Post job

Graphic designer/illustrator vs graphics illustrator

The differences between graphic designer/illustrators and graphics illustrators 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 graphics illustrator. Additionally, a graphics illustrator has an average salary of $64,943, 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 graphics illustrator are adobe photoshop, graphic design, and adobe indesign.

Graphic designer/illustrator vs graphics illustrator overview

Graphic Designer/IllustratorGraphics Illustrator
Yearly salary$45,124$64,943
Hourly rate$21.69$31.22
Growth rate3%3%
Number of jobs44,8532,854
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 70%Bachelor's Degree, 70%
Average age3838
Years of experience1212

What does a graphic designer/illustrator do?

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.

What does a graphics illustrator do?

A graphics illustrator is an artist that is skilled in drawing, painting, digital illustration, art history, and sometimes marketing. Your job as an illustrator is to create a visual representation of an idea or associated text. Unlike a graphic designer, a graphic illustrator does a lot more drawing, product package design, book illustrations, and graphic novels. As a graphics illustrator, you may be required to lead lots of projects that deal with advertising design and publishing initiatives. In addition to that, you may be expected to produce mockups, wireframes, prototypes, and design specifications.

Graphic designer/illustrator vs graphics illustrator salary

Graphic designer/illustrators and graphics illustrators have different pay scales, as shown below.

Graphic Designer/IllustratorGraphics Illustrator
Average salary$45,124$64,943
Salary rangeBetween $32,000 And $63,000Between $41,000 And $101,000
Highest paying CityMountain View, CASan Francisco, CA
Highest paying stateCaliforniaCalifornia
Best paying companyGoogleUber Technologies
Best paying industryTechnologyTechnology

Differences between graphic designer/illustrator and graphics illustrator education

There are a few differences between a graphic designer/illustrator and a graphics illustrator in terms of educational background:

Graphic Designer/IllustratorGraphics Illustrator
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 70%Bachelor's Degree, 70%
Most common majorGraphic DesignGraphic Design
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Pennsylvania

Graphic designer/illustrator vs graphics illustrator demographics

Here are the differences between graphic designer/illustrators' and graphics illustrators' demographics:

Graphic Designer/IllustratorGraphics Illustrator
Average age3838
Gender ratioMale, 60.1% Female, 39.9%Male, 52.9% Female, 47.1%
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 designer/illustrator and graphics illustrator duties and responsibilities

Graphic designer/illustrator example responsibilities.

  • Used Applescript, Javascript, and Photoshop actions to automate tasks.
  • Design, illustrate brochures, permanent and temporary signs, van wraps, banners, posters and other print materials.
  • Sketch concepts for t-shirts and business logos.
  • Create and maintain websites using web design software and raw HTML.
  • Illustrate and design posters, programs, and graphs for in house company training, presentations, and events.
  • Design weekly and monthly topical website graphics and banner designs including Facebook social media content.
  • Show more

Graphics illustrator example responsibilities.

  • Lead the development and execution of several overhead presentations, advertising design, brochure marketing, and desktop publishing initiatives.
  • Involve in developing HTML and JavaScript for client side presentation and, data validation on the clientside with in the forms.
  • Create computer graphics and animation.
  • Proofread catalogs, ads and packaging.
  • Design logos, flyers, mailers, programs, etc.
  • Develop online presence strategy (SEO, Instagram, Facebook).
  • Show more

Graphic designer/illustrator vs graphics illustrator skills

Common graphic designer/illustrator skills
  • Adobe Illustrator, 14%
  • Adobe Photoshop, 11%
  • Logo Design, 6%
  • Adobe Indesign, 5%
  • Layout Design, 5%
  • Photography, 5%
Common graphics illustrator skills
  • Adobe Photoshop, 14%
  • Graphic Design, 8%
  • Adobe Indesign, 8%
  • Sketch, 7%
  • Web Design, 7%
  • Adobe Illustrator, 5%

Browse arts, entertainment, sports, and media jobs