Desktop Publishers Salary in the United States
The median annual wage for desktop publishers is $55,290, or $26.58 per hour. About 3,350 people work in this occupation nationwide. Wages vary substantially by state — from $77,750 in Colorado to $36,280 in Nebraska.
Wage distribution nationwide
Earnings spread across all U.S. workers in this occupation.
Salary by state
All 27 states with published data, ranked by median annual wage.
| # | State | Median annual | Median hourly | Employment | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Colorado | $77,750 | $37.38 | — | — |
| 2 | California | $71,930 | $34.58 | 320 | 0.82 |
| 3 | Maryland | $69,820 | $33.57 | 140 | 2.27 |
| 4 | New Jersey | $63,020 | $30.30 | 100 | 1.09 |
| 5 | South Carolina | $62,320 | $29.96 | 40 | 0.85 |
| 6 | Illinois | $61,350 | $29.49 | 150 | 1.16 |
| 7 | Massachusetts | $61,170 | $29.41 | 80 | 1.05 |
| 8 | Texas | $57,760 | $27.77 | 270 | 0.90 |
| 9 | New York | $56,660 | $27.24 | 350 | 1.67 |
| 10 | Minnesota | $54,930 | $26.41 | 90 | 1.36 |
| 11 | Vermont | $53,550 | $25.75 | 50 | 7.17 |
| 12 | Ohio | $53,380 | $25.66 | 60 | 0.48 |
| 13 | Florida | $52,720 | $25.35 | 150 | 0.70 |
| 14 | Arizona | $52,000 | $25.00 | 30 | 0.44 |
| 15 | Oregon | $50,650 | $24.35 | 90 | 2.14 |
| 16 | Indiana | $49,070 | $23.59 | 130 | 1.92 |
| 17 | New Hampshire | $48,300 | $23.22 | 30 | 2.38 |
| 18 | Louisiana | $47,130 | $22.66 | 40 | 0.88 |
| 19 | Maine | $47,100 | $22.64 | 30 | 2.29 |
| 20 | Oklahoma | $46,040 | $22.14 | 40 | 0.96 |
| 21 | Wisconsin | $46,010 | $22.12 | 40 | 0.67 |
| 22 | Kentucky | $45,760 | $22.00 | 40 | 0.98 |
| 23 | Michigan | $45,300 | $21.78 | 40 | 0.45 |
| 24 | Tennessee | $44,440 | $21.37 | 40 | 0.50 |
| 25 | North Carolina | $43,700 | $21.01 | 80 | 0.71 |
| 26 | Georgia | $39,460 | $18.97 | 230 | 2.21 |
| 27 | Nebraska | $36,280 | $17.44 | 40 | 1.71 |
Related occupations
Same job family, ranked by national employment.
Frequently asked questions
How much do desktop publishers make?
The median annual wage for desktop publishers in the United States is $55,290, or $26.58 per hour. Entry-level workers (10th percentile) earn $35,680, and the top 10% earn $96,170.
How many desktop publishers are employed in the U.S.?
About 3,350 people work as desktop publishers nationwide.
Which state pays desktop publishers the most?
Colorado pays the most at a median of $77,750, followed by California ($71,930) and Maryland ($69,820).
Which state pays desktop publishers the least?
Nebraska has the lowest median at $36,280.
Where are desktop publishers jobs most concentrated?
The location quotient measures employment concentration relative to the national average. The highest is Vermont at 7.17×.