Desktop Publishers
Machines can already do 67% of this job's tasks. By 2035 that rises to 90%. Most of the work is changing now.
Share of the work machines can do
Worldwide baseline, 2026 to 2050
Desktop Publishers in 2026: the short answer
- Today: machines can do 67% of this job's tasks, and AI use is already seen in 46% of them.
- Forecast: machines can already do half of its tasks, and 90% by 2035, according to the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit.
- Size: 3,350 people do this job in the United States, on a median pay of $55,290 a year.
- Contact with people: it scores 68% for contact with people.
- Also called: Advertising Associate, Compositor, Computer Typesetter, Design Editor.
Updated by the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit. These are worldwide baseline figures; the Workforce Starburst shows them for your country. Go deeper: How ready am I? or an executive briefing.
How the work changes, task by task
The tasks that take up most of the day, with the share of each that machines can do in 2026 (dark) and 2035 (pink). Worldwide baseline.
| Task | Share of the day | Machines can do | 2026 to 2035 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Operate desktop publishing software and equipment to design, lay out, and produce camera-ready copy | 18% | 78% to 97% | |
| Position text and art elements from a variety of databases in a visually appealing way to design print or web pages, using knowledge of type styles and size and layout patterns | 15% | 80% to 97% | |
| Check preliminary and final proofs for errors and make necessary corrections | 12% | 50% to 85% | |
| Enter text into computer keyboard and select the size and style of type, column width, and appropriate spacing for printed materials | 11% | 82% to 97% | |
| Import text and art elements, such as electronic clip art or electronic files from photographs that have been scanned or produced with a digital camera, using computer software | 7% | 82% to 97% | |
| View monitors for visual representation of work in progress and for instructions and feedback throughout process, making modifications as necessary | 5% | 40% to 80% | |
| Prepare sample layouts for approval, using computer software | 5% | 65% to 92% | |
| Edit graphics and photos, using pixel or bitmap editing, airbrushing, masking, or image retouching | 5% | 82% to 97% |
The skills this job runs on
The skills desktop publishers use most, most used first.
Safer jobs nearby
Jobs with a similar skill shape where machines can do less of the work by 2035.
- Web Administrators78% of tasks by 2035 · US median $116,580
- Cartographers and Photogrammetrists77% of tasks by 2035 · US median $81,390
- Motion Picture Projectionists70% of tasks by 2035 · US median $38,270
- Surveying and Mapping Technicians68% of tasks by 2035 · US median $54,240
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Questions
When will machines do half of the tasks of Desktop Publishers?
Machines can already do half of its tasks. That is the worldwide baseline from the 311 Workforce Starburst, before adjusting for country.
Will AI take the job of desktop publishers?
Machines can do 67% of the tasks of desktop publishers today and 90% by 2035. Most of the routine work moves to machines, and the people in the job move to oversight, judgement and client work.
Sources and citing
Tasks and their share of the day: O*NET 31.0, occupation 43-9031.00 (US Department of Labor, CC BY 4.0). Pay and jobs: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. AI use today: Anthropic Economic Index (CC BY). Scoring and forecast: the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit; after 2035 the figures extend each trend, with lower confidence. Foresight, not advice.
Cite as: 311 Institute (2026). Desktop Publishers: the outlook to 2050. 311 Workforce Starburst. https://www.311institute.com/jobs/desktop-publishers/