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The differences between associate graphic designers and freelance 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 a freelance designer. Additionally, a freelance designer has an average salary of $57,260, 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 a freelance designer are sketch, CSS, and HTML.
| Associate Graphic Designer | Freelance Designer | |
| Yearly salary | $52,393 | $57,260 |
| Hourly rate | $25.19 | $27.53 |
| Growth rate | 3% | 3% |
| Number of jobs | 45,173 | 45,914 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 72% | Bachelor's Degree, 73% |
| 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.
Freelance designers are creative, independent contractors who create visual and graphic designs for their clients. They develop text and illustrated versions of brands, messages, and communications with strong visible influence with their clients. Typical activities include networking, seeking projects, and negotiating prices to their customers. They manage client proposals, develop concepts, present solutions, and ensure the timely completion of projects. Freelance visual and graphic designers are creative, self-motivated as well as result and deadline oriented.
Associate graphic designers and freelance designers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Associate Graphic Designer | Freelance Designer | |
| Average salary | $52,393 | $57,260 |
| Salary range | Between $37,000 And $73,000 | Between $39,000 And $83,000 |
| Highest paying City | Washington, DC | - |
| Highest paying state | Washington | - |
| Best paying company | Yahoo | - |
| Best paying industry | Technology | - |
There are a few differences between an associate graphic designer and a freelance designer in terms of educational background:
| Associate Graphic Designer | Freelance Designer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 72% | Bachelor's Degree, 73% |
| 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 freelance designers' demographics:
| Associate Graphic Designer | Freelance Designer | |
| Average age | 38 | 38 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 46.5% Female, 53.5% | Male, 48.0% Female, 52.0% |
| 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% |