Desktop Publishers Salary
The median desktop publishers salary in the United States is $55,290 per year ($26.58/hour). Salaries range from $35,680 at the entry level to $96,170+ for the top 10% of earners. There are 3,350 desktop publishers jobs nationwide. Employment is projected to decline 12.4% through 2034.
Last updated: June 2026 · Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Median Salary
$55,290
per year
Hourly Rate
$26.58
per hour
Employment
3,350
jobs in the U.S.
Salary Distribution
10th percentile
$35,680
25th percentile
$43,730
Median
$55,290
75th percentile
$73,840
90th percentile
$96,170
Job Growth (2024-2034)
-12.4%
Decline
Annual Openings
400
jobs/year (growth + replacements)
Education Required
Associate's degree
Training Needed
Short-term on-the-job training
Desktop Publishers Salary by State
Best Cities (cost-adjusted) →Salary Map — Click a state for details
$36K$78K■ No data
Top Paying States
Colorado
$78K
+41%
California
$72K
+30%
Maryland
$70K
+26%
New Jersey
$63K
+14%
South Carolina
$62K
+13%
Illinois
$61K
+11%
Massachusetts
$61K
+11%
Texas
$58K
+4%
New York
$57K
+2%
Minnesota
$55K
-1%
Vertical line = national median. Click a state for full details.
| State | Median | vs. National |
|---|---|---|
| Colorado | $77,750 | +40.6% |
| California | $71,930 | +30.1% |
| Maryland | $69,820 | +26.3% |
| New Jersey | $63,020 | +14.0% |
| South Carolina | $62,320 | +12.7% |
| Illinois | $61,350 | +11.0% |
| Massachusetts | $61,170 | +10.6% |
| Texas | $57,760 | +4.5% |
| New York | $56,660 | +2.5% |
| Minnesota | $54,930 | -0.7% |
Showing 1–10 of 27
Desktop Publishers Salary by Metro Area
| Metro Area | Median | vs. National |
|---|---|---|
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $83,280 | +50.6% |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $82,010 | +48.3% |
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | $80,960 | +46.4% |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $77,750 | +40.6% |
| Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO | $77,740 | +40.6% |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $72,590 | +31.3% |
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | $68,060 | +23.1% |
| Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD | $63,030 | +14.0% |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $63,020 | +14.0% |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $61,020 | +10.4% |
Showing 1–10 of 17
Data Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS). Data reflects the most recent annual survey.
How does this compare to pro athletes?
A desktop publishers earning $55,290/year would need 1078 years to match Stephen Curry's NBA salary, or 1158 yearsto match Patrick Mahomes' NFL contract.
See all sports & celebrity salaries →📈 See how desktop publishers salaries have changed over the past decade.
View Desktop Publishers salary trend (2011–2024) →