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The differences between graphic designer/productions and lead 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/production and a lead graphic designer. Additionally, a lead graphic designer has an average salary of $76,009, which is higher than the $48,619 average annual salary of a graphic designer/production.
The top three skills for a graphic designer/production include graphic design, adobe photoshop and adobe illustrator. The most important skills for a lead graphic designer are adobe photoshop, graphic design, and design concepts.
| Graphic Designer/Production | Lead Graphic Designer | |
| Yearly salary | $48,619 | $76,009 |
| Hourly rate | $23.37 | $36.54 |
| Growth rate | 3% | 3% |
| Number of jobs | 95,831 | 46,260 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 5 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 63% | Bachelor's Degree, 66% |
| Average age | 38 | 38 |
| Years of experience | 12 | 12 |
A Graphics Designer in production is the person in charge of designing and interpreting ideas pointed out by the client or the company. The graphics designer must use market standard applications and techniques to produce attention-grabbing designs intended to market a product, service, or company. Graphic designers are an integral part of a company's digital marketing, especially over the internet. The graphic designer must have a good eye for style, typesetting, and the use of colors.
A lead graphic designer is responsible for creating, designing, and updating the company's visual aspects. The lead graphic designer works closely with the branding department alongside the advertising and marketing team. It is essential for the lead graphic designer must be creative, willing to think outside the box, and brave to dare novel ideas. The lead graphic designer is also responsible for leading the creative department in accomplishing assigned tasks from management.
Graphic designer/productions and lead graphic designers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Graphic Designer/Production | Lead Graphic Designer | |
| Average salary | $48,619 | $76,009 |
| Salary range | Between $35,000 And $67,000 | Between $44,000 And $131,000 |
| Highest paying City | Menlo Park, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | Maryland | California |
| Best paying company | Optimum Nutrition | Netflix |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Technology |
There are a few differences between a graphic designer/production and a lead graphic designer in terms of educational background:
| Graphic Designer/Production | Lead Graphic Designer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 63% | Bachelor's Degree, 66% |
| Most common major | Graphic Design | Graphic Design |
| Most common college | University of Pennsylvania | University of Pennsylvania |
Here are the differences between graphic designer/productions' and lead graphic designers' demographics:
| Graphic Designer/Production | Lead Graphic Designer | |
| Average age | 38 | 38 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 57.0% Female, 43.0% | Male, 61.8% Female, 38.2% |
| 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% |