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Commercial artist vs graphic artist

The differences between commercial artists and graphic artists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 4-6 years to become a commercial artist, becoming a graphic artist takes usually requires 6-12 months. Additionally, a commercial artist has an average salary of $60,449, which is higher than the $54,900 average annual salary of a graphic artist.

The top three skills for a commercial artist include art projects, photography and adobe photoshop. The most important skills for a graphic artist are graphic design, adobe photoshop, and adobe illustrator.

Commercial artist vs graphic artist overview

Commercial ArtistGraphic Artist
Yearly salary$60,449$54,900
Hourly rate$29.06$26.39
Growth rate6%3%
Number of jobs30,0668,752
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 59%Bachelor's Degree, 61%
Average age4038
Years of experience612

Commercial artist vs graphic artist salary

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

Commercial ArtistGraphic Artist
Average salary$60,449$54,900
Salary rangeBetween $36,000 And $100,000Between $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 commercial artist and graphic artist education

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

Commercial ArtistGraphic Artist
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 59%Bachelor's Degree, 61%
Most common majorGraphic DesignGraphic Design
Most common collegeDuke UniversityUniversity of Pennsylvania

Commercial artist vs graphic artist demographics

Here are the differences between commercial artists' and graphic artists' demographics:

Commercial ArtistGraphic Artist
Average age4038
Gender ratioMale, 58.4% Female, 41.6%Male, 54.6% Female, 45.4%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 4.3% Unknown, 5.6% Hispanic or Latino, 14.1% Asian, 7.6% White, 67.8% 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 commercial artist and graphic artist duties and responsibilities

Commercial artist example responsibilities.

  • Manage external communications such as brochures and other sales collateral for direct mail from inception to circulation.
  • Utilize a variety of creative media including illustration, photography and digital design to convey ideas beautifully and intelligently.
  • Create online stores and sell artwork through Zazzle, Etsy, and Cafepress.

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.
  • Show more

Commercial artist vs graphic artist skills

Common commercial artist skills
  • Art Projects, 32%
  • Photography, 12%
  • Adobe Photoshop, 12%
  • Technical Illustrations, 8%
  • Customer Relations, 6%
  • Posters, 5%
Common graphic artist skills
  • Graphic Design, 12%
  • Adobe Photoshop, 10%
  • Adobe Illustrator, 9%
  • Art Direction, 7%
  • Photography, 5%
  • Brochures, 4%

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