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The differences between graphic designers and assistant 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 and an assistant designer. Additionally, an assistant designer has an average salary of $52,475, which is higher than the $49,450 average annual salary of a graphic designer.
The top three skills for a graphic designer include adobe creative suite, adobe photoshop and adobe illustrator. The most important skills for an assistant designer are sketch, tech packs, and adobe illustrator.
| Graphic Designer | Assistant Designer | |
| Yearly salary | $49,450 | $52,475 |
| Hourly rate | $23.77 | $25.23 |
| Growth rate | 3% | 3% |
| Number of jobs | 45,625 | 47,598 |
| Job satisfaction | 5 | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 68% | Bachelor's Degree, 67% |
| Average age | 38 | 38 |
| Years of experience | 12 | 12 |
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.
Assistant designers act as administrative support to senior designers in creating innovative designs by negotiating with the vendors about the prices of decoration materials. They are keen and up-to-date to the latest fashion and trends by conducting surveys and research. They are exceptionally creative and innovative and have excellent IT skills as they use illustration, typography, and photography layouts in the design process. However, being an assistant designer, career development relies on his/her /her specialism, reputation, and experience depending on how its opportunities are influenced by the company he/she works for.
Graphic designers and assistant designers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Graphic Designer | Assistant Designer | |
| Average salary | $49,450 | $52,475 |
| Salary range | Between $34,000 And $69,000 | Between $37,000 And $73,000 |
| Highest paying City | Washington, DC | Seattle, WA |
| Highest paying state | Massachusetts | Washington |
| Best paying company | Meta | PVH |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Construction |
There are a few differences between a graphic designer and an assistant designer in terms of educational background:
| Graphic Designer | Assistant Designer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 68% | Bachelor's Degree, 67% |
| Most common major | Graphic Design | Graphic Design |
| Most common college | University of Pennsylvania | University of Pennsylvania |
Here are the differences between graphic designers' and assistant designers' demographics:
| Graphic Designer | Assistant Designer | |
| Average age | 38 | 38 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 49.8% Female, 50.2% | Male, 28.3% Female, 71.7% |
| 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% |