Takeover Tracker
40%medium risk
Desktop Publishers
vs

55 shared · 22 different

core competencies

37%medium risk
Graphic Designers

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricDesktop PublishersGraphic Designers
Risk Score39.7%37.1%
Risk TierMedium RiskMedium Risk
Risk Percentile80th73th
Tasks at Risk (>50%)10 / 1511 / 15
Median Salary$53,620$61,300
Employment4K214K

Skill Comparison

|

Sorted by largest difference

Fine Arts
Production and Processing
Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards
Thinking Creatively
Communications and Media
Selling or Influencing Others
Processing Information
Training and Teaching Others
Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others
Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates
Repairing and Maintaining Electronic Equipment
Sales and Marketing

Protective Factors

Higher values indicate stronger protection against AI displacement

Desktop Publishers

32%

total discount

Graphic Designers

30%

total discount

Task Risk Comparison

Tasks sorted by AI automation risk — higher means more automatable

Desktop Publishers

10 of 15 at risk
86%Check preliminary and final proofs for errors and make necessary corrections.
86%Enter data, such as coordinates of images and color specifications, into system to retouch and make color corrections.
78%Transmit, deliver or mail publication master to printer for production into film and plates.
74%Enter digitized data into electronic prepress system computer memory, using scanner, camera, keyboard, or mouse.
72%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.

Graphic Designers

11 of 15 at risk
86%Maintain archive of images, photos, or previous work products.
85%Key information into computer equipment to create layouts for client or supervisor.
84%Prepare digital files for printing.
61%Write or edit copy for clients.
57%Draw and print charts, graphs, illustrations, and other artwork, using computer.

Wage Comparison

Graphic Designers earns +$7,680(+14%) vs Desktop Publishers
Desktop PublishersGraphic Designers
10th
$34,650$37,600
25th
$42,680$47,200
Median
$53,620$61,300
75th
$71,990$79,000
90th
$92,880$103,030

Premium Head-to-Head Analysis

Displacement Timeline Comparison

Desktop Publishers2028–2035
Graphic Designers2028–2035
20242030203520402045

Graphic Designers has a longer runway before significant displacement, projected 0 years later than Desktop Publishers.

Risk-Adjusted Salary

Salary weighted by displacement risk: salary × (1 − risk%)

Desktop Publishers

$32,322

from $53,620

Graphic Designers

$38,545

from $61,300

After adjusting for AI risk, Graphic Designers offers $6,223 more in risk-adjusted pay.

Transition Feasibility

1%

Skill Overlap

Low overlap — significant retraining needed for transition

0

Unique to Desktop

0

Unique to Graphic

Combined Protection Strategy

Regardless of which path you choose, focus on these protective factors

Fine Manipulation
Decision Complexity
Regulatory Barriers
Creativity
Desktop PublishersGraphic Designers
Find transitions from Desktop PublishersFind transitions from Graphic Designers