Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
The differences between graphic art 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 graphic art designer and a graphic design specialist. Additionally, a graphic design specialist has an average salary of $55,925, 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 graphic design specialist are graphic design, adobe creative suite, and visualization.
| Graphic Art Designer | Graphic Design Specialist | |
| Yearly salary | $42,598 | $55,925 |
| Hourly rate | $20.48 | $26.89 |
| Growth rate | 3% | 3% |
| Number of jobs | 47,181 | 49,055 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 60% | Bachelor's Degree, 68% |
| 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.
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.
Graphic art designers and graphic design specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Graphic Art Designer | Graphic Design Specialist | |
| Average salary | $42,598 | $55,925 |
| Salary range | Between $25,000 And $70,000 | Between $38,000 And $80,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | Washington |
| Best paying company | Meta | Berkshire Hathaway |
| Best paying industry | Hospitality | Technology |
There are a few differences between a graphic art designer and a graphic design specialist in terms of educational background:
| Graphic Art Designer | Graphic Design Specialist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 60% | Bachelor's Degree, 68% |
| 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 graphic design specialists' demographics:
| Graphic Art Designer | Graphic Design Specialist | |
| Average age | 38 | 38 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 51.7% Female, 48.3% | 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% |