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Cartoonist vs graphics illustrator

The differences between cartoonists and graphics illustrators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 4-6 years to become a cartoonist, becoming a graphics illustrator takes usually requires 6-12 months. Additionally, a cartoonist has an average salary of $73,859, which is higher than the $64,943 average annual salary of a graphics illustrator.

The top three skills for a cartoonist include adobe photoshop, student newspaper and comics. The most important skills for a graphics illustrator are adobe photoshop, graphic design, and adobe indesign.

Cartoonist vs graphics illustrator overview

CartoonistGraphics Illustrator
Yearly salary$73,859$64,943
Hourly rate$35.51$31.22
Growth rate6%3%
Number of jobs422,854
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 71%Bachelor's Degree, 70%
Average age4038
Years of experience612

Cartoonist vs graphics illustrator salary

Cartoonists and graphics illustrators have different pay scales, as shown below.

CartoonistGraphics Illustrator
Average salary$73,859$64,943
Salary rangeBetween $47,000 And $115,000Between $41,000 And $101,000
Highest paying City-San Francisco, CA
Highest paying state-California
Best paying company-Uber Technologies
Best paying industry-Technology

Differences between cartoonist and graphics illustrator education

There are a few differences between a cartoonist and a graphics illustrator in terms of educational background:

CartoonistGraphics Illustrator
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 71%Bachelor's Degree, 70%
Most common majorGraphic DesignGraphic Design
Most common collegeDuke UniversityUniversity of Pennsylvania

Cartoonist vs graphics illustrator demographics

Here are the differences between cartoonists' and graphics illustrators' demographics:

CartoonistGraphics Illustrator
Average age4038
Gender ratioMale, 70.1% Female, 29.9%Male, 52.9% Female, 47.1%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 4.3% Unknown, 6.0% Hispanic or Latino, 14.0% Asian, 7.6% White, 67.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%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 cartoonist and graphics illustrator duties and responsibilities

Cartoonist example responsibilities.

  • Used Applescript, Javascript, and Photoshop actions to automate tasks.
  • Publish a series of comics short stories about the local music scene in Columbus.
  • Design posters, signage, print advertisements.
  • Create monthly political comic strips in ASL and English.
  • Illustrate relevant political cartoons each week for UB's student-run newspaper
  • Create signs for print production for in-store product ads and POS.
  • Show more

Graphics illustrator example responsibilities.

  • Lead the development and execution of several overhead presentations, advertising design, brochure marketing, and desktop publishing initiatives.
  • Involve in developing HTML and JavaScript for client side presentation and, data validation on the clientside with in the forms.
  • Create computer graphics and animation.
  • Proofread catalogs, ads and packaging.
  • Design logos, flyers, mailers, programs, etc.
  • Develop online presence strategy (SEO, Instagram, Facebook).
  • Show more

Cartoonist vs graphics illustrator skills

Common cartoonist skills
  • Adobe Photoshop, 25%
  • Student Newspaper, 24%
  • Comics, 17%
  • Graphic Design, 7%
  • Comic Books, 7%
  • Logo, 6%
Common graphics illustrator skills
  • Adobe Photoshop, 14%
  • Graphic Design, 8%
  • Adobe Indesign, 8%
  • Sketch, 7%
  • Web Design, 7%
  • Adobe Illustrator, 5%

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