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Artist assistant vs graphic artist

The differences between artist assistants and graphic artists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 1-2 years to become an artist assistant, becoming a graphic artist takes usually requires 6-12 months. Additionally, an artist assistant has an average salary of $71,274, which is higher than the $54,900 average annual salary of a graphic artist.

The top three skills for an artist assistant include adobe photoshop, video shoots and photography. The most important skills for a graphic artist are graphic design, adobe photoshop, and adobe illustrator.

Artist assistant vs graphic artist overview

Artist AssistantGraphic Artist
Yearly salary$71,274$54,900
Hourly rate$34.27$26.39
Growth rate5%3%
Number of jobs4,2058,752
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 71%Bachelor's Degree, 61%
Average age4038
Years of experience212

Artist assistant vs graphic artist salary

Artist assistants and graphic artists have different pay scales, as shown below.

Artist AssistantGraphic Artist
Average salary$71,274$54,900
Salary rangeBetween $43,000 And $115,000Between $35,000 And $84,000
Highest paying City-Bellevue, WA
Highest paying state-Washington
Best paying company-Parsons
Best paying industry-Non Profits

Differences between artist assistant and graphic artist education

There are a few differences between an artist assistant and a graphic artist in terms of educational background:

Artist AssistantGraphic Artist
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 71%Bachelor's Degree, 61%
Most common majorFine ArtsGraphic Design
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Pennsylvania

Artist assistant vs graphic artist demographics

Here are the differences between artist assistants' and graphic artists' demographics:

Artist AssistantGraphic Artist
Average age4038
Gender ratioMale, 35.7% Female, 64.3%Male, 54.6% Female, 45.4%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 4.4% Unknown, 5.6% Hispanic or Latino, 14.4% Asian, 7.8% White, 67.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%Black or African American, 3.4% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 10.6% Asian, 10.4% White, 70.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
LGBT Percentage11%13%

Differences between artist assistant and graphic artist duties and responsibilities

Artist assistant example responsibilities.

  • Demonstrate effective communication skills, well-execute and expedient application of makeup to achieve the look guests desires.
  • Re-Modele the website using HTML, AJAX, XHTML and CSS.
  • Design and implement after-school arts clubs for Pre-K to 2nd grade students.
  • Design, fabrication, and sales of products and art ranging from furniture to printmaking.
  • Paint and market fine art.-Produce original watercolor artwork-Coordinate with galleries-Work with publishers for reproduction contracts-Teach watercolor workshops-Wrote watercolor instruction book
  • Create original artwork using pen & ink, charcoal, and acrylic paints.
  • Show more

Graphic artist example responsibilities.

  • Manage external communications such as brochures and other sales collateral for direct mail from inception to circulation.
  • Develop, debug, and maintain client websites using HTML & CSS, WordPress, and basic use of JavaScript.
  • Flash & Dreamweaver software assisting in production of the company website.
  • Create custom graphic art for cars, windows, store fronts, business signs.
  • Design and implement the company's first Facebook app and engages in designing everything encompassing pixels and print.
  • Design, develop and maintain websites as projects present themselves with the use of HTML and WYSIWYG web development tools.
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Artist assistant vs graphic artist skills

Common artist assistant skills
  • Adobe Photoshop, 17%
  • Video Shoots, 13%
  • Photography, 9%
  • Sculpture, 8%
  • Graphic Design, 5%
  • Art Projects, 4%
Common graphic artist skills
  • Graphic Design, 12%
  • Adobe Photoshop, 10%
  • Adobe Illustrator, 9%
  • Art Direction, 7%
  • Photography, 5%
  • Brochures, 4%

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