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Job outlook for graphic arts technicians in the United States
Are graphic arts technician jobs in demand?
Graphic arts technician job and salary trends over time
Graphic arts technician jobs over time
Graphic arts technician job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 82 | 0.00% |
| 2020 | 81 | 0.00% |
| 2019 | 87 | 0.00% |
| 2018 | 88 | 0.00% |
| 2017 | 87 | 0.00% |
Average graphic arts technician salary over time
Graphic arts technician salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $53,758 | $25.85 | +2.4% |
| 2024 | $52,479 | $25.23 | +3.5% |
| 2023 | $50,727 | $24.39 | +3.4% |
| 2022 | $49,045 | $23.58 | +2.2% |
| 2021 | $47,978 | $23.07 | +1.6% |
Graphic arts technician jobs by state
Most common states for graphic arts technicians
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Maine | 1,335,907 | 105 | 8% |
| 2 | Vermont | 623,657 | 48 | 8% |
| 3 | Delaware | 961,939 | 62 | 6% |
| 4 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 331 | 5% |
| 5 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 49 | 5% |
| 6 | Illinois | 12,802,023 | 504 | 4% |
| 7 | North Carolina | 10,273,419 | 362 | 4% |
| 8 | Missouri | 6,113,532 | 249 | 4% |
| 9 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 226 | 4% |
| 10 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 216 | 4% |
| 11 | Wisconsin | 5,795,483 | 208 | 4% |
| 12 | Connecticut | 3,588,184 | 147 | 4% |
| 13 | West Virginia | 1,815,857 | 65 | 4% |
| 14 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 31 | 4% |
| 15 | New York | 19,849,399 | 557 | 3% |
| 16 | New Jersey | 9,005,644 | 264 | 3% |
| 17 | Michigan | 9,962,311 | 263 | 3% |
| 18 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 241 | 3% |
| 19 | Iowa | 3,145,711 | 94 | 3% |
| 20 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 43 | 3% |
Most common cities for graphic arts technicians
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dallas | 1 | 0% | $45,427 |
| 2 | Orlando | 1 | 0% | $49,038 |
Graphic Arts Technician job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of graphic arts technician experts
Highline College
Texas State University
Eastern Illinois University
Mississippi College
Kansas City Art Institute
University of Oklahoma
Saint Xavier University
Oakland University
University of Missouri - Columbia
Wilson College
YKMD Visual Communication
Mansfield University of Pennsylvania
College of Central Florida
What skills will help Graphic Arts Technicians earn the most?
Diana Boyd: -Originality/Creativity
-UX/UI design
-Branding
-Marketing and Advertising
-Illustration
What soft skills should all Graphic Arts Technicians possess?
Diana Boyd: -Collaboration/Teamwork
-Interpersonal
-Reliability
-Ethical behavior
-Self-starter
Holly Sterling
Associate Professor of Communication Design, Internship CoordinatorTexas State University
School of Art and Design
What soft skills should all Graphic Arts Technicians possess?
Holly Sterling: - Strong communication and problem-solving skills - not only in your design work but in your day-to-day job.
- Being able to work collaboratively and be a responsible team member (i.e., productive, organized, respond positively to feedback, adaptable).
Samantha Osborne
Assistant Professor of Graphic Design, Owner, Samantha Osborne DesignEastern Illinois University
Art + Design
What soft skills should all Graphic Arts Technicians possess?
Samantha Osborne: Three soft skills stand out most: an ability to see the big picture, an ability to "read" people, and an ability to make a convincing argument for your design solution(s).
i. An ability to see big picture: there are an infinite number of details in graphic design, whether you work in website design on the front or back end, or in print media with physical outputs. It's easy to get caught up on the details, especially when clients are making specific demands about things such as paper type. A skilled designer must be able to see beyond the details and look at the big picture for an effective design solution. For example, a client may be asking for an invitation design for an up-coming event. A skilled designer will ask questions and dig in, eventually uncovering that perhaps for a successful event, the client also needs a splash page and social media, either in place of or in addition to an invitation. A skilled designer addresses design problems holistically, rather than minutely.
