How to become a desktop publisher
Official title: Desktop publisher
Also called: Web publisher, Desktop publishing operator
Desktop publishers prepare and design print and digital publications. They may use software to design layouts, and edit graphics and text.
Main tasks
- Create layouts for printed documents
- Format text, images and graphics
- Proofread documents for accuracy
- Use publishing and design software
- Check documents meet quality standards
- Enter and update document information
- Read instructions for publishing projects
- Choose images, fonts and resources
How to become one
You usually need a qualification to become a desktop publisher and experience may be useful. You usually need NCEA Level 3 or University Entrance to do the study or training for this job. Other requirements: a New Zealand Diploma in Print Industry Management (Level 5); a New Zealand Diploma in Digital Media and Design (Level 5 or 6); a Graduate Diploma in Publishing (Applied); a bachelor's degree in graphics and design, communication and media or similar area; experience in similar work.
Ways in
- University: Communications & Media degrees, Offered by 4 universities in New Zealand
- Certificates and diplomas: Advanced certificates and diplomas in graphics and design. TEC links this job to study in graphics and design studies. Qualifications: NZ Dip in Digital Media and Design, NZ Dip in Animation, NZ Dip in Web Design and Production, Dip in Design. Usually 1 year. Graduates of these qualifications earn a median $42,000 a year one year after study and $56,000 five years after; 39% are employed one year after (TEC, from Stats NZ IDI data).
Pay · Past change
- Most common pay: $68,000 to $93,000 a year (median $80,000), a TEC estimate before tax.
- Lower: $52,000 a year · Upper: $111,000 a year
- TEC's pay figures are estimates only. TEC says they must not be used to set pay, in pay negotiations or in visa applications.
- Change in the number of people doing this job between the 2018 and 2023 Censuses: Decrease (TEC). This is past change, not a forecast.
Who does this work
- About 24 people did this job at the 2023 Census (TEC).
Related jobs
- Radio and TV programming director
- Printer
- Visual effects artist and animator
- Producer
- Director
- Casting director
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Questions people ask
How do I become a desktop publisher?
You usually need a qualification to become a desktop publisher and experience may be useful. You usually need NCEA Level 3 or University Entrance to do the study or training for this job. Other requirements: a New Zealand Diploma in Print Industry Management (Level 5); a New Zealand Diploma in Digital Media and Design (Level 5 or 6); a Graduate Diploma in Publishing (Applied); a bachelor's degree in graphics and design, communication and media or similar area; experience in similar work.
How much does a desktop publisher earn in New Zealand?
The Tertiary Education Commission estimates median pay at $80,000 a year, before tax. Most common pay is $68,000 to $93,000 a year.
Has the number of people working as a desktop publisher grown in New Zealand?
It has shrunk: TEC records a decrease in the number of people doing this job between the 2018 and 2023 Censuses. This is past change, not a forecast.
Sources
- Tertiary Education Commission (Tahatu Career Navigator): Tahatu career ideas: descriptions, tasks, pay estimates, people employed, employment change 2018 to 2023, entry requirements, registration, interest scores (Site scrape 2026-10 (816 career ideas, sitemap lastmod 2026-10-01)), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 4 October 2026
This content is sourced from the Tertiary Education Commission through the Tahatū Career Navigator website (www.tahatu.govt.nz) and used under the CC BY 4.0 licence. All or some of the information has been modified by Peernovo. TEC has not approved, endorsed or tested these modifications. TEC will not be held accountable for any errors within this content.
Qualification information from NZQA, used under CC BY 3.0 NZ.
This work is based on/includes Stats NZ's data which are licensed by Stats NZ for reuse under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International licence. Census data via Figure.NZ.
Includes information from O*NET OnLine by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Sources: Tertiary Education Commission, Tahatū Career Navigator (career ideas, pay estimates, entry requirements and study options, CC BY 4.0, modified by Peernovo); Stats NZ, 2023 Census (via Figure.NZ) and the National Occupation List (CC BY 4.0); NZQA qualification information (CC BY 3.0 NZ); O*NET interest scores (CC BY 4.0); ILO global generative AI exposure index (CC BY 4.0). Links between career ideas and ANZSCO groups, degree fields and broad job groups are Peernovo's.
These results are not official statistics. They have been created for research purposes from the Integrated Data Infrastructure (IDI), which is carefully managed by Stats NZ.
Graduate outcomes: these results are not official statistics. They have been created for research purposes from the Integrated Data Infrastructure (IDI), which is carefully managed by Stats NZ.
Updated 4 October 2026