Desktop Publishers

Office and Administrative Support Occupations

O*NET-SOC code: 43-9031.00

Format typescript and graphic elements using computer software to produce publication-ready material.

Data source: BLSPublished: 2026-08
Very high· relative
LowFour relative bandsVery high
Group-level value
Scale, basis and source
Four relative bands (Low / Moderate / High / Very high)
831 detailed occupations in the BLS Employment Projections table. Assigned per National Employment Matrix (NEM) code, so occupations sharing a NEM code carry the same band
Source dataset (XLSX download)
Data source: AnthropicPublished: 2026-03
0.464
0.000Range of values carried here0.745
Scale, basis and source
Observed exposure index, 0–1 as published
Mapped onto O*NET tasks
Published per SOC 2018 occupation; every O*NET occupation with the same SOC 2018 code carries this value
Source dataset (CSV download)
Data source: ILOPublished: 2025
0.38
0.09Range of values carried here0.70
Group-level value
Scale, basis and source
Generative AI exposure index, 0–1 as published
Published per ISCO-08 unit group. Linked to this occupation, wholly or in part, by applying U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics crosswalks (ISCO-08 to 2010 SOC, 2010 SOC to 2018 SOC) as published
Source dataset (PDF download)

What kind of figure this source publishes

The BLS category is a relative rank, not an absolute level, and it is not a first-hand measurement: it groups an occupation's percentile ranks across several published studies into four bands. It is not an employment or wage forecast, not a probability of adoption, and it does not separate automation from augmentation.

Task-level exposure

Show 1 hidden task

18 rated tasks · 17 tasks with β ≥ 0.5 (94.4%)

β = direct exposure (E1) + 0.5 × exposure when tools are available (E2), per the source repository's definition.

Source unit: O*NET 27.2 tasks → O*NET 31.0 occupation code
All rated tasks are in the O*NET 31.0 task list.

Source: OpenAI "GPTs are GPTs" exposure rubric
Release: gh-main-0471612
License: MIT License, Copyright (c) 2024 OpenAI

Values in this tab are predicted labels, not observations. Eloundou et al. (2023) published two rating regimes — human raters and GPT-4 — and the β shown here is derived from the GPT-4 rater basis alone; the same task can take a different value under the other regime. The unit and the meaning differ from the observed shares (%) in the other tabs, so do not place them on the same axis.

Task (O*NET 27.2)	βE1 + 0.5 × E2
Check preliminary and final proofs for errors and make necessary corrections. O*NET Task ID 2815	1.0
Enter text into computer keyboard and select the size and style of type, column width, and appropriate spacing for printed materials. O*NET Task ID 2818	1.0
Store copies of publications on paper, magnetic tape, film, or diskette. O*NET Task ID 2819	1.0
Study layout or other design instructions to determine work to be done and sequence of operations. O*NET Task ID 2825	1.0
Convert various types of files for printing or for the Internet, using computer software. O*NET Task ID 2827	1.0
Transmit, deliver, or mail publication master to printer for production into film and plates. O*NET Task ID 2830	1.0
Operate desktop publishing software and equipment to design, lay out, and produce camera-ready copy. O*NET Task ID 2816	0.5
View monitors for visual representation of work in progress and for instructions and feedback throughout process, making modifications as necessary. O*NET Task ID 2817	0.5
Position text and art elements from a variety of databases in a visually appealing way to design print or web pages, using knowledge of type styles and size and layout patterns. O*NET Task ID 2820	0.5
Enter digitized data into electronic prepress system computer memory, using scanner, camera, keyboard, or mouse. O*NET Task ID 2821	0.5
Edit graphics and photos, using pixel or bitmap editing, airbrushing, masking, or image retouching. O*NET Task ID 2822	0.5
Import text and art elements, such as electronic clip art or electronic files from photographs that have been scanned or produced with a digital camera, using computer software. O*NET Task ID 2823	0.5
Prepare sample layouts for approval, using computer software. O*NET Task ID 2824	0.5
Enter data, such as coordinates of images and color specifications, into system to retouch and make color corrections. O*NET Task ID 2828	0.5
Select number of colors and determine color separations. O*NET Task ID 2829	0.5
Collaborate with graphic artists, editors and writers to produce master copies according to design specifications. O*NET Task ID 2831	0.5
Create special effects such as vignettes, mosaics, and image combining, and add elements such as sound and animation to electronic publications. O*NET Task ID 2832	0.5
Show 7 more tasks ▾Show less ▴

β = E1 + 0.5 × E2 · E1 = tasks where direct LLM access alone cuts time by at least 50%, E2 = tasks where software built on top of an LLM cuts time by at least 50%. Values take only 0 / 0.5 / 1.0.

Data sources & licenses — O*NET®, Eloundou et al. (2023): see full notices on the Credits page

All O*NET 31.0 task statements (18)

All O*NET 31.0 task statements for this occupation (English, as published; task type core or supplemental). Exposure values are not listed here; they are in the table above, next to each task statement as worded in the O*NET version each source used.