ii. An ability to "read" people: designers are trained in art-specific vocabulary. Hue, saturation, pixels, gestalt...most non-art folks don't use or speak that language. When clients are describing their goals, they aren't using art-vocabulary. It's a designer's job to translate what the client is saying into an advanced and effective creative solution. They must be able to speak and understand the language of non-creative folks, as well as the language of the broader creative industry.
iii. An ability to make a convincing argument for your design solution(s): many young and inexperienced designer tend to get their hearts broken when a client smashes one of their [very well thought-out] ideas. Rather than rolling over, a designer must learn to navigate how best to build support for their idea(s). That might mean in some instances you work more fluidly with the client throughout the design process, so that they feel they have ownership in the development of the solution. In other instances it might mean that the designer is presenting options, rather than a single solution, so that the client feels empowered to make choices throughout the design process. And in some instances, it might be a matter of better explaining and presenting your idea to a client; perhaps the designer needs to push back more, perhaps they need to provide more research as to why their solution is best, or maybe they simply need to present it with more excitement and enthusiasm.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Graphic Arts Technicians?
Benjamin Ivey: The enduring impact the pandemic will have on recent graduates will be a reliance on teleconferencing and online visual communication. Before coronavirus, we were accustomed to meeting "in person" for classes, interviews, and conferences. We only needed to be online for email, social media, and the occasional video. Now, it's the new norm for all classes and group meetings to have an online component. Employers are expecting to see portfolios and resumes online. Meeting in-person for your first job interview will be outmoded in favor of meeting via FaceTime or Zoom. Since many recent graduates are savvy with this technology, I don't foresee the trend changing anytime soon. People have quickly and readily embraced it.
What experience really stands out on Graphic Arts Technician resumes?
Benjamin Ivey: The best experiences that stand out to me are when students put projects or hobbies to teach themselves a skill. School can only give you so much education. But when students take the initiative to learn something outside of class, they are taking their education. This shows me they are trainable and motivated. If a student says, "I taught myself how to 3D print", "I designed this web app for fun," or even "I like to fix old cars on the weekend, "... these are things that show you are a life-long learner and it often separates you from the crowd. I've heard many success stories from my former students who go for job offers simply because they put one or two personal projects like this into their portfolio and resume.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Graphic Arts Technicians?
John Ferry: I believe so - how can we have something this significant happen and not have it affect our lives in a noticeable way. I actually think there are advantages to having this happen . . . If you look for the positives you'll find them . . . if you look for the negatives you'll find them . . . I can't speculate on what that impact will be - but, we'll all be impacted, Professors and Students. At the very least we are all a lot more familiar with how to navigate virtual meetings.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Graphic Arts Technician job market given the pandemic?
Tess Elliot: We've already seen great investment in technology and digital media in all sectors of the job market and I see this trend continuing.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Graphic Arts Technicians?
Cathie Ruggie Saunders: Yes, absolutely. Events of this caliber become imprinted memories that never go away. All a student will have to say is that they are a graduate of 2020, and everyone will know what that means. A collective consciousness of the nightmare kind. But aside from the abrupt goodbyes they were forced to do were the myriad of opportunities lost. So many of Saint Xavier University's graduates are first-generation. Not only were they looking forward to their graduation, but their parents were, since the parents were not able to do it themselves. And on a larger theatre, they are graduating into a world barely recognizable, despite the fact that they have been exposed, in their lifetime, to 9/11, school shootings, drastic climate change, systemic racism and more. Now, a global health crisis that has affected every facet of life as we knew it.
Carol Anne Ketelsen
Career Consultant for CAS and SONOakland University
School of Nursing, College of Arts and Sciences
What general advice would you give to a Graphic Arts Technician?
Carol Anne Ketelsen: When interviewing for a position remember that you are also interviewing them. As a candidate you need to determine if this company and culture is a fit for you. Although you want that job, be patient, be selective, and be realistic; you don't have to take the very first thing that comes your way. Do your homework on the company, position, and pay. Know your worth, and don't sell yourself short.
