Desktop Publishers Salary in the United States
Median annual wage: $55,290 · Median hourly: $26.58 · Employment: 3,350
Annual Salary Percentiles
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $35,680 | $17.16 |
| 25th | $43,730 | $21.02 |
| Median | $55,290 | $26.58 |
| 75th | $73,840 | $35.50 |
| 90th | $96,170 | $46.23 |
Quick Facts
- Occupational code: 43-9031
- Total U.S. employment: 3,350
- Jobs per 1,000: —
- Hourly salary breakdown
- All-state comparison
What this means
Pay spans a wide range: workers at the 10th percentile earn about $35,680, while those at the 90th percentile earn about $96,170 — a 2.7x gap between entry-level and top earners.
Desktop Publishers Salary by State
The table below ranks every state by median annual wage. Click a state for detailed local data.
| State | Median Annual | Median Hourly | vs National | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alaska | — | — | — | 90 |
| Arizona | $52,000 | $25.00 | -6.0% | 30 |
| California | $71,930 | $34.58 | +30.1% | 320 |
| Colorado | $77,750 | $37.38 | +40.6% | 0 |
| Florida | $52,720 | $25.35 | -4.6% | 150 |
| Georgia | $39,460 | $18.97 | -28.6% | 230 |
| Illinois | $61,350 | $29.49 | +11.0% | 150 |
| Indiana | $49,070 | $23.59 | -11.2% | 130 |
| Kentucky | $45,760 | $22.00 | -17.2% | 40 |
| Louisiana | $47,130 | $22.66 | -14.8% | 40 |
| Maine | $47,100 | $22.64 | -14.8% | 30 |
| Maryland | $69,820 | $33.57 | +26.3% | 140 |
| Massachusetts | $61,170 | $29.41 | +10.6% | 80 |
| Michigan | $45,300 | $21.78 | -18.1% | 40 |
| Minnesota | $54,930 | $26.41 | -0.7% | 90 |
| Nebraska | $36,280 | $17.44 | -34.4% | 40 |
| New Hampshire | $48,300 | $23.22 | -12.6% | 30 |
| New Jersey | $63,020 | $30.30 | +14.0% | 100 |
| New York | $56,660 | $27.24 | +2.5% | 350 |
| North Carolina | $43,700 | $21.01 | -21.0% | 80 |
| Ohio | $53,380 | $25.66 | -3.5% | 60 |
| Oklahoma | $46,040 | $22.14 | -16.7% | 40 |
| Oregon | $50,650 | $24.35 | -8.4% | 90 |
| Pennsylvania | — | — | — | 140 |
| South Carolina | $62,320 | $29.96 | +12.7% | 40 |
| Tennessee | $44,440 | $21.37 | -19.6% | 40 |
| Texas | $57,760 | $27.77 | +4.5% | 270 |
| Vermont | $53,550 | $25.75 | -3.1% | 50 |
| Virginia | — | — | — | 50 |
| Wisconsin | $46,010 | $22.12 | -16.8% | 40 |
Data source: BLS OES state file · U.S. BLS OES, May 2024 (updated April 2025)
Related Occupations
- Maintenance and Repair Workers, General — $49,590/yr
- Accountants and Auditors — $83,680/yr
- Nursing Assistants — $42,260/yr
- First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers — $69,500/yr
- Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary — $36,780/yr
- Home Health and Personal Care Aides — $35,800/yr
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average salary for desktop publishers?
The median annual wage for desktop publishers is $55,290 ($26.58 per hour), according to the BLS OES survey for May 2024.
Which state pays desktop publishers the most?
Wages vary by state. Use the state table above to compare median annual pay across all 50 states and Washington, D.C.
How many desktop publishers are employed in the U.S.?
There are approximately 3,350 desktop publishers employed nationally, per BLS OES.
How much do desktop publishers make per hour?
The median hourly wage is $26.58. See the hourly salary page for the full percentile breakdown.