Desktop Publishers · California

Desktop Publishers Salary in California

Desktop Publishers in California earn a median annual wage of $71,930 —30.1% above the national median of $55,290. That ranks CA #2 of 27 covered states and territories for this occupation.

Median annual
$71,930
Median hourly
$34.58
Entry level (P10)
$42,080
10th percentile
Top 10% (P90)
$115,410
90th percentile
Employment
320
0.0 per 1,000 jobs
vs U.S. median
+30.1%
U.S. $55,290

Wage distribution

How earnings are spread across workers in this occupation, from the 10th to the 90th percentile.

10th percentile90th percentile
$42,080
$51,620
$71,930
$94,710
$42,080$71,930$115,410
Annual wage distribution. Highlighted segment contains the median of $71,930.

Employment is only 0.82× as concentrated as the national average — this occupation is relatively scarce in California.

Highest-paying states for desktop publishers

All 27 states ranked by median annual wage. California is highlighted.

#StateMedian annual Median hourlyEmploymentLocation quotient
1Colorado$77,750$37.38——
2California$71,930$34.583200.82
3Maryland$69,820$33.571402.27
4New Jersey$63,020$30.301001.09
5South Carolina$62,320$29.96400.85
6Illinois$61,350$29.491501.16
7Massachusetts$61,170$29.41801.05
8Texas$57,760$27.772700.90
9New York$56,660$27.243501.67
10Minnesota$54,930$26.41901.36

Related occupations in California

Occupations in the same job family, compared within California.

Frequently asked questions

How much do desktop publishers make in California?

The median annual wage for desktop publishers in California is $71,930, or $34.58 per hour. That is 30.1% above the national median of $55,290.

What is the entry-level desktop publishers salary in California?

Workers at the 10th percentile earn $42,080 per year ($20.23/hour). The 25th percentile is $51,620.

How many people work as desktop publishers in California?

About 320 people work in this occupation in California, or 0.0 per 1,000 jobs statewide.

Is California a good state for desktop publishers?

California ranks #2 of 27 states by median wage for this occupation. Employment is only 0.82x as concentrated as the national average, so this occupation is relatively scarce in California.

Which state pays desktop publishers the most?

Colorado has the highest median wage at $77,750 per year, followed by California ($71,930) and Maryland ($69,820).

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025. Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, cross-industry estimates. Retrieved 2026-10-26. Figures are rounded by BLS to the nearest dollar (annual) and cent (hourly). Percentile wages describe the distribution of workers, not the pay range for a single job posting. bls.gov/oes