Desktop Publisher salary in North Carolina
Desktop Publishers in North Carolina earn a median of $43,700 a year ($21.01 an hour), based on BLS data for 80 workers.
Pay ranges from $38,130 for the lowest-paid 10% to $84,630 for the top 10%. That is 21% lower than the national median of $55,290. North Carolina ranks 25th of 27 states for desktop publishers pay. There are 0.01 desktop publishers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.71). The average (mean) salary is $51,410, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for desktop publishers in North Carolina
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $38,130 | $18.33 |
| 25th percentile | $39,450 | $18.97 |
| Median | $43,700 | $21.01 |
| 75th percentile | $51,490 | $24.76 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $84,630 | $40.69 |
| Average (mean) | $51,410 | $24.72 |
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 | $3,641.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,820.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,680.77 |
| Weekly | $840.38 |
| Hourly | $21.01 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
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 North Carolina
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Office Clerks, General | $41,770 | $20.08 |
| Insurance Claims and Policy Processing Clerks | $48,130 | $23.14 |
| Office and Administrative Support Workers, All Other | $48,890 | $23.51 |
| Data Entry Keyer | $39,610 | $19.04 |
| Mail Clerks and Mail Machine Operators, Except Postal Service | $37,830 | $18.19 |
| Office Machine Operators, Except Computer | $44,480 | $21.39 |
| Proofreaders and Copy Markers | $46,140 | $22.18 |
| Customer Service Representative | $40,240 | $19.35 |
| Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants | $44,190 | $21.24 |
| Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks | $47,930 | $23.04 |
| Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive | $45,790 | $22.01 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers | $62,340 | $29.97 |
| Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks | $43,040 | $20.69 |
| Receptionists and Information Clerks | $35,440 | $17.04 |
More: Office and Administrative Support Occupations · all salaries in North Carolina
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 North Carolina?
The median salary for desktop publishers in North Carolina is $43,700 a year, or $21.01 an hour. Pay ranges from $38,130 for the lowest-paid 10% to $84,630 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid desktop publishers make in North Carolina?
The top 10% of desktop publishers in North Carolina earn at least $84,630 a year. The top 25% earn $51,490 or more.
What is the starting pay for desktop publishers in North Carolina?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $38,130 a year, and a quarter of desktop publishers earn $39,450 or less.
How many desktop publishers work in North Carolina?
About 80 desktop publishers are employed in North Carolina, not counting the self-employed.