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The differences between digital designers and lead 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 digital designer and a lead graphic designer. Additionally, a lead graphic designer has an average salary of $76,009, which is higher than the $72,987 average annual salary of a digital designer.
The top three skills for a digital designer include sketch, digital marketing and graphic design. The most important skills for a lead graphic designer are adobe photoshop, graphic design, and design concepts.
| Digital Designer | Lead Graphic Designer | |
| Yearly salary | $72,987 | $76,009 |
| Hourly rate | $35.09 | $36.54 |
| Growth rate | 3% | 3% |
| Number of jobs | 61,109 | 46,260 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 5 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 74% | Bachelor's Degree, 66% |
| Average age | 38 | 38 |
| Years of experience | 12 | 12 |
A digital designer is an individual who is responsible for creating digital assets for multimedia and graphic projects that can include mobile applications, video games, and interactive displays. Digital designers must collaborate with project managers, design teams, and content experts to interpret the team's concepts into a design that will deliver an effective user experience. They must be experts in using computer software and applications to create digital designs and convert data to a graphical interface such as HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. Digital designers must also have a bachelor's degree in graphic design or fine arts.
A lead graphic designer is responsible for creating, designing, and updating the company's visual aspects. The lead graphic designer works closely with the branding department alongside the advertising and marketing team. It is essential for the lead graphic designer must be creative, willing to think outside the box, and brave to dare novel ideas. The lead graphic designer is also responsible for leading the creative department in accomplishing assigned tasks from management.
Digital designers and lead graphic designers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Digital Designer | Lead Graphic Designer | |
| Average salary | $72,987 | $76,009 |
| Salary range | Between $46,000 And $114,000 | Between $44,000 And $131,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | Lyft | Netflix |
| Best paying industry | Automotive | Technology |
There are a few differences between a digital designer and a lead graphic designer in terms of educational background:
| Digital Designer | Lead Graphic Designer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 74% | Bachelor's Degree, 66% |
| Most common major | Graphic Design | Graphic Design |
| Most common college | University of Pennsylvania | University of Pennsylvania |
Here are the differences between digital designers' and lead graphic designers' demographics:
| Digital Designer | Lead Graphic Designer | |
| Average age | 38 | 38 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 60.0% Female, 40.0% | Male, 61.8% Female, 38.2% |
| 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% |