Post job

Graphic arts technician vs production artist

The differences between graphic arts technicians and production 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 production artist. Additionally, a production artist has an average salary of $61,870, 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 production artist are graphic design, adobe photoshop, and adobe creative suite.

Graphic arts technician vs production artist overview

Graphic Arts TechnicianProduction Artist
Yearly salary$53,758$61,870
Hourly rate$25.85$29.75
Growth rate3%3%
Number of jobs9,38259,103
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 50%Bachelor's Degree, 68%
Average age3838
Years of experience1212

Graphic arts technician vs production artist salary

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

Graphic Arts TechnicianProduction Artist
Average salary$53,758$61,870
Salary rangeBetween $35,000 And $81,000Between $40,000 And $94,000
Highest paying City-San Francisco, CA
Highest paying state-Washington
Best paying company-Apple
Best paying industry--

Differences between graphic arts technician and production artist education

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

Graphic Arts TechnicianProduction Artist
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 50%Bachelor's Degree, 68%
Most common majorGraphic DesignGraphic Design
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Pennsylvania

Graphic arts technician vs production artist demographics

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

Graphic Arts TechnicianProduction Artist
Average age3838
Gender ratioMale, 65.9% Female, 34.1%Male, 57.2% Female, 42.8%
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 production 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.

Production artist example responsibilities.

  • Manage print jobs, design, copywriting.
  • Produce and code HTML emails that are browser/email client-friendly, as well code landing pages in CSS.
  • Code web pages with HTML5, CSS, JavaScript, PHP, and WordPress.
  • Update and maintain CMS website.
  • Work almost daily in the mac studio.
  • Submit sketch approvals to USDA for their review.
  • Show more

Graphic arts technician vs production artist skills

Common graphic arts technician skills
  • Graphic Design, 33%
  • Adobe Indesign, 28%
  • Fine Arts, 21%
  • Typesetting, 10%
  • Protectors, 8%
Common production artist skills
  • Graphic Design, 12%
  • Adobe Photoshop, 9%
  • Adobe Creative Suite, 7%
  • Adobe Illustrator, 7%
  • Adobe Indesign, 5%
  • Production Art, 5%

Browse arts, entertainment, sports, and media jobs