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The differences between graphic art designers and freelance 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 a freelance designer. Additionally, a freelance designer has an average salary of $57,260, 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 a freelance designer are sketch, CSS, and HTML.
| Graphic Art Designer | Freelance Designer | |
| Yearly salary | $42,598 | $57,260 |
| Hourly rate | $20.48 | $27.53 |
| Growth rate | 3% | 3% |
| Number of jobs | 47,181 | 45,914 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 60% | Bachelor's Degree, 73% |
| 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.
Freelance designers are creative, independent contractors who create visual and graphic designs for their clients. They develop text and illustrated versions of brands, messages, and communications with strong visible influence with their clients. Typical activities include networking, seeking projects, and negotiating prices to their customers. They manage client proposals, develop concepts, present solutions, and ensure the timely completion of projects. Freelance visual and graphic designers are creative, self-motivated as well as result and deadline oriented.
Graphic art designers and freelance designers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Graphic Art Designer | Freelance Designer | |
| Average salary | $42,598 | $57,260 |
| Salary range | Between $25,000 And $70,000 | Between $39,000 And $83,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | - |
| Highest paying state | California | - |
| Best paying company | Meta | - |
| Best paying industry | Hospitality | - |
There are a few differences between a graphic art designer and a freelance designer in terms of educational background:
| Graphic Art Designer | Freelance Designer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 60% | Bachelor's Degree, 73% |
| 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 freelance designers' demographics:
| Graphic Art Designer | Freelance Designer | |
| Average age | 38 | 38 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 51.7% Female, 48.3% | Male, 48.0% Female, 52.0% |
| 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% |