Desktop Publishers pay range in Washington
New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $49,140 a year or less, while the top 10% make $95,220 or more. The middle half of desktop publishers in Washington earn between $59,760 and $78,710.
- $49K10th
- $60K25th
- $73KMedian
- $79K75th
- $95K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers
| Pay level | Per year | Per month | Per hour* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $71,360 | $5,947 | $34.31 |
| Median | $72,590 | $6,049 | $34.90 |
| Entry level (25th percentile) | $59,760 | $4,980 | $28.73 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $78,710 | $6,559 | $37.84 |
*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year.
Desktop Publishers salary after taxes in Washington
On the average salary of $71,360, a single filer in Washington takes home about $55,840 a year, or $4,653 a month and $2,148 every two weeks. Taxes take 22% of gross pay.
The Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area crosses state lines, so take-home pay depends on the state where you work:
| State | Per year | Per month |
|---|---|---|
| Working in WV | $56,653 | $4,721 |
| Working in MD | $55,854 | $4,654 |
| Working in DC | $55,840 | $4,653 |
| Working in VA | $55,743 | $4,645 |
Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2026 rules).
Is Washington a good place for desktop publishers? Pay vs. cost of living
Prices in the Washington area are 9% above the U.S. average (BEA price parity 108.9), so the average $71,360 buys what about $65,538 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 1.0 times the median wage of all jobs in Washington ($71,060). A typical home costs $583,013, or 8.2 years of this average salary before tax.
Desktop Publishers salary in nearby metro areas
- Baltimore, MD$63,180
- New York, NY$73,830
- Boston, MA$71,350
- Indianapolis, IN$52,530
- Atlanta, GA$56,880
- Chicago, IL$61,730
Highest-paying cities for desktop publishers
San Francisco, CA pays this job the most of the metro areas we cover ($89,920).
- San Francisco, CA$89,920
- Los Angeles, CA$82,020
- Denver, CO$76,270
- Sacramento, CA$75,730
- New York, NY$73,830
Does this match what you are paid?
Anonymous, no account. Results update as visitors answer.
Share your pay anonymously
Desktop Publishers salary in Washington: questions
How much do desktop publishers make an hour in Washington?
$34.31 an hour on average, and $34.90 at the median (BLS, May 2025).
What is the entry-level desktop publishers salary in Washington?
The lowest-paid 10% earn about $49,140 a year and the 25th percentile is $59,760, a fair guide to starting pay.
What is the desktop publishers take-home pay in Washington?
About $55,840 a year ($4,653 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $71,360.
Do desktop publishers earn more in Washington than elsewhere?
The average here is 9% more than the U.S. metro average for this job ($65,516).
Sources and how to read this page
- Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. SOC code 43-9031; area Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV (47900). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 7.8%.
- Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
- Home value: Zillow Home Value Index. Typical-wage figure: OEWS all occupations, same metro.
- Take-home pay: Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2026 rules).
- Job concentration: location quotient 1.81, this job is 1.8 times as concentrated as in the U.S. overall.
Read the full methodology. Spotted an error? Tell us.