Desktop operator vs graphic designer

The differences between desktop operators and graphic 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 desktop operator and a graphic designer. Additionally, a desktop operator has an average salary of $51,191, which is higher than the $49,450 average annual salary of a graphic designer.

The top three skills for a desktop operator include adobe photoshop, mac and adobe indesign. The most important skills for a graphic designer are adobe creative suite, adobe photoshop, and adobe illustrator.

Desktop operator vs graphic designer overview

	Desktop Operator	Graphic Designer
Yearly salary	$51,191	$49,450
Hourly rate	$24.61	$23.77
Growth rate	-14%	3%
Number of jobs	28,886	45,625
Job satisfaction	-	5
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 50%	Bachelor's Degree, 68%
Average age	43	38
Years of experience	12	12

Desktop operator vs graphic designer salary

Desktop operators and graphic designers have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Desktop Operator	Graphic Designer
Average salary	$51,191	$49,450
Salary range	Between $36,000 And $71,000	Between $34,000 And $69,000
Highest paying City	-	Washington, DC
Highest paying state	-	Massachusetts
Best paying company	-	Meta
Best paying industry	-	Technology

Differences between desktop operator and graphic designer education

There are a few differences between a desktop operator and a graphic designer in terms of educational background:

	Desktop Operator	Graphic Designer
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 50%	Bachelor's Degree, 68%
Most common major	Graphic Design	Graphic Design
Most common college	University of Texas at Austin	University of Pennsylvania

Desktop operator vs graphic designer demographics

Here are the differences between desktop operators' and graphic designers' demographics:

	Desktop Operator	Graphic Designer
Average age	43	38
Gender ratio	Male, 61.2% Female, 38.8%	Male, 49.8% Female, 50.2%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 11.1% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 15.8% Asian, 7.4% White, 59.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%	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	7%	13%

Differences between desktop operator and graphic designer duties and responsibilities

Desktop operator example responsibilities.

Lead a cross discipline team to develop a new SERB database for Westlaw.
Create cover reprints using QuarkXpress.
Install, configure and support PC hardware and software.
Assemble pages in QuarkXpress 3.1 and impose in INposition 1.5.
Create new mass produce documents from inception to production through digital typesetting, proofing and testing.
Operate Macintosh computer for typesetting, color separations and scanning photographs, negatives, slides, color and black/white artwork.

Graphic designer example responsibilities.

Lead the transition from paste-up, typesetting, pasting up page layout to digital ad/page building and web printing.
Design new template for magazine as well as ads, flyers, brochures, and cards for a variety of events.
Plan the development of a social networking site website using HTML, CSS, PHP, and a WordPress management system.
Compose and create daily advertisements for national automotive dealerships utilizing typography and design concepts while adhering to corporate brand standards.
Follow style guide requirements to maintain brand integrity with specific treatments of photography, typography, graphic elements and team/sponsor/arena logos.
Create UI kit for the website.

Desktop operator vs graphic designer skills

Common desktop operator skills

Adobe Photoshop, 14%
Mac, 14%
Adobe Indesign, 9%
Quark, 8%
PC, 8%
Color Correction, 6%

Common graphic designer skills

Adobe Creative Suite, 6%
Adobe Photoshop, 6%
Adobe Illustrator, 6%
Typography, 5%
Brochures, 5%
Design Concepts, 5%