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The differences between graphic art designers and assistant 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 graphic art designer and an assistant designer. Additionally, an assistant designer has an average salary of $52,475, which is higher than the $42,598 average annual salary of a graphic art designer.
The top three skills for a graphic art designer include graphic design, web design and design. The most important skills for an assistant designer are sketch, tech packs, and adobe illustrator.
| Graphic Art Designer | Assistant Designer | |
| Yearly salary | $42,598 | $52,475 |
| Hourly rate | $20.48 | $25.23 |
| Growth rate | 3% | 3% |
| Number of jobs | 47,181 | 47,598 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 60% | Bachelor's Degree, 67% |
| Average age | 38 | 38 |
| Years of experience | 12 | 12 |
A graphic art designer specializes in conceptualizing and planning various art projects. They typically work at publishing companies, advertising agencies, tv and film industry, and other commercial art settings, together with graphic artists and other creators. Their responsibilities usually revolve around coordinating with the creative team, identifying the clients' preferences and projects' requirements, utilizing software and programs, developing layouts and drafts, presenting designs to clients, and performing revisions as necessary. Moreover, a graphic art designer must maintain an active communication line with team members for an efficient and smooth workflow.
Assistant designers act as administrative support to senior designers in creating innovative designs by negotiating with the vendors about the prices of decoration materials. They are keen and up-to-date to the latest fashion and trends by conducting surveys and research. They are exceptionally creative and innovative and have excellent IT skills as they use illustration, typography, and photography layouts in the design process. However, being an assistant designer, career development relies on his/her /her specialism, reputation, and experience depending on how its opportunities are influenced by the company he/she works for.
Graphic art designers and assistant designers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Graphic Art Designer | Assistant Designer | |
| Average salary | $42,598 | $52,475 |
| Salary range | Between $25,000 And $70,000 | Between $37,000 And $73,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | Seattle, WA |
| Highest paying state | California | Washington |
| Best paying company | Meta | PVH |
| Best paying industry | Hospitality | Construction |
There are a few differences between a graphic art designer and an assistant designer in terms of educational background:
| Graphic Art Designer | Assistant Designer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 60% | Bachelor's Degree, 67% |
| Most common major | Graphic Design | Graphic Design |
| Most common college | University of Pennsylvania | University of Pennsylvania |
Here are the differences between graphic art designers' and assistant designers' demographics:
| Graphic Art Designer | Assistant Designer | |
| Average age | 38 | 38 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 51.7% Female, 48.3% | Male, 28.3% Female, 71.7% |
| 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% |