Task (O*NET 31.0)	Type
Check preliminary and final proofs for errors and make necessary corrections.	Core
Operate desktop publishing software and equipment to design, lay out, and produce camera-ready copy.	Core
View monitors for visual representation of work in progress and for instructions and feedback throughout process, making modifications as necessary.	Core
Enter text into computer keyboard and select the size and style of type, column width, and appropriate spacing for printed materials.	Core
Position text and art elements from a variety of databases in a visually appealing way to design print or web pages, using knowledge of type styles and size and layout patterns.	Core
Enter digitized data into electronic prepress system computer memory, using scanner, camera, keyboard, or mouse.	Core
Edit graphics and photos, using pixel or bitmap editing, airbrushing, masking, or image retouching.	Core
Import text and art elements, such as electronic clip art or electronic files from photographs that have been scanned or produced with a digital camera, using computer software.	Core
Prepare sample layouts for approval, using computer software.	Core
Study layout or other design instructions to determine work to be done and sequence of operations.	Core
Convert various types of files for printing or for the Internet, using computer software.	Core
Enter data, such as coordinates of images and color specifications, into system to retouch and make color corrections.	Core
Select number of colors and determine color separations.	Core
Store copies of publications on paper, magnetic tape, film, or diskette.	Supplemental
Load floppy disks or tapes containing information into system.	Supplemental
Transmit, deliver, or mail publication master to printer for production into film and plates.	Supplemental
Collaborate with graphic artists, editors and writers to produce master copies according to design specifications.	Supplemental
Create special effects such as vignettes, mosaics, and image combining, and add elements such as sound and animation to electronic publications.	Supplemental

Anthropic, "What work can robots do?"2026-09

0.00/ 3· Robot exposure index

0 none3 unstructured settings

Scale, basis and source

Each physical task is graded 0–3 by the setting in which robots that have been deployed, sold or demonstrated could do it (0 none · 1 purpose-built robot settings such as a fenced machine cell or a bottling line · 2 structured facilities such as a hospital pharmacy or a container port · 3 unstructured settings such as a private home or a construction site), and the grades are averaged by share of working time

Physical tasks among this occupation's O*NET 29.3 tasks

Anthropic estimated the grades and time shares with Claude Opus 5 using web search, as of 2026.

Source dataset

The robot exposure index is a different measure from the AI exposure figures on this site and cannot be added to or compared with them. It does not measure actual adoption or cost, and 0 also covers occupations with no physical tasks.

Tier of each physical task

Robot environment tiers (E0–E3)

E0 noneDetails
Rated not doable by robots that have been deployed, sold or demonstrated, even in a purpose-built setting
E1 purpose-built robot settingsDetails
Rated doable in a setting built around the machine, such as a fenced machine cell or a bottling line
E2 structured facilitiesDetails
Rated doable in a human work facility that an institution keeps to a working standard, such as a hospital pharmacy or a container port
E3 unstructured settingsDetails
Rated doable in a setting that no institution keeps to a working standard, such as a private home or a construction site

Only tasks classified as physical are listed; other tasks have no tier in the source.

Task (O*NET 29.3)	Robot environment tier
Load floppy disks or tapes containing information into system.	E1 purpose-built robot settings

Employment outlook (BLS)

Employment, 2025: 5K
Projected employment, 2035: 4K
Change (2025–35): -14.5%
Median annual wage, 2025: $55,290
Typical education needed for entry: Associate's degree

lowest $30,890median wage across 825 detailed occupations, BLS EP 2025–35highest $559,030

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections 2025–35 — Employment by detailed occupation, 2025 and projected 2035

Korea classification links (KSCO)

Links from the current release of the Korea Occupation Direct Crosswalk v1.1, made by AI Changing Work. Relation values are read from the O*NET-SOC occupation side.

KSCO code	KSCO title	Relation	Status
37291	출판 및 자료 편집 사무원	Same scope	confirmed

Relation and status definitions(kr-direct v1.1)

ILO occupational description

AI Changing Work links the ISCO-08 unit groups below to this occupation by applying the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics crosswalks (2018 SOC to 2010 SOC, 2010 SOC to ISCO-08) as published, without case-by-case selection; each link may be whole or partial.

ISCO-08 7321Pre-press Technicians

The definition, tasks and examples below are the ILO's description of that unit group, not of this occupation.

Pre-press technicians proof, format, set and compose text and graphics into a form suitable for use in various printing processes and representation in other visual media.

Tasks

(a) operating graphic cameras and other photographic equipment to reproduce camera-ready copy onto films, plates and digital output devices;
(b) using computer applications to generate images, text, layouts and impositions for print and other visual media displays;
(c) operating plate making equipment to reproduce images from film to printing plates, digital output devices and presses;
(d) operating computer screen-based equipment for scanning, colour separation, colour correction, masking, creative design, combining, imposing, retouching, and other processes used to transfer copy to film and produce film for plate, digital output and cylinder productions;
(e) carrying out digital and chemical proofing from digital systems, and negative and positive films;
(f) evaluating printed proofs, checking and correcting them for quality;
(g) preparing and exposing carbon tissue for laying on cylinders by transfer method, and developing images.

