Top 15 cities for desktop publishers by average salary
| San Francisco, CA | $89,920 |
|---|---|
| Los Angeles, CA | $82,020 |
| Denver, CO | $76,270 |
| Sacramento, CA | $75,730 |
| New York, NY | $73,830 |
| Washington, DC | $71,360 |
| Boston, MA | $71,350 |
| Minneapolis, MN | $64,300 |
| Baltimore, MD | $63,180 |
| Chicago, IL | $61,730 |
| Dallas, TX | $61,690 |
| Portland, OR | $61,400 |
| Austin, TX | $59,360 |
| Atlanta, GA | $56,880 |
| Houston, TX | $52,690 |
Map: Desktop Publishers salary by metro area
Loading map…
Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.
Desktop Publishers salary by state
California pays desktop publishers the most statewide, $78,250 a year on average. Statewide columns cover every employer in the state; city columns cover the metro areas we publish.
| State | Statewide average | Statewide median | Jobs | Metros | Highest city average | Lowest city average |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| California | $78,250 | $71,930 | 320 | 3 | $89,920 | $75,730 |
| Colorado | $76,500 | $77,750 | n/a | 1 | $76,270 | $76,270 |
| Washington, D.C. | n/a | n/a | n/a | 1 | $71,360 | $71,360 |
| New York | $68,540 | $56,660 | 350 | 1 | $73,830 | $73,830 |
| Maryland | $67,050 | $69,820 | 140 | 1 | $63,180 | $63,180 |
| South Carolina | $66,880 | $62,320 | 40 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| New Jersey | $66,750 | $63,020 | 100 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Massachusetts | $65,980 | $61,170 | 80 | 1 | $71,350 | $71,350 |
| Illinois | $61,780 | $61,350 | 150 | 1 | $61,730 | $61,730 |
| Minnesota | $60,680 | $54,930 | 90 | 1 | $64,300 | $64,300 |
| Arizona | $59,390 | $52,000 | 30 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Oregon | $57,850 | $50,650 | 90 | 1 | $61,400 | $61,400 |
| Ohio | $57,570 | $53,380 | 60 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Texas | $56,360 | $57,760 | 270 | 3 | $61,690 | $52,690 |
| Florida | $55,420 | $52,720 | 150 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| New Hampshire | $54,240 | $48,300 | 30 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Georgia | $53,930 | $39,460 | 230 | 1 | $56,880 | $56,880 |
| Tennessee | $51,800 | $44,440 | 40 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| North Carolina | $51,410 | $43,700 | 80 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Vermont | $50,230 | $53,550 | 50 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Oklahoma | $50,070 | $46,040 | 40 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Michigan | $50,000 | $45,300 | 40 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Indiana | $49,730 | $49,070 | 130 | 1 | $52,530 | $52,530 |
| Louisiana | $49,690 | $47,130 | 40 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Maine | $46,280 | $47,100 | 30 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Wisconsin | $45,630 | $46,010 | 40 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Kentucky | $42,250 | $45,760 | 40 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Alaska | n/a | n/a | 90 | 1 | $40,540 | $40,540 |
| Nebraska | $39,460 | $36,280 | 40 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
Desktop Publishers salary in every city we cover
Sort by any column. Each city links to its pay range, take-home pay and cost of living.
| Metro area | Average | Median | Hourly | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco, CA | $89,920 | $83,280 | $43.23 | 60 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $82,020 | $82,010 | $39.43 | n/a |
| Denver, CO | $76,270 | $77,740 | $36.67 | n/a |
| Sacramento, CA | $75,730 | $77,750 | $36.41 | 60 |
| New York, NY | $73,830 | $63,020 | $35.50 | 320 |
| Washington, DC | $71,360 | $72,590 | $34.31 | 120 |
| Boston, MA | $71,350 | $80,960 | $34.30 | 60 |
| Minneapolis, MN | $64,300 | $57,310 | $30.91 | 50 |
| Baltimore, MD | $63,180 | $63,030 | $30.38 | 60 |
| Chicago, IL | $61,730 | $58,130 | $29.68 | 120 |
| Dallas, TX | $61,690 | $68,060 | $29.66 | 90 |
| Portland, OR | $61,400 | $61,020 | $29.52 | 40 |
| Austin, TX | $59,360 | $54,980 | $28.54 | 40 |
| Atlanta, GA | $56,880 | $42,730 | $27.34 | 140 |
| Houston, TX | $52,690 | $50,770 | $25.33 | 50 |
| Indianapolis, IN | $52,530 | $50,980 | $25.25 | 60 |
| Anchorage, AK | $40,540 | $35,690 | $19.49 | 70 |
Related jobs
- Data Entry KeyersU.S. average $43,310
- Insurance Claims and Policy Processing ClerksU.S. average $52,920
- Office Clerks, GeneralU.S. average $46,420
- Office and Administrative Support Workers, All OtherU.S. average $48,670
- Word Processors and TypistsU.S. average $51,120
- Mail Clerks and Mail Machine Operators, Except Postal ServiceU.S. average $41,650
- Office Machine Operators, Except ComputerU.S. average $43,220
- Proofreaders and Copy MarkersU.S. average $54,800
Desktop Publishers salary: questions
Where do desktop publishers make the most money?
In San Francisco, CA, with an average of $89,920 a year, among the 17 metro areas we cover.
What is the average desktop publishers salary in the U.S.?
$61,970 a year nationwide (BLS OEWS national estimates, May 2025); the median is $55,290, so half of desktop publishers earn more than that and half less.
What salary should desktop publishers ask for?
Start from the figures for your city: the middle half of desktop publishers nationwide earn between $43,730 (25th percentile) and $73,840 (75th percentile). Newer workers usually start near the 25th percentile and experienced ones can ask for the 75th; each city page shows the local range. See how to read salary percentiles.
Which state pays desktop publishers the most?
California, with a statewide average of $78,250 a year (BLS state estimates, May 2025).
Where is desktop publishers pay the lowest?
Anchorage, AK, at $40,540 a year on average. Lower pay often comes with lower prices: check the cost of living on each city page.
Sources and how to read this page
- Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. SOC code 43-9031.
- U.S. and statewide figures: BLS OEWS national and state estimates, May 2025, every employer including rural areas.
- Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
Read the full methodology. Spotted an error? Tell us.