Jobs Similar to Desktop Publishers
The careers below use the most similar skills, knowledge and work activities to desktop publishers, according to O*NET 31.0. The closest are Technical Writers, Proofreaders and Copy Markers and Film and Video Editors.
Desktop Publishers: $55,290 median pay · usual preparation: Training or associate.
Updated October 2026 · Data: O*NET 31.0 and BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
The 20 most similar careers
| # | Career | Similarity | Median pay (vs. Desktop Publishers) | Usual preparation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Technical Writers | 76% | $90,390+63% | Bachelor's degree |
| 2 | Proofreaders and Copy MarkersSame group | 74% | $51,120−8% | Bachelor's degree |
| 3 | Film and Video Editors | 73% | $75,420+36% | Bachelor's degree |
| 4 | Web Developers | 73% | $92,650+68% | Training or associate |
| 5 | Graphic Designers | 73% | $62,960+14% | Bachelor's degree |
| 6 | Statistical AssistantsSame group | 71% | $50,330−9% | Bachelor's degree |
| 7 | Special Effects Artists and Animators | 71% | $102,030+85% | Bachelor's degree |
| 8 | Web and Digital Interface Designers | 71% | $104,000+88% | Bachelor's degree |
| 9 | Prepress Technicians and Workers | 71% | $48,690−12% | Training or associate |
| 10 | Web Administrators | 70% | $116,580Broader BLS group · not compared | Bachelor's degree |
| 11 | Editors | 69% | $77,920+41% | Bachelor's degree |
| 12 | Cartographers and Photogrammetrists | 68% | $81,390+47% | Bachelor's degree |
| 13 | Document Management Specialists | 68% | $116,580Broader BLS group · not compared | Bachelor's degree |
| 14 | Data Warehousing Specialists | 68% | $139,500Broader BLS group · not compared | Bachelor's degree |
| 15 | Geographic Information Systems Technologists and Technicians | 68% | $116,580Broader BLS group · not compared | Bachelor's degree |
| 16 | Statisticians | 68% | $105,650+91% | Graduate degree |
| 17 | Social Science Research Assistants | 67% | $61,990+12% | Bachelor's degree |
| 18 | Video Game Designers | 67% | $104,000Broader BLS group · not compared | Bachelor's degree |
| 19 | Archivists | 67% | $64,550+17% | Graduate degree |
| 20 | Fabric and Apparel Patternmakers | 67% | $62,750+13% | Training or associate |
- 1Technical Writers
76% similar · $90,390 (+63%) · Bachelor's degree
- 2Proofreaders and Copy Markers
74% similar · $51,120 (−8%) · Bachelor's degree · Same group
- 3Film and Video Editors
73% similar · $75,420 (+36%) · Bachelor's degree
- 4Web Developers
73% similar · $92,650 (+68%) · Training or associate
- 5Graphic Designers
73% similar · $62,960 (+14%) · Bachelor's degree
- 6Statistical Assistants
71% similar · $50,330 (−9%) · Bachelor's degree · Same group
- 7Special Effects Artists and Animators
71% similar · $102,030 (+85%) · Bachelor's degree
- 8Web and Digital Interface Designers
71% similar · $104,000 (+88%) · Bachelor's degree
- 9Prepress Technicians and Workers
71% similar · $48,690 (−12%) · Training or associate
- 10Web Administrators
70% similar · $116,580 (broader group) · Bachelor's degree
- 11Editors
69% similar · $77,920 (+41%) · Bachelor's degree
- 12Cartographers and Photogrammetrists
68% similar · $81,390 (+47%) · Bachelor's degree
- 13Document Management Specialists
68% similar · $116,580 (broader group) · Bachelor's degree
- 14Data Warehousing Specialists
68% similar · $139,500 (broader group) · Bachelor's degree
- 15Geographic Information Systems Technologists and Technicians
68% similar · $116,580 (broader group) · Bachelor's degree
- 16Statisticians
68% similar · $105,650 (+91%) · Graduate degree
- 17Social Science Research Assistants
67% similar · $61,990 (+12%) · Bachelor's degree
- 18Video Game Designers
67% similar · $104,000 (broader group) · Bachelor's degree
- 19Archivists
67% similar · $64,550 (+17%) · Graduate degree
- 20Fabric and Apparel Patternmakers
67% similar · $62,750 (+13%) · Training or associate
Similarity: weighted correlation of O*NET 31.0 transferable skills (35%), knowledge (25%), work activities (15%) and interests (15%). Pay and schooling do not change it. Pay change compares BLS May 2025 national medians; careers with only a broader BLS group wage are not compared. “Same group”: the same BLS occupation group (SOC minor group). Methodology
Similar jobs that pay more
Only careers that usually need no more preparation than desktop publishers.
Thinking of a career change?
Similar is not the same as a good next step. Our career-change list for desktop publishers also weighs pay drops and extra schooling, and puts jobs outside the field first.
Jobs that can lead here
Careers where desktop publishers is one of the best career-change matches (match score in brackets).
Questions about jobs like desktop publishers
What jobs are most similar to desktop publishers?
By O*NET 31.0 data, the closest are Technical Writers (76% similar), Proofreaders and Copy Markers (74% similar), Film and Video Editors (73% similar), Web Developers (73% similar) and Graphic Designers (73% similar).
Which jobs like desktop publishers pay more?
Among the 20 most similar careers, Statisticians ($105,650, +91%; usually a graduate degree), Web and Digital Interface Designers ($104,000, +88%; usually a bachelor's degree) and Special Effects Artists and Animators ($102,030, +85%; usually a bachelor's degree) have the highest BLS median pay compared with desktop publishers ($55,290). Without more preparation than desktop publishers usually need: Web Developers and Fabric and Apparel Patternmakers.
How is the similarity percentage worked out?
We compare how important each transferable skill, knowledge area, work activity and interest area is in both jobs (O*NET 31.0 ratings) with a weighted correlation. 100% would mean the same profile. Unlike our career-change matches, pay and extra schooling do not lower the similarity on this page.