Desktop operator vs computer publisher

The differences between desktop operators and computer publishers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 6-12 months to become both a desktop operator and a computer publisher. Additionally, a computer publisher has an average salary of $56,262, which is higher than the $51,191 average annual salary of a desktop operator.

Desktop operator vs computer publisher overview

	Desktop Operator	Computer Publisher
Yearly salary	$51,191	$56,262
Hourly rate	$24.61	$27.05
Growth rate	-14%	-14%
Number of jobs	28,886	13,710
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 50%	Associate Degree, 50%
Average age	43	43
Years of experience	12	12

Desktop operator vs computer publisher salary

Desktop operators and computer publishers have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Desktop Operator	Computer Publisher
Average salary	$51,191	$56,262
Salary range	Between $36,000 And $71,000	Between $25,000 And $125,000
Highest paying City	-	-
Highest paying state	-	-
Best paying company	-	-
Best paying industry	-	-

Differences between desktop operator and computer publisher education

There are a few differences between a desktop operator and a computer publisher in terms of educational background:

	Desktop Operator	Computer Publisher
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 50%	Associate Degree, 50%
Most common major	Graphic Design	Management
Most common college	University of Texas at Austin	Harvard University

Desktop operator vs computer publisher demographics

Here are the differences between desktop operators' and computer publishers' demographics:

	Desktop Operator	Computer Publisher
Average age	43	43
Gender ratio	Male, 61.2% Female, 38.8%	Male, 55.6% Female, 44.4%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 11.1% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 15.8% Asian, 7.4% White, 59.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%	Black or African American, 10.8% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 14.3% Asian, 5.3% White, 64.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage	7%	7%

Differences between desktop operator and computer publisher duties and responsibilities

Desktop operator example responsibilities.

Lead a cross discipline team to develop a new SERB database for Westlaw.
Create cover reprints using QuarkXpress.
Install, configure and support PC hardware and software.
Assemble pages in QuarkXpress 3.1 and impose in INposition 1.5.
Create new mass produce documents from inception to production through digital typesetting, proofing and testing.
Operate Macintosh computer for typesetting, color separations and scanning photographs, negatives, slides, color and black/white artwork.

Computer publisher example responsibilities.

Manage and perform administrative QC of electronic clinical submission modules within the Documentum document management system.
Analyze and troubleshoot equipment and software reliability to identify and define problem areas to establish computer and telecommunication performance levels.
Analyze and troubleshoot equipment and software reliability to identify and define problem areas to establish computer and telecommunication performance levels.

Desktop operator vs computer publisher skills

Common desktop operator skills

Adobe Photoshop, 14%
Mac, 14%
Adobe Indesign, 9%
Quark, 8%
PC, 8%
Color Correction, 6%

Common computer publisher skills

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Updated January 8, 2025

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