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The differences between associate graphic designers and assistant designers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 6-12 months to become both an associate graphic designer and an assistant designer. Additionally, an assistant designer has an average salary of $52,475, which is higher than the $52,393 average annual salary of an associate graphic designer.
The top three skills for an associate graphic designer include graphic design, adobe creative suite and powerpoint. The most important skills for an assistant designer are sketch, tech packs, and adobe illustrator.
| Associate Graphic Designer | Assistant Designer | |
| Yearly salary | $52,393 | $52,475 |
| Hourly rate | $25.19 | $25.23 |
| Growth rate | 3% | 3% |
| Number of jobs | 45,173 | 47,598 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 72% | Bachelor's Degree, 67% |
| Average age | 38 | 38 |
| Years of experience | 12 | 12 |
Associate graphic designers are entry-level graphic designers. They may be fresh graduates or new to the field. Associate graphic designers should be creative and innovative. They should be able to think outside the box and bring fresh ideas to the company. They must also be trainable and willing to learn. Associate graphic designers may be asked to assist senior graphic designers in fulfilling orders or tasks. They may assist in creating drafts, rendering finished products, and reviewing orders. Once they have proven their skills, they may be assigned to do bigger tasks, create and fulfill orders, or even lead projects.
Assistant designers act as administrative support to senior designers in creating innovative designs by negotiating with the vendors about the prices of decoration materials. They are keen and up-to-date to the latest fashion and trends by conducting surveys and research. They are exceptionally creative and innovative and have excellent IT skills as they use illustration, typography, and photography layouts in the design process. However, being an assistant designer, career development relies on his/her /her specialism, reputation, and experience depending on how its opportunities are influenced by the company he/she works for.
Associate graphic designers and assistant designers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Associate Graphic Designer | Assistant Designer | |
| Average salary | $52,393 | $52,475 |
| Salary range | Between $37,000 And $73,000 | Between $37,000 And $73,000 |
| Highest paying City | Washington, DC | Seattle, WA |
| Highest paying state | Washington | Washington |
| Best paying company | Yahoo | PVH |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Construction |
There are a few differences between an associate graphic designer and an assistant designer in terms of educational background:
| Associate Graphic Designer | Assistant Designer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 72% | Bachelor's Degree, 67% |
| Most common major | Graphic Design | Graphic Design |
| Most common college | University of Pennsylvania | University of Pennsylvania |
Here are the differences between associate graphic designers' and assistant designers' demographics:
| Associate Graphic Designer | Assistant Designer | |
| Average age | 38 | 38 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 46.5% Female, 53.5% | Male, 28.3% Female, 71.7% |
| Race ratio | 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% | 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 Percentage | 13% | 13% |