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Computer graphic artist vs freelance designer

The differences between computer graphic artists 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 a computer graphic artist and a freelance designer. Additionally, a computer graphic artist has an average salary of $66,828, which is higher than the $57,260 average annual salary of a freelance designer.

The top three skills for a computer graphic artist include adobe photoshop, adobe illustrator and concept art. The most important skills for a freelance designer are sketch, CSS, and HTML.

Computer graphic artist vs freelance designer overview

Computer Graphic ArtistFreelance Designer
Yearly salary$66,828$57,260
Hourly rate$32.13$27.53
Growth rate3%3%
Number of jobs20,63145,914
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 61%Bachelor's Degree, 73%
Average age3838
Years of experience1212

Computer graphic artist vs freelance designer salary

Computer graphic artists and freelance designers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Computer Graphic ArtistFreelance Designer
Average salary$66,828$57,260
Salary rangeBetween $37,000 And $118,000Between $39,000 And $83,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CA-
Highest paying stateWashington-
Best paying companyThe Walt Disney Company-
Best paying industry--

Differences between computer graphic artist and freelance designer education

There are a few differences between a computer graphic artist and a freelance designer in terms of educational background:

Computer Graphic ArtistFreelance Designer
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 61%Bachelor's Degree, 73%
Most common majorGraphic DesignGraphic Design
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Pennsylvania

Computer graphic artist vs freelance designer demographics

Here are the differences between computer graphic artists' and freelance designers' demographics:

Computer Graphic ArtistFreelance Designer
Average age3838
Gender ratioMale, 61.5% Female, 38.5%Male, 48.0% Female, 52.0%
Race ratioBlack 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 Percentage13%13%

Differences between computer graphic artist and freelance designer duties and responsibilities

Computer graphic artist example responsibilities.

  • Manage online product catalog using Dreamweaver.
  • Design logos, poster/t-shirt artwork, brochures, letterheads and business cards, charts and illustration and signage.
  • g code for CNC router cutting.
  • Maintain and troubleshoot computers and network.
  • Develop the art per ISO federal and state requirements.
  • Meet customers to review the typesetting and design for each project.
  • Show more

Freelance designer example responsibilities.

  • Lead the transition from paste-up, typesetting, pasting up page layout to digital ad/page building and web printing.
  • Hand-Code HTML, CSS, JS and PHP for custom design solutions and form processing, validation, and animations.
  • Provide identity and stationery design, web design, HTML / CSS development and WordPress integration (content management system).
  • Image manipulation in platforms such as Photoshop and illustrator as per assign.
  • Develop high-qualityshop drawings for all casework to be build by in-house woodshop.
  • Design websites, landing pages, banner ads, pop-ups, and HTML emails.
  • Show more

Computer graphic artist vs freelance designer skills

Common computer graphic artist skills
  • Adobe Photoshop, 13%
  • Adobe Illustrator, 12%
  • Concept Art, 10%
  • Mac, 6%
  • Brochures, 5%
  • Maya, 4%
Common freelance designer skills
  • Sketch, 11%
  • CSS, 7%
  • HTML, 6%
  • Adobe Photoshop, 6%
  • Adobe Illustrator, 6%
  • Photography, 5%

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