Desktop Publisher Salary in Kentucky (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Desktop Publishers in Kentucky, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Kentucky Median
$45,760
per year
Hourly Rate
$22.00
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-17% vs US median
US median $55,290
State Rank
#22 of 27
40 employed here

How much does a Desktop Publisher make in Kentucky?

Desktop Publishers in Kentucky take home a median of $45,760 annually — roughly $22.00 an hour — which runs 17% below the national median of $55,290.

Within Kentucky, entry-level pay starts around $19,200 while the top 10% make $58,510 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $30,630 and $53,420 a year.

Desktop Publisher salary range in Kentucky

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$19,200$9.23
25th percentile (early career)$30,630$14.73
50th percentile (median)$45,760$22.00
75th percentile (experienced)$53,420$25.68
90th percentile (top earners)$58,510$28.13

How Kentucky compares

Kentucky ranks 22nd out of 27 states and territories for Desktop Publisher pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1Colorado$77,750
2California$71,930
3Maryland$69,820
4New Jersey$63,020
5South Carolina$62,320

Working as a Desktop Publisher in Kentucky

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 Kentucky pay ($45,760) 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 Kentucky?
The median Desktop Publisher salary in Kentucky is $45,760 per year, or about $22.00 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $19,200 at the entry level to $58,510 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Kentucky pay compare to the national average?
Kentucky pays Desktop Publishers about 17% less than the national median of $55,290. Kentucky ranks 22nd out of 27 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Kentucky a good state for Desktop Publishers?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $45,760 a year. About 40 Desktop Publishers are employed in Kentucky. A lower cost of living can offset the smaller paycheck, so compare take-home value, not just salary.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Kentucky?
The highest-paying occupations in Kentucky include Cardiologist ($558,180), Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers ($350,950), Anesthesiologist ($347,960), 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.