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The differences between graphic arts technicians and design directors 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 arts technician and a design director. Additionally, a design director has an average salary of $132,823, which is higher than the $53,758 average annual salary of a graphic arts technician.
The top three skills for a graphic arts technician include graphic design, adobe indesign and fine arts. The most important skills for a design director are sketch, human centered design, and product design.
| Graphic Arts Technician | Design Director | |
| Yearly salary | $53,758 | $132,823 |
| Hourly rate | $25.85 | $63.86 |
| Growth rate | 3% | 3% |
| Number of jobs | 9,382 | 48,337 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 50% | Bachelor's Degree, 73% |
| Average age | 38 | 38 |
| Years of experience | 12 | 12 |
Graphic arts technicians and design directors have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Graphic Arts Technician | Design Director | |
| Average salary | $53,758 | $132,823 |
| Salary range | Between $35,000 And $81,000 | Between $82,000 And $212,000 |
| Highest paying City | - | Seattle, WA |
| Highest paying state | - | Washington |
| Best paying company | - | Proenza Schouler |
| Best paying industry | - | Manufacturing |
There are a few differences between a graphic arts technician and a design director in terms of educational background:
| Graphic Arts Technician | Design Director | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 50% | 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 arts technicians' and design directors' demographics:
| Graphic Arts Technician | Design Director | |
| Average age | 38 | 38 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 65.9% Female, 34.1% | Male, 60.0% Female, 40.0% |
| 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% |