Example occupations

Compositor · Desktop publishing operator · Electronic pre-press technician · Photogravurist · Photolithographer · Plate maker (printing) · Plate mounter (screen printing) · Screen maker · Typesetter

Sources: ILO ISCO-08 — details: Credits

ESCO occupational vocabulary

Each entry below is matched to this occupation in the published ESCO-O*NET Crosswalk (version 1, 2022). The match types are that crosswalk's; the wording is AI Changing Work's.

desktop publisherESCO 2166.5Same scope
Desktop publishers are responsible for the layout of publications. They use computer software to arrange texts, photographs and other materials in a pleasing and readable finished product.
typesetterESCO 7321.1.6This occupation is broader
Typesetters ensure that printed text is correctly set and visually pleasing. While typesetting was originally done manually and later employed techniques like linotype and phototypesetting, almost all typesetting is now done digitally using design programs or specialised typesetting programs.
graphic designerESCO 2166.10Overlapping, not the same
Graphic designers create text and images to communicate ideas. They make visual concepts by hand or using computer software, intended for publishing in paper or online media such as advertisements, websites, and magazines.

Source: European Commission, DG EMPL — ESCO API 2026-08-08 (bridge v1.2.1)

License: CC BY 4.0 (EU Reuse Notice)

View original

ESCO reuse terms and the modification notice are in Credits.

France classification links (ROME)

AI Changing Work's links between this occupation and ROME 4.0 job profiles, judged with AI models. Relations are read from this occupation's side. Links marked “provisional” were adopted on the judgments of two judges from the same model family (Claude) alone, or by an operator rule applied to their judgments, so they rest on weaker evidence than confirmed links.

ROME code	ROME title (French)	Relation
E1306	Opérateur / Opératrice de prépresse	This occupation is narrowerprovisional
E1130	Chargé / Chargée d'édition musicale graphique	Related, not a matchprovisional
E1205	Designer graphique	Related, not a matchprovisional

Source: France Travail — Répertoire Opérationnel des Métiers et des Emplois (ROME 4.0), version 61, last updated 15 June 2026 (https://www.data.gouv.fr/datasets/repertoire-operationnel-des-metiers-et-des-emplois-rome). Licence Ouverte 2.0.

ROME codes and titles are reproduced unchanged; the links to O*NET-SOC occupations are AI Changing Work's own judgment and are not a France Travail correspondence.

(AI Changing Work link release: fr-direct v1)

Spain classification links (CNO-11)

AI Changing Work's links between this occupation and CNO-11 occupations, judged with AI models. Relations are read from this occupation's side.

CNO-11 code	CNO-11 title (Spanish)	Relation
7621	Trabajadores de procesos de preimpresión	This occupation is narrowerprovisional
2484	Diseñadores gráficos y multimedia	Related, not a matchprovisional

Source: Instituto Nacional de Estadística (INE), National Classification of Occupations 2011 (CNO-11, Royal Decree 1591/2010) — www.ine.es · Licensed CC BY 4.0. CNO-11 codes and Spanish titles are reproduced unchanged; the links to O*NET occupations are AI Changing Work's own judgment and are not an INE correspondence.

(AI Changing Work link release: es-direct v1)

Germany classification links (KldB)

AI Changing Work's links between this occupation and KldB occupations, judged with AI models. Relations are read from this occupation's side.

KldB code	KldB title (German)	Relation
23212	Berufe in der Digital- und Printmediengestaltung - fachlich ausgerichtete Tätigkeiten	This occupation is narrowerprovisional
23213	Berufe in der Digital- und Printmediengestaltung - komplexe Spezialistentätigkeiten	Overlapping, not the same

Source: © Statistik der Bundesagentur für Arbeit — Klassifikation der Berufe 2010 – überarbeitete Fassung 2020, https://statistik.arbeitsagentur.de. KldB codes and titles are reproduced unchanged; the links to O*NET occupations are AI Changing Work's own mapping (eigene Zuordnung) and are not a Bundesagentur für Arbeit correspondence.

(AI Changing Work link release: de-direct v1)

Japan classification links (JSCO)

AI Changing Work's links between this occupation and JSCO occupations, judged with AI models. Relations are read from this occupation's side.

JSCO code	JSCO title (Japanese)	Relation
537	印刷・製本従事者	This occupation is narrower

Source: Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC), Japan Standard Occupational Classification (Dec. 2009, MIC Notification No. 555). JSCO codes and Japanese titles are reproduced unchanged; the links to O*NET occupations are AI Changing Work's own judgment and are not a MIC correspondence.

(AI Changing Work link release: jp-direct v1)

Sources, licenses and AI Changing Work's modification and translation notices for this page: Credits & sources