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The differences between graphics illustrators and graphics specialists 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 graphics specialist. Additionally, a graphics illustrator has an average salary of $64,943, which is higher than the $56,007 average annual salary of a graphics specialist.
The top three skills for a graphics illustrator include adobe photoshop, graphic design and adobe indesign. The most important skills for a graphics specialist are graphic design, adobe illustrator, and adobe photoshop.
| Graphics Illustrator | Graphics Specialist | |
| Yearly salary | $64,943 | $56,007 |
| Hourly rate | $31.22 | $26.93 |
| Growth rate | 3% | 3% |
| Number of jobs | 2,854 | 12,267 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 70% | Bachelor's Degree, 62% |
| 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 graphics specialist is an expert at conceptualizing and developing visual art for businesses or individuals, typically for marketing or information purposes. Moreover, there are also opportunities for employment in the web and media industry. As a graphics specialist, their responsibilities include liaising with clients to identify their needs, understanding the purpose and message of the project, developing proposals, coordinating with team members, and conducting revisions as needed, all while adhering to the goals and deadlines set by the client or management.
Graphics illustrators and graphics specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Graphics Illustrator | Graphics Specialist | |
| Average salary | $64,943 | $56,007 |
| Salary range | Between $41,000 And $101,000 | Between $38,000 And $81,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | Washington |
| Best paying company | Uber Technologies | ZeniMax Media |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Finance |
There are a few differences between a graphics illustrator and a graphics specialist in terms of educational background:
| Graphics Illustrator | Graphics Specialist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 70% | Bachelor's Degree, 62% |
| Most common major | Graphic Design | Graphic Design |
| Most common college | University of Pennsylvania | University of Pennsylvania |
Here are the differences between graphics illustrators' and graphics specialists' demographics:
| Graphics Illustrator | Graphics Specialist | |
| Average age | 38 | 38 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 52.9% Female, 47.1% | Male, 53.4% Female, 46.6% |
| 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% |