How to hire a graphic technician

How to hire a graphic technician, step by step

Here's a step-by-step graphic technician hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a graphic technician job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new graphic technician
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   The graphic technician hiring process starts by determining what type of worker you actually need. Certain roles might require a full-time employee, whereas part-time workers or contractors can do others.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   You should also consider the ideal background you'd like them a graphic technician to have before you start to hire. For example, what industry or field would you like them to have experience in, what level of seniority or education does the job require, and how much it'll cost to hire a graphic technician that fits the bill.

   The following list breaks down different types of graphic technicians and their corresponding salaries.

   Type of Graphic Technician	Description	Hourly rate
   Graphic Technician	Graphic designers create visual concepts, using computer software or by hand, to communicate ideas that inspire, inform, and captivate consumers. They develop the overall layout and production design for various applications such as advertisements, brochures, magazines, and corporate reports.	$14-28
   Lead Designer	A lead designer is responsible for addressing the clients' needs of digital content and coordinating with the design team for the planning and innovation of the visual design and concept. Lead designers conduct the initial layout of frameworks and collaborate with the art staff for the specifications and outputs using various software applications and digital boards... Show more	$37-74
   Web Designer	A web designer is a creative professional responsible for creating and redesigning the content and layout of websites. Web designers are required to meet clients and users to discuss the needs and goals of their clients... Show more	$20-46

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Graphic Design
   • Adobe Illustrator
   • Adobe Photoshop
   • PC
   • Windows
   • Computer Graphics
   • Software Programs
   • Adobe Indesign
   • Autocad
   • CAD
   • Production Functions
   • Corel Draw
   • Quark
   • Mac

   Check all skills

   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 . )

   More graphic technician duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your graphic technician job description is one of the best ways to attract top talent. A graphic technician can vary based on:

   • Location. For example, graphic technicians' average salary in alabama is 52% less than in washington.
   • Seniority. Entry-level graphic technicians 50% less than senior-level graphic technicians.
   • Certifications. A graphic technician with certifications usually earns a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for an established firm or a new start-up company can make a big difference in a graphic technician's salary.

   Average graphic technician salary

   $42,632yearly

   $20.50 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level graphic technician salary

   $30,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 19, 2025

   Average graphic technician salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	Arizona	$48,847	$23
   2	California	$47,578	$23
   3	Wisconsin	$46,576	$22
   4	Colorado	$46,487	$22
   5	Texas	$41,973	$20
   6	Indiana	$38,278	$18
   7	Tennessee	$38,089	$18
   8	Oklahoma	$35,899	$17
   9	Florida	$35,834	$17
   10	Georgia	$34,957	$17

   Average graphic technician salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	Ventura County Community Foundation	$54,465	$26.19
   2	Green Bay Packaging	$52,234	$25.11
   3	WestRock	$50,816	$24.43
   4	International Paper	$48,673	$23.40
   5	Kern Community College District	$48,634	$23.38
   6	Tennessee	$47,640	$22.90
   7	Warner Bros.	$47,345	$22.76	4
   8	WarnerMedia	$47,203	$22.69
   9	NEP Group	$47,103	$22.65
   10	Sun Chemical	$44,287	$21.29
   11	Anheuser-Busch	$43,613	$20.97
   12	Mayo Clinic	$43,464	$20.90
   13	Randstad North America, Inc.	$41,852	$20.12
   14	County Of Ventura	$38,809	$18.66
   15	Fortis Solutions Group	$37,371	$17.97
   16	Cenveo	$35,489	$17.06
   17	R.M. Schulte & Associates	$34,712	$16.69

4. Writing a graphic technician job description

   A good graphic technician job description should include a few things:

   • Summary of the role
   • List of responsibilities
   • Required skills and experience

   Including a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager is also appreciated by candidates. Here's an example of a graphic technician job description:

   Graphic technician job description example

   Title:
   Data
   Visualization/Infographic
   Technician
   
   KBR is seeking a data visualization and infographics analyst with a multi-faceted skillset/education base between visual design, intelligence, data analysis (or data science), and CAD modeling. This analyst will provide intelligence visualization support at the National Air and Space Intelligence Center (NASIC) at Wright-Patterson AFB. An active TS/SCI clearance is required for this position.
   
   Job Duties:
   Conceptualize, design and produce creative, informative and intuitive infographics to communicate meaningful patterns from large amounts of data Identify and collaborate with the appropriate entities within the workflow process Determine quantity/quality of relevant data available for analysis and recommend collection requirements to mitigate data deficit Spatially and temporally correlate data Prepare and deliver briefings and/or demonstrations of developed visualization products Perform CAD model development and refinement Execute CAD model integration Work as part of a team with other analysts, engineers, and software developers Coordinate with analysts from other Mission PartnersWork independently and in a team environment
   
   Desired Qualifications:
   Bachelors Degree or direct education/experience in visual design, graphic design, commercial design, and/or data visualization Experience with military intelligence, IC processes and structure, and/or intelligence analysis and reporting Data analytics, data science, and/or data management experience CAD modeling and design Demonstrated knowledge in one or more of the following tools/languages:Adobe IllustratorAdobe PhotoshopAdobe Create SuiteBlenderMayaDS MaxZBrushSketchUpUnreal EnginSubstance PainterDreamweaverHTMLCSSJavaScriptWebGLAngularJSThree.js D3.js
   
   Additional Related Skills:
   3D modeling, rendering, compositing, video game design, 3D topology, 3D simulations, photogrammetry, CAD design and/or modeling, and 3D environments.
   
   In compliance with the U.S. federal government's vaccine mandate, only candidates who are fully vaccinated for COVID-19 or have a reasonable accommodation or approved medical exception will be considered for this position.
   
   KBR is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, veteran status, genetic information, union status and/or beliefs, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   To find graphic technicians for your business, try out a few different recruiting strategies:

   • Consider internal talent. One of the most important talent pools for any company is its current employees.
   • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and your current work to ask if they know any graphic technicians they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit entry-level graphic technicians with the right educational background.
   • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter have more than 3.5 billion users, and they're a great place for company branding and reaching potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your graphic technician job on Zippia to find and recruit graphic technician candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites such as dribbble, authentic jobs, working not working, coroflot.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   To successfully recruit graphic technicians, your first interview needs to engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. You can go into more detail about the company, the role, and the responsibilities during follow-up interviews.

   You should also ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match the ideal candidate profile you developed earlier. Candidates good enough for the next step can complete the technical interview.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new graphic technician

   Once you've selected the best graphic technician candidate for the job, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, this letter should include details about the benefits and perks you offer the candidate. Ensuring that your offer is competitive is essential, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and you should be open to discussion. After you reach an agreement, the final step is formalizing the agreement with a contract.

   It's also good etiquette to follow up with applicants who don't get the job by sending them an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

   To prepare for the new graphic technician first day, you should share an onboarding schedule with them that covers their first period on the job. You should also quickly complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Finally, Human Resources must ensure a new employee file is created for internal record keeping.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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