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The differences between graphic designer/illustrators and graphic designers 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 designer/illustrator and a graphic designer. Additionally, a graphic designer has an average salary of $49,450, which is higher than the $45,124 average annual salary of a graphic designer/illustrator.
The top three skills for a graphic designer/illustrator include adobe illustrator, adobe photoshop and logo design. The most important skills for a graphic designer are adobe creative suite, adobe photoshop, and adobe illustrator.
| Graphic Designer/Illustrator | Graphic Designer | |
| Yearly salary | $45,124 | $49,450 |
| Hourly rate | $21.69 | $23.77 |
| Growth rate | 3% | 3% |
| Number of jobs | 44,853 | 45,625 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 5 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 70% | Bachelor's Degree, 68% |
| Average age | 38 | 38 |
| Years of experience | 12 | 12 |
As a graphic designer or illustrator, your job involves working with images to create visual displays for clients. If you work as a graphic designer, you may be required to create layouts using computer software. As a graphic illustrator, your job responsibility may revolve around drawing or painting images and uploading them to make digital copies. As a graphic designer/ illustrator, your job duties revolve around understanding the needs of your clients and being able to identify your target audience.
Graphic designers are visual communicators who create graphic ideas to deliver a message through art and images which inspire, inform, and motivate consumers with the use of computer software, especially Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign or by hand. They have the ability to design stunning illustrations that are easily understood, even without a lot of thinking or based on the demand of their clients. It is very crucial to them as well to be flexible and to stay on top of the design trends. They create websites, posters, packaging, logos, advertising, and marketing materials, depending on the nature of the business.
Graphic designer/illustrators and graphic designers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Graphic Designer/Illustrator | Graphic Designer | |
| Average salary | $45,124 | $49,450 |
| Salary range | Between $32,000 And $63,000 | Between $34,000 And $69,000 |
| Highest paying City | Mountain View, CA | Washington, DC |
| Highest paying state | California | Massachusetts |
| Best paying company | Meta | |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Technology |
There are a few differences between a graphic designer/illustrator and a graphic designer in terms of educational background:
| Graphic Designer/Illustrator | Graphic Designer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 70% | Bachelor's Degree, 68% |
| Most common major | Graphic Design | Graphic Design |
| Most common college | University of Pennsylvania | University of Pennsylvania |
Here are the differences between graphic designer/illustrators' and graphic designers' demographics:
| Graphic Designer/Illustrator | Graphic Designer | |
| Average age | 38 | 38 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 60.1% Female, 39.9% | Male, 49.8% Female, 50.2% |
| 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% |