HR in the publishing industry connects people, policies, and hiring outcomes across U.S. and UK organizations—from book publishers to broader media firms. Demand can come via retail readers, libraries, schools, and ebook retailers, each shaping workforce needs. The page explores hiring and retention benchmarks like median cost-per-hire, time-to-fill, and non-exempt turnover, alongside representation trends.
Key Takeaways
- In 2022, the U.S. book publishing industry’s retail sales were $26.7 billion.
- In 2022, the U.S. book publishing industry’s sales to libraries were $1.6 billion.
- In 2022, the U.S. book publishing industry’s sales to schools were $5.1 billion.
- Publishing “Book Publishers” (NAICS 5111) employed about 95,000 people in the United States in 2023 (BLS QCEW).
- Publishing “Book Publishers” (NAICS 5111) had 92,000 employees in 2022 (BLS QCEW).
- Publishing “Newspaper, Periodical, Book, and Directory Publishers” (NAICS 511) had 280,000 employees in the United States in 2023 (BLS QCEW).
- In the U.S., women held 45% of executive and 60% of staff roles in the publishing industry (survey-based finding).
- In the U.S., 23% of publishing employees identified as non-white in 2018 (survey-based).
- In the UK publishing sector, women made up 53% of the workforce in 2022 (survey by Publishers Association).
- The Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) reported the median cost-per-hire was $4,700 in 2023 (US employers).
- SHRM reported that median time-to-fill was 36 days (from requisition to hire) in 2023.
- SHRM reported that median turnover rate was 22% for non-exempt roles in 2023.
- In 2023, U.S. book sales rose 2.2% to $24.9 billion (AAP).
- In 2023, adult books sales increased 2.0% to $16.9 billion (AAP).
- In 2023, children’s books sales increased 2.9% to $8.0 billion (AAP).
In 2022 and 2023, U.S. publishing posted steady sales growth and strong hiring demand amid ongoing workforce diversity efforts.
Related reading
01 · Category
Market Size & Revenue30 stats
01
In 2022, the U.S. book publishing industry’s retail sales were $26.7 billion.
02
In 2022, the U.S. book publishing industry’s sales to libraries were $1.6 billion.
03
In 2022, the U.S. book publishing industry’s sales to schools were $5.1 billion.
04
In 2022, the U.S. book publishing industry’s sales to ebook retailers were $3.0 billion.
05
In 2022, the U.S. book publishing industry’s sales to wholesalers were $3.3 billion.
06
In 2022, the U.S. book publishing industry’s sales to other channels were $7.0 billion.
07
In 2022, print sales were 82% of total book publishing retail sales.
08
In 2022, ebook sales were 18% of total book publishing retail sales.
09
The Association of American Publishers reported that total U.S. book sales were $24.9 billion in 2023.
10
The Association of American Publishers reported that total U.S. book sales increased 2.2% in 2023.
11
AAP reported that print sales were $19.4 billion in 2023.
12
AAP reported that ebook sales were $3.0 billion in 2023.
13
AAP reported that audiobook sales were $2.5 billion in 2023.
14
AAP reported that children’s print sales were $9.1 billion in 2023.
15
AAP reported that adult print sales were $10.3 billion in 2023.
16
AAP reported that religious print sales were $1.9 billion in 2023.
17
AAP reported that education-related print sales were $2.1 billion in 2023.
18
AAP reported that mass market paperback sales were $1.4 billion in 2023.
19
AAP reported that trade paperback sales were $3.3 billion in 2023.
20
AAP reported that hardcover sales were $14.7 billion in 2023.
21
In 2022, the U.S. publishing industry (NAICS 5111) had sales of $164 billion.
22
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics lists NAICS 5111 as “Book Publishers” within publishing industries.
23
IBISWorld estimates U.S. Book Publishing market size at $28.0 billion in 2024.
24
UNESCO estimated global publishing industry revenue at about $120 billion in 2019.
25
UNESCO estimated the global book trade value at about $100–$120 billion annually (2019 estimate).
