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Commercial artist vs graphics illustrator

The differences between commercial artists 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 commercial artist, becoming a graphics illustrator takes usually requires 6-12 months. Additionally, a graphics illustrator has an average salary of $64,943, which is higher than the $60,449 average annual salary of a commercial artist.

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

Commercial artist vs graphics illustrator overview

Commercial ArtistGraphics Illustrator
Yearly salary$60,449$64,943
Hourly rate$29.06$31.22
Growth rate6%3%
Number of jobs30,0662,854
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 59%Bachelor's Degree, 70%
Average age4038
Years of experience612

Commercial artist vs graphics illustrator salary

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

Commercial ArtistGraphics Illustrator
Average salary$60,449$64,943
Salary rangeBetween $36,000 And $100,000Between $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 commercial artist and graphics illustrator education

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

Commercial ArtistGraphics Illustrator
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 59%Bachelor's Degree, 70%
Most common majorGraphic DesignGraphic Design
Most common collegeDuke UniversityUniversity of Pennsylvania

Commercial artist vs graphics illustrator demographics

Here are the differences between commercial artists' and graphics illustrators' demographics:

Commercial ArtistGraphics Illustrator
Average age4038
Gender ratioMale, 58.4% Female, 41.6%Male, 52.9% Female, 47.1%
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 graphics illustrator 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.

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

Commercial artist vs graphics illustrator skills

Common commercial artist skills
  • Art Projects, 32%
  • Photography, 12%
  • Adobe Photoshop, 12%
  • Technical Illustrations, 8%
  • Customer Relations, 6%
  • Posters, 5%
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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