California Median
$71,930
per year
Hourly Rate
$34.58
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+30% vs US median
US median $55,290
State Rank
#2 of 27
320 employed here
How much does a Desktop Publisher make in California?
A Desktop Publisher working in California earns a median salary of $71,930 per year, or about $34.58 per hour. That is 30% above the national median of $55,290 for this occupation.
Within California, entry-level pay starts around $42,080 while the top 10% make $115,410 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $51,620 and $94,710 a year.
Desktop Publisher salary range in California
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $42,080 | $20.23 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $51,620 | $24.82 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $71,930 | $34.58 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $94,710 | $45.53 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $115,410 | $55.49 |
|
How California compares
California ranks 2nd out of 27 states and territories for Desktop Publisher pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Desktop Publisher salary in other states
Colorado $77,750Maryland $69,820New Jersey $63,020South Carolina $62,320Illinois $61,350Massachusetts $61,170Texas $57,760New York $56,660Minnesota $54,930Vermont $53,550Ohio $53,380Florida $52,720Arizona $52,000Oregon $50,650Indiana $49,070New Hampshire $48,300Louisiana $47,130Maine $47,100Oklahoma $46,040Wisconsin $46,010Kentucky $45,760Michigan $45,300Tennessee $44,440North Carolina $43,700Georgia $39,460Nebraska $36,280
Working as a Desktop Publisher in California
Nationally, about 3,000 people work as Desktop Publishers in the United States. A high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job.
Considering a move? Compare California pay ($71,930) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Desktop Publisher make in California?
The median Desktop Publisher salary in California is $71,930 per year, or about $34.58 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $42,080 at the entry level to $115,410 for the top 10% of earners.
How does California pay compare to the national average?
California pays Desktop Publishers about 30% more than the national median of $55,290. California ranks 2nd out of 27 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is California a good state for Desktop Publishers?
Yes on pay — California pays above the national median for this occupation, at $71,930 a year. About 320 Desktop Publishers are employed in California. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in California?
The highest-paying occupations in California include Ophthalmologist, Except Pediatric ($400,150), Neurologist ($357,080), Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers ($353,900), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Desktop Publisher salary report
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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.