Office & Admin43-9031.00Specialization

Desktop Publishers

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

$51,290
Median Pay
Less than 6 months
Training
πŸ”΄
High Disruption Risk

This is a specialization of

Other Office Support Workers

Career Overview Video

AI Impact Assessment

AI Resilience Score

Score 0/6: high AI task exposure, declining job demand, limited human advantage creates significant risk from AI disruption

πŸ”΄High Disruption Risk

How we calculated this:

AI Exposure
High+0

65% of tasks can be accelerated by AI

Job Growth
Declining+0

-12% projected (2024-2034)

Human Advantage
Weak+0

EPOCH score: 8/25

Total Score0/6
Methodology: v2.0 - GPTs are GPTs / BLS / EPOCH Additive ScoringUpdated: 2026-01-09

Key Responsibilities

  • 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.

Education & Training

Typical Entry Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Time to Job Ready

1-3 years

Based on Job Zone 3. For formal education duration only, see education_duration.

Technology Skills

Adobe InDesignAdobe IllustratorAdobe PhotoshopMicrosoft OfficePrepress software

Key Abilities

Near VisionInformation OrderingOriginalityVisualizationWritten ComprehensionFluency of IdeasOral ComprehensionWritten ExpressionProblem SensitivityCategory Flexibility

Ready to Start Your Career?

Find jobs and training programs for desktop publishers- Median salary: $51K/year

πŸ”

Find Jobs

Search positions from LinkedIn, Indeed, Glassdoor, and more. Get up to 50 relevant job listings with salary info.

  • Real-time results
  • Export to Excel
πŸ“š

Find Training

Discover training programs, certifications, and educational resources to help you get started or advance your career.

  • Local programs
  • DOL verified
Find Training Programs
Training data powered byCareerOneStop- U.S. Department of Labor

Compensation Details

$31,880
10th Percentile
$51,290
Median
$97,870
90th Percentile

Based on 5,220 employed workers

Also Known As

Advertising AssociateCompositorComputer CompositorComputer PublisherComputer TypesetterDesign EditorDesktop OperatorDesktop PublisherDesktop Publishing AssociateDesktop Publishing Specialist

Data from O*NET 30.1 and BLS Occupational Employment Statistics

O*NET Code: 43-9031.00