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Desktop Publishing Operator II Salary in the United States

How much does a Desktop Publishing Operator II make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Desktop Publishing Operator II in the United States is $62,637 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $30.

However, a Desktop Publishing Operator II's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $82,133
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $56,138 to $72,842
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $50,221
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Desktop Publishing Operator II Salaries

A Desktop Publishing Operator II's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Desktop Publishing Operator II Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Desktop Publishing Operator II's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Desktop Publishing Operator I (0-1 years): $56,526
  • Desktop Publishing Operator II (1-3 years): $62,637
  • Desktop Publishing Operator III (3-5 years): $75,167
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Desktop Publishing Operator I0-1 years$56,526
Desktop Publishing Operator II1-3 years$62,637
Desktop Publishing Operator III3-5 years$75,167
View as Graph

How Do Desktop Publishing Operator II Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Desktop Publishing Operator IIs. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $69,352.
  • California: $69,089.
  • Massachusetts: $68,168.

Top Paying Cities for Desktop Publishing Operator IIs

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $79,004
  • San Francisco: $78,139
  • Oakland: $76,492

What Skills Can Increase a Desktop Publishing Operator II's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Presentation (Mentioned in 3.27% Job Postings): Presentation conveys information from a speaker to an audience. Presentations are typically demonstrations, introduction, lecture, or speech meant to inform, persuade, inspire, motivate, build goodwill, or present a new idea/product.
  • Illustrator (Mentioned in 3.53% Job Postings): Adobe Illustrator is a vector graphics editor and design program developed and marketed by Adobe Inc. Originally designed for the Apple Macintosh, development of Adobe Illustrator began in 1985. Along with Creative Cloud, Illustrator CC was released.
  • WordPress (Mentioned in 2.52% Job Postings): WordPress is a free and open-source content management system written in PHP and paired with a MySQL or MariaDB database with supported HTTPS.
Skills Demand Percentage
Presentation 3.27%
Illustrator 3.53%
WordPress 2.52%
See More Skills

What skills can make your compensation higher?

Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a Desktop Publishing Operator II's salary.

  • Risk Management: Can increase your salary by up to 42%.
  • Security Clearance: Can increase your salary by up to 19%.
  • RFP: Can increase your salary by up to 18%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Risk Management $88,945
42%
Security Clearance $74,538
19%
RFP $73,912
18%
Get Latest Data

Desktop Publishing Operator II Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Desktop Publishing Operator II salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $69,999. While startup companies pay approximate $59,212.

Desktop Publishing Operator II Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $59,212
Growth Stage 51~500 $62,623
Established 501~5000 $67,593
Enterprise 5000+ $69,999

Desktop Publishing Operator II Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Desktop Publishing Operator II roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 60% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Software & Networking and Financial Services sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 36% above the average. In contrast, Desktop Publishing Operator positions in Hospitality & Leisure or Transportation typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Desktop Publishing Operator II as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Desktop Publishing Operator II

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Software & Networking$85,343$41.036%
Financial Services$79,079$38.026%
Pharmaceuticals$75,947$37.021%
Biotechnology$72,816$35.016%
Energy & Utilities$69,684$34.011%

Desktop Publishing Operator II Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Desktop Publishing Operator II's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on September 01, 2026
$56,138
Average $62,637/year
$72,842
$4,678
Average $5,220/month
$6,070
$1,080
Average $1,205/week
$1,401
$27
Average $30/hour
$35
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $72,842 $6,070 $1,401 $35
Average $62,637 $5,220 $1,205 $30
25th Percentile $56,138 $4,678 $1,080 $27

Desktop Publishing Operator II Salary Growth & Career Path

Desktop Publishing Operator II

Next Role

Advancement

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As a Desktop Publishing Operator II, you have the following paths for advancement. The table below compares the salary raises for common next-step roles. By comparing these figures, you can choose the career path that best meets your financial goals.

Next Step Role Estimate Salary Projected Raise
Graphic Design Supervisor $100,024 60%
Package Design Manager $129,797 107%
Desktop Publishing Operator III $75,167 20%

Most common benefits for Desktop Publishing Operator II

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Desktop Publishing Operator II

Here are companies hiring for Desktop Publishing Operator II and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Desktop Publishing Operator II

1. Where can a Desktop Publishing Operator II earn the most?

A Desktop Publishing Operator II's earning potential can vary widely depending on several factors, including location, industry, experience, education, and the specific employer. According to the latest salary data by Salary.com, a Desktop Publishing Operator II earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Desktop Publishing Operator II is $79,004.

2. What is the highest pay for Desktop Publishing Operator II?

The highest pay for Desktop Publishing Operator II is $82,133.

3. What is the lowest pay for Desktop Publishing Operator II?

The lowest pay for Desktop Publishing Operator II is $50,221.

4. What are the responsibilities of Desktop Publishing Operator II?

Utilizes desktop publishing tools, equipment, and software packages to create and produce a variety of high quality communication materials that incorporate text and graphic images. Designs page layouts, charts, graphs, and computer graphics. Selects, imports, and edits graphic images used to enhance the impact of the materials. May require an associate degree. Typically reports to a manager or head of a unit/department. Works under moderate supervision. Gaining or has attained full proficiency in a specific area of discipline. Typically requires 1-3 years of related experience.

5. What industry pays the highest salary for Desktop Publishing Operator II?

The Software & Networking industry offers the highest average compensation for Desktop Publishing Operator II roles, with salaries approximately 36% above the market median.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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