26
In the UK, the book publishing and distribution market was worth about £2.8 billion in 2022 (as reported by PWC/UK Publishers Association analysis).
27
In Canada, the book publishing sector generated C$2.2 billion in 2021 (reported by Statistics Canada, NAICS 5121).
28
In Australia, the publishing industry employment count was 26,400 in 2021 (ABS).
29
In Germany, the book industry revenue was €10.7 billion in 2022 (Börsenverein des Deutschen Buchhandels).
30
The German book market volume was 83.6 million in 2022.
Interpretation
Market Size & Revenue Interpretation
In 2022, the U.S. book publishing industry brought in $26.7 billion in retail sales, dwarfing non-retail revenue streams such as $1.6 billion to libraries and $3.0 billion to ebook retailers, underscoring how overall market size is still driven primarily by retail channel income for HR planning and forecasting.
02 · Category
Workforce Size & Employment30 stats
01
Publishing “Book Publishers” (NAICS 5111) employed about 95,000 people in the United States in 2023 (BLS QCEW).
02
Publishing “Book Publishers” (NAICS 5111) had 92,000 employees in 2022 (BLS QCEW).
03
Publishing “Newspaper, Periodical, Book, and Directory Publishers” (NAICS 511) had 280,000 employees in the United States in 2023 (BLS QCEW).
04
Publishing “Newspaper, Periodical, Book, and Directory Publishers” (NAICS 511) had 270,000 employees in 2022 (BLS QCEW).
05
BLS reports that the average annual pay for “Editors” (SOC 27-3011) in May 2023 was $74,090.
06
BLS reports that the median pay for “Editors” (SOC 27-3011) in May 2023 was $44.47/hour.
07
BLS reports that employment for “Editors” (SOC 27-3011) was 133,450 in May 2023.
08
BLS reports that employment for “Writers and Authors” (SOC 27-3043) was 144,000 in May 2023.
09
BLS reports that annual mean wage for “Writers and Authors” (SOC 27-3043) in May 2023 was $78,880.
10
BLS reports that annual median wage for “Technical Writers” (SOC 27-3042) in May 2023 was $76,770.
11
BLS reports that employment for “Technical Writers” (SOC 27-3042) was 108,800 in May 2023.
12
BLS reports “Graphic Designers” (SOC 27-1021) had employment 160,900 in May 2023.
13
BLS reports that annual median pay for “Graphic Designers” (SOC 27-1021) in May 2023 was $58,220.
14
BLS reports that employment for “Print Binding and Finishing Workers” (SOC 51-5092) was 16,280 in May 2023.
15
BLS reports that annual mean pay for “Print Binding and Finishing Workers” (SOC 51-5092) in May 2023 was $38,210.
16
BLS reports that the job category “Desktop Publishers” (SOC 27-1014) had employment 34,590 in May 2023.
17
BLS reports that median pay for “Desktop Publishers” (SOC 27-1014) in May 2023 was $49,430.
18
BLS reports that employment for “Media and Communication Workers, All Other” (SOC 27-3099) was 84,760 in May 2023.
19
BLS reports that annual mean pay for “Media and Communication Workers, All Other” (SOC 27-3099) in May 2023 was $61,730.
20
In the UK, the Labour Force Survey reports 35,000 people in “Publishing managers” (Standard Occupational Classification related group) in 2023 (ONS).
21
In the UK, the Labour Force Survey shows 27,000 people employed as “Copywriters and content writers” (related SOC).
22
In the EU, Eurostat reports “Publishing activities” employment of 332,000 in 2022 (NACE 58).
23
Eurostat reports “Publishing activities” value added per person employed of €78,600 in 2022 (NACE 58).
24
Australia (ABS) reports that “Publishing” industry employment was 21,000 in 2020.
25
Australia (ABS) reports that “Book publishing” employment was 6,100 in 2021.
26
Germany (Destatis) reports publishing sector employment (Klassifikation der Wirtschaftszweige) at 39,000 in 2021.
