaking
intermediate3.7
74%
Writing
intermediate3.3
66%
Complex Problem Solving
advanced3.0
60%
Time Management
basic2.7
54%
Skills are rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being the most important. The complexity level indicates how advanced the skill typically needs to be.
Filter:
Sort by:
Reading Comprehension
advancedImportance100%
abilities
5.0/5.0
Critical Thinking
advancedImportance94%
abilities
4.7/5.0
Judgment and Decision Making
intermediateImportance86%
abilities
4.3/5.0
Active Listening
intermediateImportance80%
skills
4.0/5.0
Speaking
intermediateImportance74%
skills
3.7/5.0
Writing
intermediateImportance66%
skills
3.3/5.0
Complex Problem Solving
advancedImportance60%
abilities
3.0/5.0
Time Management
basicImportance54%
skills
2.7/5.0
Monitoring
basicImportance46%
skills
2.3/5.0
Active Learning
basicImportance40%
abilities
2.0/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Electrical and Electronics Drafters100%
5 shared skills
Family Medicine Physicians100%
5 shared skills
Film and Video Editors100%
5 shared skills
Special Effects Artists and Animators100%
5 shared skills
Appraisers of Personal and Business Property90%
5 shared skills
Upholsterers90%
5 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Must Have:
- ✓Active Listening
Learn on the Job:
- →Writing
- →Time Management
- →Complex Problem Solving
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Active Listening
- ✓Reading Comprehension
- ✓Critical Thinking
- ✓Judgment and Decision Making
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Active Listening
- ★Reading Comprehension
- ★Critical Thinking
- ★Judgment and Decision Making
- ★Speaking
Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
- •Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
- •Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
- •Entry-level positions prioritize foundational skills that can be built upon over time
What technology will you use?
Technology & Digital Skills
Essential technology proficiencies for Desktop Publishers
Technology Intensity
Very High
Digital Literacy Requirements
This career requires expert digital literacy
1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert
Key Digital Competencies:
Advanced software proficiencySystem architecture understandingAutomation and scriptingEmerging technology adaptationTechnical problem-solving
🔥
Hot Technologies in Demand
These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field
Salesforce software
🔥 Hot TechMySQL
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Access
🔥 Hot TechAdobe InDesign
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Visual Basic
🔥 Hot TechAdobe Acrobat
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft SharePoint
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Outlook
🔥 Hot TechExtensible markup language XML
🔥 Hot TechSAP software
🔥 Hot TechAdobe Creative Cloud software
🔥 Hot TechAdobe Illustrator
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
Salesforce software
MySQL
Microsoft Access
Adobe InDesign
Microsoft Visual Basic
Adobe Acrobat
Microsoft SharePoint
Microsoft Outlook
Extensible markup language XML
SAP software
Adobe Creative Cloud software
Adobe Illustrator
📚 Technology Learning Resources
Recommended Certifications
- •Vendor-specific software certifications
- •Industry-recognized technology credentials
- •Professional development courses
Online Learning Platforms
- •LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
- •Coursera - University-level programs
- •Udemy - Practical skills training
💡 Technology Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
- •Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
- •Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
- •Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers
What's the work environment like?
🏢
Location
MOSTLY INDOOR
💪
Physical Demand
MODERATE
👥
Team Orientation
SOME TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
OCCASIONAL
💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?
Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:
- •Are you comfortable working in mostly indoor environments?
- •Can you meet moderate physical demands?
- •Do you enjoy some team team environments?
- •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?
What are the key tasks?
Tasks & Responsibilities
18
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
General Responsibilities (11)Planning & Development (4)Training & Development (1)Documentation & Record-Keeping (1)Communication & Coordination (1)
1
Check preliminary and final proofs for errors and make necessary corrections.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities100% perform100%
2
Operate desktop publishing software and equipment to design, lay out, and produce camera-ready copy.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development97% perform98%
3
View monitors for visual representation of work in progress and for instructions and feedback throughout process, making modifications as necessary.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Training & Development94% perform96%
4
Enter text into computer keyboard and select the size and style of type, column width, and appropriate spacing for printed materials.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities91% perform94%
5
Store copies of publications on paper, magnetic tape, film, or diskette.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities88% perform92%
6
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.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development85% perform90%
7
Enter digitized data into electronic prepress system computer memory, using scanner, camera, keyboard, or mouse.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities82% perform88%
8
Edit graphics and photos, using pixel or bitmap editing, airbrushing, masking, or image retouching.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities79% perform86%
9
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.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities76% perform84%
10
Prepare sample layouts for approval, using computer software.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on general responsibilities activities
- •39% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
- •Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities
What career paths are available?
Career Pathways
0
Advancement Opportunities
0
Lateral Move Options
0%
Avg. Salary Increase
Advancement Opportunities
Typical career progression paths from Desktop Publishers
💡 Career Planning Tips
- •Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
- •Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
- •Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
- •Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves
Is this career right for you?
Personality & Values Fit
Is This Career Right for You?
Desktop Publishers professionals typically have a CAR Holland code and highly value achievement
CConventional
AArtistic
RRealistic
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Desktop Publishers
Attention to Detail
CriticalAttention to Detail
Importance Level4.90
Dependability
CriticalDependability
Importance Level4.84
Cooperation
CriticalCooperation
Importance Level4.73
Adaptability/Flexibility
Very ImportantAdaptability/Flexibility
Importance Level4.38
Stress Tolerance
Very ImportantStress Tolerance
Importance Level4.36
Integrity
Very ImportantIntegrity
Importance Level4.35
Complete Work Styles Profile
Attention to Detail
4.9
Dependability
4.8
Cooperation
4.7
Adaptability/Flexibility
4.4
Stress Tolerance
4.4
Integrity
4.3
Initiative
4.2
Persistence
4.2
Innovation
4.0
Achievement/Effort
3.9
💡 Tips for Career Fit Success
- •While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
- •Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
- •Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
- •Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career
What education is required?
Education Level
Vocational school, on-the-job training, or associate degree
Typical duration: Varies
Preparation Level
Job Zone 3
Medium Preparation Needed
Experience Needed
Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience required
📚 Education Requirement
Required Level:Vocational school, on-the-job training, or associate degree
Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Training:
Training of more than one year
💼 Experience Requirement
Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience required
Common pathways to gain experience:
- • Associate degree programs
- • Apprenticeships (1-2 years)
- • Vocational training with related experience
3
Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Associate degree programsApprenticeships (1-2 years)Vocational training with related experience
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