Once in the career, be professional. Dress professionally. Talk professionally. Act professionally. Learn the unwritten rules of the organization. Follow the chain of command. Ask the best way to connect with your supervisor. Accept personal responsibility. Share the credit on projects. Collaborate with others, and be a team player. Workplace professionalism is judged by your communication - verbal, nonverbal and written - your image, your competence, and your demeanor.
Dr. Julia Gaines
Director, Professor, PercussionUniversity of Missouri - Columbia
School of Music
What skills stand out on Graphic Arts Technician resumes?
Dr. Julia Gaines: Some experience with AV/IT. It will be necessary to be much more familiar with all platforms devoted to customer and student consumption.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Graphic Arts Technicians to find work opportunities?
Dr. Julia Gaines: Education is still a top market, and that will be needed in every state. Even private studios have evolved to teaching online, all over the world. The location has now become a bit more irrelevant. As long as you can work with a computer well, you should be able to get a job in the education field. Even international opportunities will be more relevant to students, at this point.
What type of skills will young Graphic Arts Technicians need?
Philip Lindsey: Communication skills, creative and critical thinking skills, problem-solving skills, work well independently, and in a team, tech-savvy, broad knowledge (liberal arts) + disciplinary knowledge.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Graphic Arts Technicians to find work opportunities?
Yanique DaCosta: Most may refer recent grads to the most notable staffing agencies like Creative Circle, Mondo, or 24Seven or job boards like Behance or Indeed. I prefer to send recent grads down a couple of less crowded paths; professional associations and meetup.com.
Professional organizations, like the Graphic Artists Guild, give recent grads a way to build relationships with industry leaders that will help pave their way to success.
Meetups/Networking events OUTSIDE of the design profession can give recent grads the opportunity to hobnob with company decision-makers that have real influence in the hiring process in a less formal setting.
How do you envision technology impacting Graphic Arts Technicians in the next 5 years?
Yanique DaCosta: The field of design has already found itself creating digitally dominant solutions. In the next five years, the demand for designers with competencies in UI/UX and virtual 3D design will continue to increase as we support the needs of our ever-evolving society.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Graphic Arts Technicians?
Michelle Lockwood: Oh, yes! There will be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on graduates, and all of us. It has already changed so much about how we interact, do business, socialize, learn, love, and just plain live. There is no way that it could not impact the future of this field, or any area, in my opinion. I think the job market will look very different in the months and years to come. We will adapt, and there will be more opportunities for creativity, more problems to solve, and more chances to engage and inform. But those practicing will need to remain flexible, adapt gracefully to changing circumstances, and find pockets where they can solve problems, and use their unique skillset to illuminate, inform, and delight -- just as we have always done -- only differently.
What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for Graphic Arts Technicians in the next 3-5 years?
Michelle Lockwood: A year ago, even six months ago, we would never have expected our lives to have taken the turns they have, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In that same sense, we cannot know what obstacles we will encounter in the next year, six months, or even next week. The aspect of technology that seems most important now is software that can bring the human experience of connection into our individual and separated lives. Technology has enabled those of us in design and applied arts, to continue creating and communicating. As always has been, technology is a tool, but it is not usually the entire idea. Yes, every message is altered and influenced by the medium with which it was created. Still, those beginning in this field need to remember that their uniqueness comes from the union of what is in their mind and their heart, and how they articulate and communicate that union.
Dr. Sarah Satterfield Ph.D.
Department Chair Visual and Performing Arts, Professor of Music and HumanitiesCollege of Central Florida
Engineering Technology
What general advice would you give to a Graphic Arts Technician?
Dr. Sarah Satterfield Ph.D.: I was once told, if you do what you love, you will never "work" a day in your life. I have found this true in my own career and hope our VPA graduates will find it true in theirs as well. The arts offer such a unique means of engaging and we, as arts educators, have an ability to "reach" those we have contact with, in a unique way.