Desktop publishers
Salary, job outlook, AI risk & career information
Median Salary
$53,620
~$26/hr · ~$4,468/mo
US Jobs
5K
Decline
AI & Automation Risk
9/10
Very High
AI & Automation Risk
Very High 9/10
The work product is entirely digital and involves routine information processing, layout design, and basic editing—all areas where AI is highly proficient. Generative AI and automated layout tools can now handle text integration, image adjustment, and formatting with minimal human intervention, leading to a projected decline in the occupation as these tasks are automated or absorbed by other roles using AI tools.
Salary by City — What You Actually Take Home
Real purchasing power = salary adjusted for cost of living. Higher = more money in your pocket.
| City | Local Salary | Cost of Living | Real Purchasing Power |
|---|---|---|---|
| Denver-Aurora-Centennial, COBEST VALUE | $75,490 | Above avg (105.8) | $71,373 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $72,820 | Above avg (109.1) | $66,752 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $74,410 | Above avg (114.7) | $64,846 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $70,500 | Above avg (112.6) | $62,586 |
| Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX | $59,130 | Average (98.3) | $60,167 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | $65,330 | Above avg (110.4) | $59,179 |
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $61,020 | Above avg (104.3) | $58,503 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $61,190 | Above avg (106.7) | $57,340 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $65,710 | Above avg (117.6) | $55,899 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $61,210 | Above avg (109.5) | $55,878 |
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | $55,870 | Average (102.5) | $54,513 |
| Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD | $54,600 | Above avg (103.2) | $52,915 |
| Jacksonville, FL | $49,910 | Average (99.6) | $50,088 |
| Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL | $49,980 | Average (101.6) | $49,198 |
| Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ | $50,660 | Above avg (104.7) | $48,397 |
Cost of Living Index: 100 = US national average. Below 100 = cheaper. Above 100 = more expensive.
Education & Requirements
Education Required
Associate's degree
10-Year Growth
-12% (Decline)
Hourly Rate
~$26/hr
Monthly Income
~$4,468/mo
Related Careers
Data: Bureau of Labor Statistics OOH (2024)