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The differences between design coordinators and graphic design specialists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 6-12 months to become both a design coordinator and a graphic design specialist. Additionally, a graphic design specialist has an average salary of $55,925, which is higher than the $53,594 average annual salary of a design coordinator.
The top three skills for a design coordinator include revit, sketch and BIM. The most important skills for a graphic design specialist are graphic design, adobe creative suite, and visualization.
| Design Coordinator | Graphic Design Specialist | |
| Yearly salary | $53,594 | $55,925 |
| Hourly rate | $25.77 | $26.89 |
| Growth rate | 3% | 3% |
| Number of jobs | 57,107 | 49,055 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 63% | Bachelor's Degree, 68% |
| Average age | 38 | 38 |
| Years of experience | 12 | 12 |
A design coordinator is responsible for collating and analyzing designs for construction that meet business requirements and budget limitations. Design coordinators create expenses forecasting by identifying the resources and materials to be used and the estimated duration for project deliverables. They also coordinate with the clients to share progress updates and modify plans as needed according to specifications. A design coordinator negotiates contract offers with suppliers and third-party vendors, minimize excessive costings, and ensure high-quality outputs.
A graphic design specialist utilizes their artistic expertise in creating imagery and designs that convey a particular message. Their responsibilities revolve around liaising with clients to determine their needs and goals, developing concepts and subjecting it for client approval, and revising designs as necessary. In a company setting, a graphic design specialist may work with a team, coordinating with them while sticking to budgets and deadlines. Furthermore, as a team member, it is essential to report to managers or supervisors, all while adhering to the company's policies and regulations.
Design coordinators and graphic design specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Design Coordinator | Graphic Design Specialist | |
| Average salary | $53,594 | $55,925 |
| Salary range | Between $38,000 And $74,000 | Between $38,000 And $80,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | Alaska | Washington |
| Best paying company | Jacobs Engineering Group | Berkshire Hathaway |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Technology |
There are a few differences between a design coordinator and a graphic design specialist in terms of educational background:
| Design Coordinator | Graphic Design Specialist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 63% | Bachelor's Degree, 68% |
| Most common major | Graphic Design | Graphic Design |
| Most common college | University of Pennsylvania | University of Pennsylvania |
Here are the differences between design coordinators' and graphic design specialists' demographics:
| Design Coordinator | Graphic Design Specialist | |
| Average age | 38 | 38 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 44.7% Female, 55.3% | Male, 50.0% Female, 50.0% |
| 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% |