Graphic designers are responsible for planning, analyzing, and creating electronic and print media in order to convey a desired message. They use type, color, animation, photography, illustrations, and different layout and print techniques available from computer software packages. In addition to developing the layout and design of newspapers, magazines, journals, and corporate reports, they create product packaging, marketing brochures, promotional displays, and signage. Many are now being asked to develop material for multimedia and interactive projects as well as Web pages.
Graphic Designer Salary Statistics
As of May 2010, graphic designers earned a mean annual wage of $48,140, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Those representing the lowest ten percent of earners made $26,200 annually, while the middle 50 percent earned $43,500 per year and the top ten percent had an annual salary of $76,910. The specialized design services industry had the highest level of employment, employing 25,360 graphic designers. Other industries that employed a large number of graphic designers were public relations and advertising, printing, computer systems design, and newspaper, book, directory, and periodical publishing.
The federal executive branch was the top paying industry in May 2010. Other industries in the top five payers included amusement parks and arcades, computer and peripheral equipment manufacturers, natural gas distributors, and central banks.
Graphic Designer Salaries by State
Click on the image below and learn the average salary by state...
The District of Columbia offered the highest pay, with a mean annual wage of $66,020. New York, California, and Connecticut each had a mean annual wage of over $57,000 for this occupation. Maryland came in fifth highest with a $52,920 annual mean wage. The lowest paying states included Oklahoma, Idaho, Wyoming, and North and South Dakota, each offering a mean annual wage of between $25,690 and $36,770.
Graphic Designer Job Outlook
2008 - 2018 Projecte Employment Changes
36,900 new graphic design jobs
13% increase in employment
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that graphic designer employment growth will be on pace with the average for all careers between 2008 and 2018, at a rate of 13 percent. There will be keen competition for positions and graphic designers with animation and Web site design experience will find the most opportunities. Internet advertising growth is anticipated to lead to an increase in graphic design careers. As of May 2010, California, New York, Florida, Texas, and Illinois had the highest employment levels for graphic designers.
Graphic Designer Education & Training
A bachelor’s degree in the field of graphic design or fine arts is the most common requirement for employment. Of the graphic designers responding to an O*Net occupational survey, 81 percent held a bachelor’s degree, 11 percent had an associate’s degree, and four percent had taken some college courses but did not have a degree. Private design schools, colleges, and universities throughout the country offer relevant bachelor degree programs. Students learn principles of design, printing techniques, studio art, Web site design, computerized design, and commercial graphics productions.
Certificates and associate’s degrees are offered by two and three-year professional schools, qualifying graduates for assistant positions. Approximately 300 postsecondary educational institutions are accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and most of them offer a graphic design degree program. At least one year of basic art and design education is required to gain acceptance to many schools. There are no certification requirements for this occupation.
Related Occupations
Other occupations that fall within the fields of art and design include commercial and industrial designers and interior designers. Commercial and industrial designers use engineering, business, and art to design consumer products. Interior designers enhance the aesthetics, safety, and functionality of interior spaces.
Computer-aided design careers include desktop publishers who combine and format text, photographs, charts, data, and other graphical art into printed prototypes using computer software. Drafters prepare technical plans and drawings used by construction and production workers to create everything from computer components to buildings. Prepress technicians format jobs to be printed and correct errors in layout.
