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Graphic technician vs graphic artist

The differences between graphic technicians and graphic artists 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 technician and a graphic artist. Additionally, a graphic artist has an average salary of $54,900, which is higher than the $42,632 average annual salary of a graphic technician.

The top three skills for a graphic technician include graphic design, adobe illustrator and adobe photoshop. The most important skills for a graphic artist are graphic design, adobe photoshop, and adobe illustrator.

Graphic technician vs graphic artist overview

Graphic TechnicianGraphic Artist
Yearly salary$42,632$54,900
Hourly rate$20.50$26.39
Growth rate3%3%
Number of jobs8,8508,752
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 50%Bachelor's Degree, 61%
Average age3838
Years of experience1212

Graphic technician vs graphic artist salary

Graphic technicians and graphic artists have different pay scales, as shown below.

Graphic TechnicianGraphic Artist
Average salary$42,632$54,900
Salary rangeBetween $30,000 And $60,000Between $35,000 And $84,000
Highest paying CityPhoenix, AZBellevue, WA
Highest paying stateWashingtonWashington
Best paying companyVentura County Community FoundationParsons
Best paying industryTechnologyNon Profits

Differences between graphic technician and graphic artist education

There are a few differences between a graphic technician and a graphic artist in terms of educational background:

Graphic TechnicianGraphic Artist
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 50%Bachelor's Degree, 61%
Most common majorGraphic DesignGraphic Design
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Pennsylvania

Graphic technician vs graphic artist demographics

Here are the differences between graphic technicians' and graphic artists' demographics:

Graphic TechnicianGraphic Artist
Average age3838
Gender ratioMale, 58.3% Female, 41.7%Male, 54.6% Female, 45.4%
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 technician and graphic artist duties and responsibilities

Graphic technician example responsibilities.

  • Create spec sheets, perform mathematical typesetting, proofread comps and color separations, and manage file archive.
  • Apply graphics to vehicles, windows and billboards.
  • Typeset new jobs, printing and bindery work.
  • Maintain print files for digital retrieval on PC and Macintosh computers.
  • Operate copy center, run bindery equipment, and basic typesetting.
  • Maintain Macintosh and PC network with associate output devices (plotters, printers etc . )
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Graphic artist example responsibilities.

  • Manage external communications such as brochures and other sales collateral for direct mail from inception to circulation.
  • Develop, debug, and maintain client websites using HTML & CSS, WordPress, and basic use of JavaScript.
  • Flash & Dreamweaver software assisting in production of the company website.
  • Create custom graphic art for cars, windows, store fronts, business signs.
  • Design and implement the company's first Facebook app and engages in designing everything encompassing pixels and print.
  • Design, develop and maintain websites as projects present themselves with the use of HTML and WYSIWYG web development tools.
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Graphic technician vs graphic artist skills

Common graphic technician skills
  • Graphic Design, 16%
  • Adobe Illustrator, 14%
  • Adobe Photoshop, 9%
  • PC, 7%
  • Windows, 6%
  • Computer Graphics, 5%
Common graphic artist skills
  • Graphic Design, 12%
  • Adobe Photoshop, 10%
  • Adobe Illustrator, 9%
  • Art Direction, 7%
  • Photography, 5%
  • Brochures, 4%

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