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The differences between design specialists and graphic design assistants can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become a design specialist, becoming a graphic design assistant takes usually requires 6-12 months. Additionally, a design specialist has an average salary of $56,917, which is higher than the $40,835 average annual salary of a graphic design assistant.
The top three skills for a design specialist include customer service, sketch and CAD. The most important skills for a graphic design assistant are graphic design, CAD, and sketch.
| Design Specialist | Graphic Design Assistant | |
| Yearly salary | $56,917 | $40,835 |
| Hourly rate | $27.36 | $19.63 |
| Growth rate | 1% | 3% |
| Number of jobs | 68,347 | 54,021 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 62% | Bachelor's Degree, 67% |
| Average age | 42 | 38 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 12 |
A design specialist is responsible for creating engaging visual images and digital content to improve customers' brand awareness about the organization's products and services. Design specialists may also work for media production, creating graphic animations for viewers depending on production requirements and media demands. A design specialist must have excellent knowledge of utilizing various software tools and programs, coordinating with the whole design team on adjusting plans, improving layouts according to budget limitations, and submitting deliverables within the set deadlines.
Graphic Design Assistants help graphic designers in creating art, fulfilling orders, and managing the studio. They may be budding graphic designers looking for industry experience or creative professionals interested in getting into the graphic designing industry. They should be familiar with the different tools and concepts involved in graphic design. Graphic Design Assistants help lead graphic designers to complete different activities. They may assist by lining, coloring, rendering, and adding finishing touches to the designs. They may also be in charge of packaging physical art and booking shipments to buyers. Graphic Design Assistants should be able to showcase their creative prowess. They are welcome to pitch in designs, critique art, and provide input.
Design specialists and graphic design assistants have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Design Specialist | Graphic Design Assistant | |
| Average salary | $56,917 | $40,835 |
| Salary range | Between $35,000 And $91,000 | Between $28,000 And $58,000 |
| Highest paying City | Menlo Park, CA | New York, NY |
| Highest paying state | New York | New York |
| Best paying company | BP America Inc | |
| Best paying industry | - | Finance |
There are a few differences between a design specialist and a graphic design assistant in terms of educational background:
| Design Specialist | Graphic Design Assistant | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 62% | Bachelor's Degree, 67% |
| Most common major | Graphic Design | Graphic Design |
| Most common college | Cornell University | University of Pennsylvania |
Here are the differences between design specialists' and graphic design assistants' demographics:
| Design Specialist | Graphic Design Assistant | |
| Average age | 42 | 38 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 55.1% Female, 44.9% | Male, 29.4% Female, 70.6% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 1.5% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 7.6% Asian, 4.6% White, 82.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% | 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 | 23% | 13% |