Desktop Publisher Salary in 2026
How Much Do Desktop Publishers Make?
Desktop Publishers earn a median annual salary of $53,620 as of 2026, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data. Wages span from $34,650 at the 10th percentile to $92,880 at the 90th percentile — a range of $58,230. The highest-paying state is Colorado at $75,490.
| Percentile | Annual salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $34,650 |
| 25th percentile | $42,680 |
| Median (50th) | $53,620 |
| 75th percentile | $71,990 |
| 90th percentile | $92,880 |
Desktop Publisher Salary by State
Median annual salary across all 50 states. Click a column to sort.
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Coloradotop | $75,490 |
| New York | $65,740 |
| New Jersey | $65,650 |
| California | $63,620 |
| Minnesota | $61,020 |
| Oregon | $61,020 |
| Maryland | $56,590 |
| Louisiana | $55,110 |
| Massachusetts | $54,590 |
| Arizona | $54,310 |
| Illinois | $53,730 |
| Florida | $51,850 |
| Indiana | $51,520 |
| South Carolina | $50,660 |
| Maine | $48,660 |
| Texas | $47,940 |
| Missouri | $46,770 |
| North Carolina | $46,380 |
| Ohio | $45,130 |
| Georgia | $45,000 |
| Oklahoma | $43,790 |
| Tennessee | $42,940 |
| Nebraska | $38,070 |
| Kentucky | $33,780 |
Highest-Paying Metros for Desktop Publishers
Desktop Publisher Salary by Experience
Estimated salary ranges derived from BLS wage percentiles. Entry level corresponds to P10–P25, mid-career to the median, experienced to P75, and senior to P90+.
| Experience level | Estimated salary |
|---|---|
| Entry level (0–2 yrs) | ~$34,650 – $42,680 |
| Mid career (3–7 yrs) | ~$53,620 |
| Experienced (8–15 yrs) | ~$71,990 |
| Senior (15+ yrs) | $92,880+ |
How to Earn More as a Desktop Publisher
Location is the single biggest salary lever: Desktop Publishers in Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA earn $74,410 — $20,790 above the national median. Earning an additional certification or completing a bachelor's degree can push your salary from the median toward the 75th percentile. Reaching the 75th percentile ($71,990) typically requires 5–10 years of experience plus specialization in a high-demand area.
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Desktop Publisher Salary vs Similar Careers
| Career | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Desktop Publisherthis career | $53,620 |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $103,790 |
| Computer Programmer | $98,670 |
| Software Developer | $133,080 |
| Web Developer | $90,930 |
Find out where you stand — free in 2 minutes
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SOC: 43-9031.00 · Data: BLS OEWS 2026, O*NET 29.1 · Salary figures are national medians unless otherwise noted.