Employment of desktop publishers is projected to decline by 15 percent from 2010 to 2020. Companies are expected to hire fewer desktop publishers as other types of workers—such as graphic designers, Web designers, and copy editors—increasingly take on desktop publishing tasks.
Desktop publishing is commonly used to design printed materials, such as advertisements, brochures, newsletters, and forms. However, increased computer-processing capacity and the widespread availability of more elaborate desktop publishing software will make it easier and more affordable for nonprinting professionals to create their own materials. As a result, there will be less need for people to specialize in desktop publishing.
Some of the tasks that desktop publishers do, such as creating initial page layouts or converting pages to PDF files, can now be automated, further reducing employment. And as companies increasingly look to save on costs, sending desktop publishing tasks to workers in other countries may increase.
Overall declines in the printing and publishing industries—those most likely to employ desktop publishers—will also restrict growth. As organizations increasingly publish their materials on the Internet instead of in print form, to save on printing and distribution costs, employment of desktop publishers may decline further.
Prospects will be better for those with a degree in graphic design or a related field, or for those with experience in desktop publishing. Electronic and Web-publishing expertise are increasingly in demand. Workers with a diverse range of skills, such as in graphic design, Web design, writing, and editing may have better prospects.
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2012-13 Edition