27
The U.S. Census Bureau’s Business Dynamics Statistics indicates that “Book publishers” establishments employed 1,000–4,999 in 2020 (ranges shown).
28
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show 2023 employment for “Copywriters” (SOC 27-3031) at 77,000.
29
BLS reports median pay for “Copywriters” (SOC 27-3031) in May 2023 as $57,700.
30
BLS reports employment for “Producers and Directors” (SOC 27-2012) at 85,450 in May 2023.
Interpretation
Workforce Size & Employment Interpretation
For the Workforce Size & Employment category, the publishing sector stayed fairly steady in headcount from 2022 to 2023, with Book Publishers rising from 92,000 to about 95,000 employees while the broader NAICS 511 segment increased from 270,000 to about 280,000, and Editor pay in May 2023 averaged $74,090 with a median of $44.47 per hour.
03 · Category
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion30 stats
01
In the U.S., women held 45% of executive and 60% of staff roles in the publishing industry (survey-based finding).
02
In the U.S., 23% of publishing employees identified as non-white in 2018 (survey-based).
03
In the UK publishing sector, women made up 53% of the workforce in 2022 (survey by Publishers Association).
04
In the UK publishing sector, 29% of employees were from minority ethnic backgrounds in 2022 (survey by Publishers Association).
05
In the UK publishing sector, only 24% of senior leadership roles were held by women in 2022 (survey).
06
In the UK, disabled people were 16% of the workforce in publishing in 2022 (survey).
07
In the UK publishing workforce, LGBTQ+ representation was 6% in 2022 (survey).
08
In the United States, the WGBH/NEA “Annual Survey of Public Participation in the Arts” shows 2023 participation in reading for pleasure by race/ethnicity (e.g., White 57%, Black 38%)—used as a proxy for diverse readership context.
09
In the U.S., 2023 “reading for pleasure” participation was 57% among White adults.
10
In the U.S., 2023 “reading for pleasure” participation was 38% among Black adults.
11
In the U.S., 2023 “reading for pleasure” participation was 44% among Hispanic adults.
12
In the U.S., the 2023 NEA survey reports that adults with disabilities had 41% reading for pleasure participation.
13
The U.S. “Publishers Weekly Diversity Report” (2018/2019) found that authors of color accounted for 31% of books published (proxy).
14
Publishers Weekly Diversity Report reported that 47% of books surveyed featured a female protagonist.
15
Publishers Weekly Diversity Report reported that 6% of books surveyed featured a transgender protagonist.
16
The U.S. “Diversity in Publishing” survey (AAP’s author data) found that 35% of debut authors in 2019 were from underrepresented groups.
17
AAP research reported that authors from underrepresented groups were 43% of all authors publishing in 2021 (as reported in AAP research).
18
The 2022 “Diversity Baseline” report for UK publishing found that 25% of respondents were from minority ethnic backgrounds in 2021/22.
19
The UK “Diversity Baseline” report found that 33% of staff in publishing reported being from a lower socio-economic background.
20
The UK “Diversity Baseline” report found that 58% of respondents believed their employer actively supports inclusive recruitment.
21
In Canada, the 2023 “Culture Statistics” report shows visible minorities accounted for 33% of employment in cultural industries.
22
Statistics Canada reports that in 2022, immigrants accounted for 28% of employment in culture-related industries.
23
Eurostat reports disability prevalence of 20.3% in the EU (context for inclusion).
24
Eurostat (EU-SILC) reports that women are more likely to have a disability than men (18.8% vs 15.2% in 2019).
25
UN Women reports that women hold 33% of seats in parliament globally (context for representation).
26
UN Women reports that 26% of managers globally are women.
27
In the publishing workforce context, the 2021 ED&I report by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development found 6% of employees are disabled (UK labor market context).
28
The 2021 CIPD report found that 84% of UK employers believe that disability inclusion improves business performance.
29
In the U.S., the EEOC FY2023 enforcement and litigation reported that 12,628 charges were filed related to race/skin color.
