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What is a graphic designer and photographer and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
3 min read
Quoted expert
Dr. Sarah Satterfield Ph.D.
The average graphic designer and photographer salary is $50,782. The most common degree is a bachelor's degree degree with an graphic design major. It usually takes 6-12 months of experience to become a graphic designer and photographer. Graphic designer and photographers with a Master Certified Web Professional - Designer (CWP) certification earn more money. Between 2018 and 2028, the career is expected to grow 3% and produce 6,800 job opportunities across the U.S.

What general advice would you give to a graphic designer and photographer?

Dr. Sarah Satterfield Ph.D.

Department Chair Visual and Performing Arts, Professor of Music and Humanities, College of Central Florida

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.
ScoreGraphic Designer And PhotographerUS Average
Salary
4.0

Avg. Salary $50,782

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level
4.2

Growth rate 3%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity
4.5
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.37%

Asian 10.42%

Black or African American 3.42%

Hispanic or Latino 10.63%

Unknown 4.99%

White 70.17%

Gender

female 47.26%

male 52.74%

Age - 37
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 37
Stress level
4.2

Stress level is moderate

7.1 - high

Complexity level
8.5

Complexity level is advanced

7 - challenging

Work life balance
3.9

Work life balance is poor

6.4 - fair

Graphic designer and photographer career paths

Key steps to become a graphic designer and photographer

  1. Explore graphic designer and photographer education requirements

    Most common graphic designer and photographer degrees

    Bachelor's

    65.2 %

    Associate

    23.8 %

    Master's

    4.5 %
  2. Start to develop specific graphic designer and photographer skills

    SkillsPercentages
    Product Photography22.06%
    Adobe Photoshop16.71%
    Adobe Illustrator4.32%
    Flyers3.99%
    Art Direction3.65%
  3. Complete relevant graphic designer and photographer training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of 1-3 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New graphic designer and photographers learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a graphic designer and photographer based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real graphic designer and photographer resumes.
  4. Research graphic designer and photographer duties and responsibilities

    • Manage graphic design projects from concept through production, including corporate logos, product catalogs, brochures, and sales flyers.
    • Implement the design for the website's graphics, brochures, business cards, flyers, newsletters and social media sites.
    • Conceive original designs and marketing concepts used in brochure and magazines; develop production-ready graphics in HTML and CSS.
    • Design daily newspaper ads, create brochures, logos, business cards, newsletters, prepare photos, outline images.
  5. Prepare your graphic designer and photographer resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your graphic designer and photographer resume.

    You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a graphic designer and photographer resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

    Choose from 10+ customizable graphic designer and photographer resume templates

    Build a professional graphic designer and photographer resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your graphic designer and photographer resume.
    Graphic Designer And Photographer Resume
    Graphic Designer And Photographer Resume
    Graphic Designer And Photographer Resume
    Graphic Designer And Photographer Resume
    Graphic Designer And Photographer Resume
    Graphic Designer And Photographer Resume
    Graphic Designer And Photographer Resume
    Graphic Designer And Photographer Resume
    Graphic Designer And Photographer Resume
  6. Apply for graphic designer and photographer jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for a graphic designer and photographer job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

    1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
    2. Consult your professional network
    3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
    4. Watch out for job scams

How did you land your first graphic designer and photographer job

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Average graphic designer and photographer salary

The average graphic designer and photographer salary in the United States is $50,782 per year or $24 per hour. Graphic designer and photographer salaries range between $37,000 and $68,000 per year.

Average graphic designer and photographer salary
$50,782 Yearly
$24.41 hourly

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How do graphic designer and photographers rate their job?

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Graphic designer and photographer reviews

profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Jul 2022
Pros

There is so much to like about working as Graphic Designer ... the seeing how all the elements of words, space, colors, visuals (photos, graphics, charts,...) come together on a page...sharing info with others to learn and use

Cons

When working with others who can not make up their minds as deadline approaches nor take responsibility and blames others for their own "misdoings".


profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Jul 2020
Cons

Interference in mid of work.

Pros

Creativity, Innovation, Intact Brand Integrity through Brand Guidelines


profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Sep 2019
Pros

The ability to communicate with letters and images for to me its the loudess means of communication.

Cons

I dislike being un-informed or not being informed on time, For information and time is a essential to me. My time is precious.


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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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