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The differences between desktop publishing specialists and specialists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 6-12 months to become a desktop publishing specialist, becoming a specialist takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, a specialist has an average salary of $58,013, which is higher than the $53,593 average annual salary of a desktop publishing specialist.
The top three skills for a desktop publishing specialist include powerpoint, graphic design and proofreading. The most important skills for a specialist are patients, customer service, and work ethic.
| Desktop Publishing Specialist | Specialist | |
| Yearly salary | $53,593 | $58,013 |
| Hourly rate | $25.77 | $27.89 |
| Growth rate | -14% | 10% |
| Number of jobs | 3,740 | 358,433 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 64% | Bachelor's Degree, 49% |
| Average age | 43 | 42 |
| Years of experience | 12 | 2 |
A desktop publishing specialist prepares and processes documents and other materials for print or online publication. A desktop publishing specialist must have an eye for detail because they are primarily in charge of handling the layout, proofreading pages, designing and developing materials, identifying and correcting issues, and performing revisions as necessary. They usually coordinate with clients to determine their needs and preferences, completing projects within deadlines and budgets. Moreover, a desktop publishing specialist maintains a clear and open communication line with staff to ensure quality and efficient results.
Specialists are employees who are responsible for specific tasks or activities in the department they are assigned to. The actions or tasks they work on are related to their educational background or work experiences. They are usually highly skilled in specializations related to the work they are assigned to. Specialists are also highly trained on the competencies that are required of their specialty. As such, they are focused on the skills and competencies that are needed to enhance their experience in their specific field further.
Desktop publishing specialists and specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Desktop Publishing Specialist | Specialist | |
| Average salary | $53,593 | $58,013 |
| Salary range | Between $39,000 And $73,000 | Between $32,000 And $104,000 |
| Highest paying City | Foster City, CA | Jersey City, NJ |
| Highest paying state | Alaska | New Jersey |
| Best paying company | Citi | The Citadel |
| Best paying industry | Media | - |
There are a few differences between a desktop publishing specialist and a specialist in terms of educational background:
| Desktop Publishing Specialist | Specialist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 64% | Bachelor's Degree, 49% |
| Most common major | Graphic Design | Business |
| Most common college | University of Texas at Austin | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between desktop publishing specialists' and specialists' demographics:
| Desktop Publishing Specialist | Specialist | |
| Average age | 43 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 38.1% Female, 61.9% | Male, 47.5% Female, 52.5% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 11.1% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 17.8% Asian, 7.8% White, 57.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9% | Black or African American, 11.4% Unknown, 5.4% Hispanic or Latino, 16.4% Asian, 10.5% White, 55.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% |
| LGBT Percentage | 7% | 11% |