Desktop Publisher salary in California
Desktop Publishers in California earn a median of $71,930 a year ($34.58 an hour), based on BLS data for 320 workers.
Pay ranges from $42,080 for the lowest-paid 10% to $115,410 for the top 10%. That is 30% higher than the national median of $55,290. California ranks 2nd of 27 states for desktop publishers pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.02 desktop publishers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $78,250, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for desktop publishers in California
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $42,080 | $20.23 |
| 25th percentile | $51,620 | $24.82 |
| Median | $71,930 | $34.58 |
| 75th percentile | $94,710 | $45.54 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $115,410 | $55.49 |
| Average (mean) | $78,250 | $37.62 |
Half of desktop publishers earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $5,994.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,997.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,766.54 |
| Weekly | $1,383.27 |
| Hourly | $34.58 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Desktop Publisher salary in cities in California
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $83,280 | 60 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $82,010 | n/a |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $77,750 | 60 |
Highest-paying states for desktop publishers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Colorado | $77,750 |
| California | $71,930 |
| Maryland | $69,820 |
| New Jersey | $63,020 |
| South Carolina | $62,320 |
| Illinois | $61,350 |
| Massachusetts | $61,170 |
| Texas | $57,760 |
| New York | $56,660 |
| Minnesota | $54,930 |
Related jobs in California
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Office Clerks, General | $48,460 | $23.30 |
| Insurance Claims and Policy Processing Clerks | $56,800 | $27.31 |
| Office and Administrative Support Workers, All Other | $54,020 | $25.97 |
| Data Entry Keyer | $47,010 | $22.60 |
| Word Processors and Typists | $56,380 | $27.11 |
| Mail Clerks and Mail Machine Operators, Except Postal Service | $44,410 | $21.35 |
| Office Machine Operators, Except Computer | $47,150 | $22.67 |
| Proofreaders and Copy Markers | $57,490 | $27.64 |
| Statistical Assistant | $82,580 | $39.70 |
| Customer Service Representative | $49,560 | $23.83 |
| Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive | $55,400 | $26.64 |
| Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks | $59,230 | $28.48 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers | $77,590 | $37.30 |
| Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants | $54,490 | $26.20 |
More: Office and Administrative Support Occupations · all salaries in California
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 43-9031. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a desktop publisher make in California?
The median salary for desktop publishers in California is $71,930 a year, or $34.58 an hour. Pay ranges from $42,080 for the lowest-paid 10% to $115,410 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid desktop publishers make in California?
The top 10% of desktop publishers in California earn at least $115,410 a year. The top 25% earn $94,710 or more.
What is the starting pay for desktop publishers in California?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $42,080 a year, and a quarter of desktop publishers earn $51,620 or less.
How many desktop publishers work in California?
About 320 desktop publishers are employed in California, not counting the self-employed.