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The differences between digital media designers 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 digital media designer and a graphic design specialist. Additionally, a digital media designer has an average salary of $56,476, which is higher than the $55,925 average annual salary of a graphic design specialist.
The top three skills for a digital media designer include digital marketing, graphic design and adobe creative suite. The most important skills for a graphic design specialist are graphic design, adobe creative suite, and visualization.
| Digital Media Designer | Graphic Design Specialist | |
| Yearly salary | $56,476 | $55,925 |
| Hourly rate | $27.15 | $26.89 |
| Growth rate | 3% | 3% |
| Number of jobs | 67,696 | 49,055 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 71% | Bachelor's Degree, 68% |
| Average age | 38 | 38 |
| Years of experience | 12 | 12 |
A digital media designer specializes in designing and developing visual materials for advertisements, campaigns, film, television, and print using special computer programs. They typically work as a member of a design team and create materials such as images, effects, or even animation. As a digital media designer, their responsibilities include understanding and identifying project needs and requirements, developing drafts for client approval, revising designs as necessary, and maintaining records of all transactions. Moreover, a digital media designer must keep an open communication line with team members for an efficient workflow.
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.
Digital media designers and graphic design specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Digital Media Designer | Graphic Design Specialist | |
| Average salary | $56,476 | $55,925 |
| Salary range | Between $41,000 And $76,000 | Between $38,000 And $80,000 |
| Highest paying City | Seattle, WA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | Washington | Washington |
| Best paying company | FNB | Berkshire Hathaway |
| Best paying industry | Start-up | Technology |
There are a few differences between a digital media designer and a graphic design specialist in terms of educational background:
| Digital Media Designer | Graphic Design Specialist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 71% | Bachelor's Degree, 68% |
| Most common major | Graphic Design | Graphic Design |
| Most common college | Carnegie Mellon University | University of Pennsylvania |
Here are the differences between digital media designers' and graphic design specialists' demographics:
| Digital Media Designer | Graphic Design Specialist | |
| Average age | 38 | 38 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 66.2% Female, 33.8% | 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% |