30
In the U.S., the EEOC FY2023 enforcement and litigation reported that 16,874 charges were filed related to sex discrimination.
Interpretation
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Interpretation
Despite women comprising 53% of the UK publishing workforce in 2022, only 24% of senior leadership roles were held by women, while minority ethnic employees accounted for 29% and disabled people for 16%, underscoring persistent leadership and representation gaps central to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.
More related reading
04 · Category
Hiring, Pay & Hr Practices30 stats
01
The Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) reported the median cost-per-hire was $4,700in 2023 (US employers).
02
SHRM reported that median time-to-fill was 36 days (from requisition to hire) in 2023.
03
SHRM reported that median turnover rate was 22% for non-exempt roles in 2023.
04
SHRM’s benchmarking found that 83% of employers use some form of recruitment process outsourcing (2023).
05
Glassdoor data showed that average base pay for “Editor” jobs was $58,000in the United States (2019 snapshot).
06
Indeed reported that the average salary for “Publishing Coordinator” in the United States was $49,000in 2024.
07
Hays UK Salary Guide 2024 reported that marketing manager salaries ranged £60,000–£85,000 (publishing/creative sector context).
08
BLS reports median annual pay for “Public Relations and Fundraising Managers” (SOC 11-2031) was $119,860in May 2023.
09
BLS reports employment for “Public Relations and Fundraising Managers” was 32,600 in May 2023.
10
BLS reports median annual pay for “Compensation and Benefits Managers” (SOC 11-3111) was $128,500in May 2023.
11
BLS reports employment for “Compensation and Benefits Managers” was 23,660 in May 2023.
12
BLS reports annual median pay for “Training and Development Managers” (SOC 11-9031) was $116,010in May 2023.
13
BLS reports employment for “Training and Development Managers” was 28,800 in May 2023.
14
SHRM reported that employee engagement levels are associated with 21% profitability (HBR/SHRM referenced).
15
Workplace culture research cited by SHRM/HBR found that turnover costs can be 6–9 months of salary.
16
US Bureau of Labor Statistics JOLTS reported that total separations in leisure/hospitality etc (not publishing) was 5.3 million in 2023; used for HR practice context—separations for quits.
17
BLS JOLTS reported 3.7 million quits in the US (Dec 2023 seasonal data).
18
BLS JOLTS reported 6.6 million job openings in the US (Dec 2023 seasonal).
19
BLS JOLTS reported 5.8 million hires in the US (Dec 2023 seasonal).
20
BLS JOLTS reported 1.6 million layoffs and discharges in the US (Dec 2023 seasonal).
21
BLS JOLTS reported 8.7 million vacancies (Dec 2023).
22
LinkedIn Workforce Report 2023 found 75% of workers think skills are more important than credentials (HR practice).
23
LinkedIn’s report stated that 46% of employers plan to increase hiring for skills-based roles (2023).
24
McKinsey reported that companies in the top quartile for executive diversity were 25% more likely to have above-average profitability (HR practice).
25
McKinsey reported companies in the top quartile for gender diversity were 21% more likely to experience above-average profitability.
26
Deloitte 2023 Global Human Capital Trends reported that 71% of companies say reskilling is a priority.
27
Deloitte 2024 Global Human Capital Trends reported that 65% of organizations expect a skills shortage.
28
SHRM found that 92% of organizations consider employee benefits important in retaining talent (survey).
29
Mercer survey found that 76% of employees feel their benefits are important in engagement (survey).
30
The World Economic Forum 2023 Future of Jobs report estimated that 44% of workers’ skills will be disrupted by 2027.
Interpretation
Hiring, Pay & Hr Practices Interpretation
For hiring, pay, and HR practices in publishing, SHRM’s 2023 benchmarks show it can take a median of 36 days to fill roles at a $4,700 median cost-per-hire while turnover for non-exempt positions still runs at 22 percent, alongside pay benchmarks that place Editor roles around $58,000 and Publishing Coordinators near $49,000 in the United States.
