Reviewing potential content for the magazine, corresponding with contributors and press, managing employees and business systems, exploring new ideas for projects, designing and implementing ideas into books and magazines.
CAREER
Desktop Publishers
Overview
Salary Median (2020)
$47,560
Projected Job Growth (2019-2029)
-19% (decline)
Most Common Level of Education
Associate's degree
Career
Roadtrip Nation Leaders in This Career
What Desktop Publishers Do
Format typescript and graphic elements using computer software to produce publication-ready material.
Other Job Titles Desktop Publishers May Have
Advertising Associate, Compositor, Computer Typesetter, Design Editor, Desktop Operator, Desktop Publishing Specialist, Electronic Console Display Operator, Electronic Imager, Electronic Publishing Specialist, Publisher
How Leaders Describe a Typical Day at Work
I'm constantly balancing interests - those of the editorial board and the newsroom, plus our readers and those who take the time to write and tell us how they feel about our coverage of the news. I want the pages I design to be entertaining, enlightening and packed with information.
Tasks & Responsibilities May Include
- Operate desktop publishing software and equipment to design, lay out, and produce camera-ready copy.
- Check preliminary and final proofs for errors and make necessary corrections.
- Position text and art elements from a variety of databases in a visually appealing way to design print or web pages, using knowledge of type styles and size and layout patterns.
- View monitors for visual representation of work in progress and for instructions and feedback throughout process, making modifications as necessary.
- Enter text into computer keyboard and select the size and style of type, column width, and appropriate spacing for printed materials.
Education
Level of Education Attained by Desktop Publishers
Most common level of education among people in
this career: Bachelor's degree (29%)
High school diploma or equivalent
Some college, no degree
Bachelor's degree
Other*
*All other responses combined for clarity.
Majors Related to Career
Educational Paths Suggested by Leaders
Suggested Path
High School
Bachelor
Design and Visual Communications, General
Suggested Path
Graduate
Digital Communication and Media/Multimedia
Additional Skills & Experiences That Can Help You Excel
Business knowledge and marketing skills would be advantageous.
Read, read, read. Everything. All the time everywhere. Make digital media your second language. Become a news consumer. And master newspaper production software - print and digital. Remember, the future is digital, but print is here to stay.
Getting Started
Recommended First Step for:
High School Students
An education at a reputable graphic design college is a good start to the path of a career in publishing.
College Students
Everyone
This page includes information from theO*NET 26.1 Databaseby the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under theCC BY 4.0license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.
