Desktop Publishers

SOC: 43-9031 O*NET: 43-9031.00
Median Salary
$53,620
per year
Job Growth
πŸ“‰ -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?

Format typescript and graphic elements using computer software to produce publication-ready material.

How much can you earn?

Salary Distribution by Percentile

Understanding where you might fall in the salary range based on experience and location.

10th
$32,172
25th
$42,896
50th (Median)
$53,620
75th
$64,344
90th
$80,430

Percentile Explained: If you're in the 75th percentile, you earn more than 75% of workers in this occupation. Entry-level positions typically fall in the 10th-25th percentile range, while experienced professionals often reach the 75th-90th percentile.

Typical Benefits Package

Health & Wellness

  • βœ“Health Insurance
  • βœ“Dental Insurance
  • βœ“Vision Insurance
  • βœ“Mental Health Support
  • βœ“Wellness Programs

Financial Benefits

  • βœ“401(k) Retirement Plan
  • βœ“Employer Match (typically 3-6%)
  • βœ“Profit Sharing
  • βœ“Stock Options
  • βœ“Performance Bonuses

Work-Life Balance

  • βœ“Paid Time Off (15-25 days)
  • βœ“Paid Sick Leave
  • βœ“Flexible Work Arrangements
  • βœ“Remote Work Options
  • βœ“Parental Leave

Professional Development

  • βœ“Tuition Reimbursement
  • βœ“Professional Certifications
  • βœ“Conference Attendance
  • βœ“Training Programs
  • βœ“Mentorship Opportunities

Note: Benefits vary widely by employer, company size, and location. Large corporations and tech companies often offer more comprehensive packages, while small businesses may offer fewer benefits but more flexibility. Always review the complete compensation package, not just base salary.

What's the job outlook?

Job Market Intelligence

Low Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk

Current Employment

National Employment:5,000

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

Key Growth Factors

  • β€’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

advanced
Importance100%
abilities
5.0/5.0

Critical Thinking

advanced
Importance94%
abilities
4.7/5.0

Judgment and Decision Making

intermediate
Importance86%
abilities
4.3/5.0

Active Listening

intermediate
Importance80%
skills
4.0/5.0

Speaking

intermediate
Importance74%
skills
3.7/5.0

Writing

intermediate
Importance66%
skills
3.3/5.0

Complex Problem Solving

advanced
Importance60%
abilities
3.0/5.0

Time Management

basic
Importance54%
skills
2.7/5.0

Monitoring

basic
Importance46%
skills
2.3/5.0

Active Learning

basic
Importance40%
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:
  • βœ“Active Listening
Learn on the Job:
  • β†’Writing
  • β†’Time Management
  • β†’Complex Problem Solving

Mid Career

Expected:
  • βœ“Active Listening
  • βœ“Reading Comprehension
  • βœ“Critical Thinking
  • βœ“Judgment and Decision Making

Senior Level

Mastery Required:
  • β˜…Active Listening
  • β˜…Reading Comprehension
  • β˜…Critical Thinking
  • β˜…Judgment and Decision Making
  • β˜…Speaking

Skill Development Tips

  • β€’Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
  • β€’Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
  • β€’Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
  • β€’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
πŸ”₯

Hot Technologies in Demand

These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field

Salesforce software

πŸ”₯ Hot Tech

MySQL

πŸ”₯ Hot Tech

Microsoft Access

πŸ”₯ Hot Tech

Adobe InDesign

πŸ”₯ Hot Tech

Microsoft Visual Basic

πŸ”₯ Hot Tech

Adobe Acrobat

πŸ”₯ Hot Tech

Microsoft SharePoint

πŸ”₯ Hot Tech

Microsoft Outlook

πŸ”₯ Hot Tech

Extensible markup language XML

πŸ”₯ Hot Tech

SAP software

πŸ”₯ Hot Tech

Adobe Creative Cloud software

πŸ”₯ Hot Tech

Adobe Illustrator

πŸ”₯ Hot Tech

Technology 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

πŸ“š Technology Learning Resources

Recommended Certifications

  • β€’Vendor-specific software certifications
  • β€’Industry-recognized technology credentials
  • β€’Professional development courses

Online Learning Platforms

  • β€’LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
  • β€’Coursera - University-level programs
  • β€’Udemy - Practical skills training

πŸ’‘ Technology Skill Development Tips

  • β€’Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
  • β€’Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
  • β€’Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
  • β€’Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers

What's the work environment like?

🏒
Location
MOSTLY INDOOR
πŸ’ͺ
Physical Demand
VERY HIGH
πŸ‘₯
Team Orientation
SOME TEAM
🀝
Customer Interaction
OCCASIONAL

πŸ’‘Is This Work Environment Right for You?

Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:

  • β€’Are you comfortable working in mostly indoor environments?
  • β€’Can you meet very high physical demands?
  • β€’Do you enjoy some team team environments?
  • β€’Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?

What education is required?

Education Required

Vocational school, on-the-job training, or associate degree

Experience Required

Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience required

Job Training

Training of more than one year