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Computer Typography

What Computer Typography Majors Need to Know

Programs in Computer Typography build a specific mix of knowledge, skills, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in occupations that Computer Typography graduates commonly enter.

Knowledge Areas

According to O*NET, a major in Computer Typography emphasizes the following knowledge areas:

• Computers and Electronics — Importance 4.0 / 5; level 4.8 / 7.
• English Language — Importance 3.5 / 5; level 3.8 / 7.
• Communications and Media — Importance 3.2 / 5; level 3.9 / 7.
• Production and Processing — Importance 3.0 / 5; level 3.1 / 7.
• Design — Importance 2.9 / 5; level 3.1 / 7.

^{Importance is rated 1–5; level is 1–7. Source: ONET Online — weighted across related occupations.*}

Skills

Skills emphasized by a Computer Typography program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:

• Critical Thinking — Importance 3.5 / 5; level 3.5 / 7.
• Reading Comprehension — Importance 3.5 / 5; level 3.6 / 7.
• Judgment and Decision Making — Importance 3.4 / 5; level 3.0 / 7.
• Active Listening — Importance 3.4 / 5; level 3.5 / 7.
• Speaking — Importance 3.4 / 5; level 3.4 / 7.

Abilities

The cognitive and physical abilities most relevant to Computer Typography careers — again drawn from O*NET surveys of related occupations:

• Near Vision — Importance 4.0 / 5; level 4.1 / 7.
• Information Ordering — Importance 3.7 / 5; level 3.5 / 7.
• Visualization — Importance 3.6 / 5; level 3.7 / 7.
• Written Comprehension — Importance 3.5 / 5; level 3.6 / 7.
• Problem Sensitivity — Importance 3.5 / 5; level 3.2 / 7.

Common Job Activities

Day-to-day, Computer Typography graduates report doing:

Activity	Frequency / Importance
Working with Computers	4.5 / 7
Getting Information	4.3 / 7
Thinking Creatively	4.1 / 7
Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge	4.0 / 7
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates	4.0 / 7
Making Decisions and Solving Problems	3.9 / 7
Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work	3.9 / 7
Processing Information	3.5 / 7
Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events	3.5 / 7
Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others	3.5 / 7

Technology Skills Used on the Job

Most frequently-cited tools used by Computer Typography professionals:

Tool / Software	Category	In-Demand
Adobe FreeHand MX	Graphics or photo imaging software	—
Microsoft Outlook	Electronic mail software	—
QuarkXPress	Desktop publishing software	—
Adobe Acrobat	Document management software	—
Adobe FrameMaker	Desktop publishing software	—
Adobe Creative Cloud software	Graphics or photo imaging software	✓
Adobe PageMaker	Desktop publishing software	—
Adobe InDesign	Desktop publishing software	✓
Microsoft Office software	Office suite software	✓
Corel CorelDraw Graphics Suite	Graphics or photo imaging software	—
Adobe Illustrator	Graphics or photo imaging software	✓
Microsoft PowerPoint	Presentation software	—

^{Source: ONET Online technology skills, weighted across related occupations.*}

Sample Job Titles

Real job postings for Computer Typography graduates include:

• Desktop Operator
• Computer Typesetter
• Compositor
• Electronic Publisher
• DTP Operator (Desktop Publishing Operator)
• Advertising Associate
• Digital Publisher
• Computer Compositor
• Electronic Imager
• Document Design Specialist
• Magazine Publisher
• Desktop Publishing Specialist
• Digital Publishing Specialist
• Desktop Support Engineer
• Electronic Publishing Specialist

Education Typically Required

Across the occupations open to Computer Typography graduates, the typical level of education actually held by current workers is distributed as:

Education Level	Share of Workers
High school diploma or equivalent	42.4%
Bachelor’s degree	25.7%
Associate’s degree (or other 2-year)	15.8%
Some college courses	8.6%
Postsecondary certificate	6.7%
Less than a high school diploma	0.8%

^{Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*}

How Much Do Computer Typography Graduates Earn?

College Scorecard reports median earnings of Computer Typography graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. These numbers tend to grow steadily as graduates gain experience and move into mid-career roles.

Years Out	Median Earnings
1 year	$28,061
4 years	$41,119
5 years	$47,590

By year 5 out, median earnings rise to $47,590 — roughly 70% above the 1-year mark.

^{Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.}

Is a Degree in Computer Typography Worth It?

Strictly by the federal earnings tracker, Computer Typography graduates earn a median of $41,119 four years after completion — roughly 8% above the national median for workers with only a high school diploma (~$38,000).

^{ROI estimate compares the program’s 4-yr median earnings against the 2023 BLS CPS median earnings for high-school-only workers. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard + BLS Current Population Survey.}

Related Programs

You may also be interested in these closely related fields of study:

Program	CIP Code
Graphic Communications	10.03
Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics, and Special Effects	10.0304
Graphic and Printing Equipment Operator, General Production	10.0305
Graphic Communications, General	10.0301
Graphic Communications, Other	10.0399
Platemaker/Imager	10.0306
Prepress/Desktop Publishing and Digital Imaging Design	10.0303
Printing Management	10.0302
Printing Press Operator	10.0307

References

The racial-ethnic minorities count is calculated by taking the total number of students and subtracting white students and international students. This number is then divided by the total number of students to obtain the racial-ethnic minorities percentage.

• College Factual
• National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS)
• O*NET Online
• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
• U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard

More about our data sources and methodologies.