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The differences between graphics illustrators and freelancers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 6-12 months to become both a graphics illustrator and a freelancer. Additionally, a graphics illustrator has an average salary of $64,943, which is higher than the $59,367 average annual salary of a freelancer.
The top three skills for a graphics illustrator include adobe photoshop, graphic design and adobe indesign. The most important skills for a freelancer are customer service, web content, and video production.
| Graphics Illustrator | Freelancer | |
| Yearly salary | $64,943 | $59,367 |
| Hourly rate | $31.22 | $28.54 |
| Growth rate | 3% | 3% |
| Number of jobs | 2,854 | 2,088 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 70% | Bachelor's Degree, 69% |
| Average age | 38 | 38 |
| Years of experience | 12 | 12 |
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.
A freelancer is a self-employed individual that provides services for multiple clients at one time and usually earns money on a per-job basis. Often known as independent contractors, freelancers usually set their schedules while running their own business and have a flexible lifestyle. They have the liberty to choose their clients that may be less confined to specific markets or sectors. Freelancers usually find work within the creative industries such as graphic design, copywriting, or photography.
Graphics illustrators and freelancers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Graphics Illustrator | Freelancer | |
| Average salary | $64,943 | $59,367 |
| Salary range | Between $41,000 And $101,000 | Between $40,000 And $86,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | - |
| Highest paying state | California | - |
| Best paying company | Uber Technologies | - |
| Best paying industry | Technology | - |
There are a few differences between a graphics illustrator and a freelancer in terms of educational background:
| Graphics Illustrator | Freelancer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 70% | Bachelor's Degree, 69% |
| Most common major | Graphic Design | Graphic Design |
| Most common college | University of Pennsylvania | University of Pennsylvania |
Here are the differences between graphics illustrators' and freelancers' demographics:
| Graphics Illustrator | Freelancer | |
| Average age | 38 | 38 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 52.9% Female, 47.1% | Male, 47.7% Female, 52.3% |
| 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% |