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Graphic arts technician vs graphic artist

The differences between graphic arts technicians and graphic artists 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 graphic artist. Additionally, a graphic artist has an average salary of $54,900, 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 graphic artist are graphic design, adobe photoshop, and adobe illustrator.

Graphic arts technician vs graphic artist overview

Graphic Arts TechnicianGraphic Artist
Yearly salary$53,758$54,900
Hourly rate$25.85$26.39
Growth rate3%3%
Number of jobs9,3828,752
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 50%Bachelor's Degree, 61%
Average age3838
Years of experience1212

Graphic arts technician vs graphic artist salary

Graphic arts technicians and graphic artists have different pay scales, as shown below.

Graphic Arts TechnicianGraphic Artist
Average salary$53,758$54,900
Salary rangeBetween $35,000 And $81,000Between $35,000 And $84,000
Highest paying City-Bellevue, WA
Highest paying state-Washington
Best paying company-Parsons
Best paying industry-Non Profits

Differences between graphic arts technician and graphic artist education

There are a few differences between a graphic arts technician and a graphic artist in terms of educational background:

Graphic Arts TechnicianGraphic Artist
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 50%Bachelor's Degree, 61%
Most common majorGraphic DesignGraphic Design
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Pennsylvania

Graphic arts technician vs graphic artist demographics

Here are the differences between graphic arts technicians' and graphic artists' demographics:

Graphic Arts TechnicianGraphic Artist
Average age3838
Gender ratioMale, 65.9% Female, 34.1%Male, 54.6% Female, 45.4%
Race ratioBlack 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 Percentage13%13%

Differences between graphic arts technician and graphic artist duties and responsibilities

Graphic arts technician example responsibilities.

  • Manage external communications such as brochures and other sales collateral for direct mail from inception to circulation.
  • Plan and conduct professional development workshops on PowerPoint presentations.
  • Utilize a variety of creative media including illustration, photography and digital design to convey ideas beautifully and intelligently.
  • Create printed service menus in QuarkXPress for auto dealership service departments following the recommended maintenance schedules for each auto manufacturer.

Graphic artist example responsibilities.

  • Manage external communications such as brochures and other sales collateral for direct mail from inception to circulation.
  • Develop, debug, and maintain client websites using HTML & CSS, WordPress, and basic use of JavaScript.
  • Flash & Dreamweaver software assisting in production of the company website.
  • Create custom graphic art for cars, windows, store fronts, business signs.
  • Design and implement the company's first Facebook app and engages in designing everything encompassing pixels and print.
  • Design, develop and maintain websites as projects present themselves with the use of HTML and WYSIWYG web development tools.
  • Show more

Graphic arts technician vs graphic artist skills

Common graphic arts technician skills
  • Graphic Design, 33%
  • Adobe Indesign, 28%
  • Fine Arts, 21%
  • Typesetting, 10%
  • Protectors, 8%
Common graphic artist skills
  • Graphic Design, 12%
  • Adobe Photoshop, 10%
  • Adobe Illustrator, 9%
  • Art Direction, 7%
  • Photography, 5%
  • Brochures, 4%

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