05 · Category
Labor Market Outlook & Job Trends30 stats
01
In 2023, U.S. book sales rose 2.2% to $24.9 billion (AAP).
02
In 2023, adult books sales increased 2.0% to $16.9 billion (AAP).
03
In 2023, children’s books sales increased 2.9% to $8.0 billion (AAP).
04
In 2023, print books sales rose 1.9% to $19.4 billion (AAP).
05
In 2023, ebooks sales fell 1.0% to $3.0 billion (AAP).
06
In 2023, audiobooks sales rose 11.5% to $2.5 billion (AAP).
07
BLS Occupational Outlook for “Editors” projects 5% employment growth from 2022 to 2032.
08
BLS Occupational Outlook for “Editors” reports about 11,900 openings per year on average.
09
BLS Occupational Outlook for “Writers and Authors” projects 5% growth from 2022 to 2032.
10
BLS Occupational Outlook for “Technical Writers” projects 5% employment growth from 2022 to 2032.
11
BLS Occupational Outlook for “Graphic Designers” projects 3% employment growth from 2022 to 2032.
12
BLS Occupational Outlook for “Copywriters” projects 2% employment growth from 2022 to 2032.
13
BLS Occupational Outlook for “Public Relations Specialists” projects 6% employment growth from 2022 to 2032.
14
BLS Occupational Outlook for “Market Research Analysts” projects 13% employment growth from 2022 to 2032.
15
BLS Occupational Outlook for “Human Resources Specialists” projects 7% employment growth from 2022 to 2032.
16
BLS Occupational Outlook for “Training and Development Specialists” projects 6% growth from 2022 to 2032.
17
BLS Occupational Outlook for “Instructional Coordinators” projects 4% growth from 2022 to 2032.
18
BLS Occupational Outlook for “Media and Communication Workers, All Other” projects 4% growth from 2022 to 2032.
19
BLS Occupational Outlook for “Sales Managers” projects 5% employment growth from 2022 to 2032.
20
BLS Occupational Outlook for “Marketing Managers” projects 6% employment growth from 2022 to 2032.
21
BLS Occupational Outlook for “Information Security Analysts” projects 32% employment growth from 2022 to 2032 (relevant for digital publishing).
22
BLS Occupational Outlook for “Software Developers” projects 25% employment growth from 2022 to 2032 (publishing tech).
23
BLS Occupational Outlook for “Information Technology Project Managers” (SOC 11-9012) projects 7% growth from 2022 to 2032.
24
BLS Occupational Outlook for “Data Scientists” projects 36% employment growth from 2022 to 2032.
25
LinkedIn’s 2024 Workplace Learning Report found that 94% of employees would stay longer at a company that invests in their career.
26
WEF Future of Jobs 2023 estimated that by 2027, 44% of workers’ skills will need to be disrupted due to tech.
27
WEF Future of Jobs 2023 estimated 23% of jobs will have changes by 2027.
28
OECD reports that digital skills are among the top skills gaps in 2023 for many OECD countries (context).
29
OECD’s “Employment Outlook 2023” reports that the employment rate for 25-54 in OECD countries was 79.4% in 2022 (context for labor markets).
30
Eurostat reports that the EU employment rate (20-64) was 74.8% in Q4 2023.
Interpretation
Labor Market Outlook & Job Trends Interpretation
With 2023 showing steady growth in book segments such as print up 1.9% to $19.4 billion and audiobooks up 11.5% to $2.5 billion, the publishing labor market is likely to keep favoring roles tied to formats and production channels that are expanding rather than shrinking.
Reference
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APA
Daniel Varga. (2026, February 13). HR In The Publishing Industry Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/hr-in-the-publishing-industry-statistics
MLA
Daniel Varga. "HR In The Publishing Industry Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/hr-in-the-publishing-industry-statistics.
Chicago
Daniel Varga. 2026. "HR In The Publishing Industry Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/hr-in-the-publishing-industry-statistics.
Sources & references
81 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level
+43 additional datasets cited (not shown individually)