Update: Also see the analysis of updated projections through 2016. Bottomline: Job growth slows and continued employment in the desktop publishing and graphic design fields may require more education, more training, and a broader skillset than in previous years.Not surprisingly, as in later projections through 2010, computer and data processing services was the fastest growing industry in the U.S. with a projected growth of 108% from 1996-2006. The computer industry accounted for over 54% of the projected new jobs in the 10 fastest-growing professions for this period.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook (OOH) 2006-07 edition doesn't significantly change the information found in this article but there are some differences. Read my synopsis of its coverage of the job outlook for desktop publishers and graphic designers through 2014.
In projections by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics for 2000-2010, eight of the ten fastest growing occupations are in the computer and technology fields. Desktop publishers are there at number 6 with a projected growth rate of 67% and 25,000 new jobs for Desktop Publishing specialists, making desktop publishing an attractive career field.
A less dramatic, but still important, 27% growth in graphic design employment is expected with a large portion of that increase in the self-employed sector. However, some related fields including word processing and prepress are among the occupations suffering the greatest job declines.
Prepress Jobs Decline, Desktop Publishing on the Rise
Predictions are that increased use of computers in typesetting and page layout will replace or force major changes in many prepress jobs. The OOH projects declining job opportunities for prepress workers, typesetters, paste-up workers, film strippers, and most other printing workers.
As those of us doing desktop publishing know, in practice the terms desktop publishing and graphic design are often used interchangeably. Data for both occupations is relevant.
Explore Education and Skills for Desktop Publishing and Employment vs. Self-Employment for Desktop Publishing as derived from U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Outlook 2000-2010.
10 fastest growing occupations 2000-2010*
- Computer software engineers, applications
- Computer support specialists
- Computer software engineers, systems software
- Network and computer systems administrators
- Network systems and data communications analysts
- Desktop publishers
- Database administrators
- Personal and home care aides
- Computer systems analysts
- Medical assistants
*Extract of Table 3, Fastest growing occupations, 2000-2010, in "Occupational employment projections to 2010," published in the November 2001 Monthly Labor Review.
Selected occupations with largest job decline 2000- 2010*
5. Word processors and typists
15. Secretaries, except legal, medical, and executive
16. Prepress technicians and workers
*Extract of Table 5, Occupations with the largest job decline, 2000-2010, in "Occupational employment projections to 2010," published in the November 2001 Monthly Labor Review.
Primary Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook
