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Job outlook for graphics production specialists in the United States
Are graphics production specialist jobs in demand?
Graphics production specialist job and salary trends over time
Graphics production specialist jobs over time
Graphics production specialist job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 125 | 0.00% |
| 2020 | 123 | 0.00% |
| 2019 | 132 | 0.00% |
| 2018 | 133 | 0.00% |
| 2017 | 133 | 0.00% |
Average graphics production specialist salary over time
Graphics production specialist salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $56,649 | $27.24 | +2.4% |
| 2024 | $55,301 | $26.59 | +3.5% |
| 2023 | $53,455 | $25.70 | +3.4% |
| 2022 | $51,682 | $24.85 | +2.2% |
| 2021 | $50,557 | $24.31 | +1.6% |
Graphics production specialist jobs by state
Most common states for graphics production specialists
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Iowa | 3,145,711 | 676 | 21% |
| 2 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 927 | 17% |
| 3 | Wisconsin | 5,795,483 | 914 | 16% |
| 4 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 304 | 16% |
| 5 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 214 | 16% |
| 6 | Vermont | 623,657 | 97 | 16% |
| 7 | Indiana | 6,666,818 | 1,024 | 15% |
| 8 | Kansas | 2,913,123 | 402 | 14% |
| 9 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 102 | 14% |
| 10 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 99 | 14% |
| 11 | Ohio | 11,658,609 | 1,492 | 13% |
| 12 | Kentucky | 4,454,189 | 581 | 13% |
| 13 | Maine | 1,335,907 | 170 | 13% |
| 14 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 818 | 12% |
| 15 | Oregon | 4,142,776 | 516 | 12% |
| 16 | Utah | 3,101,833 | 384 | 12% |
| 17 | Delaware | 961,939 | 120 | 12% |
| 18 | Pennsylvania | 12,805,537 | 1,384 | 11% |
| 19 | Michigan | 9,962,311 | 1,052 | 11% |
| 20 | Idaho | 1,716,943 | 194 | 11% |
Graphics Production Specialist job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of graphics production specialist experts
Emory University
Albion College
Stonehill College
California State University - Stanislaus
Tyler School of Art and Architecture, Temple University
University of California, Santa Barbara
Southern Methodist University
Ariel Fristoe
Instructor, Artistic Director of Out of Hand TheaterEmory University
Theater Studies
What's a good job out of college for Graphics Production Specialists?
Ariel Fristoe: Too many artists make the mistake of never considering an administrative job in the arts, and end up waiting tables or tutoring, which is a terrible waste of their skills and passion. Instead, they can use their creativity and communication skills in marketing, fundraising, or program development, to serve the art form they love, and not rely on the inconsistent income of the artist's gig economy. My advice is, find an arts organization you love, volunteer or intern for them, and make yourself indispensable. Then apply for whatever entry-level jobs they advertise. Employers love to hire people they already know they like to work with.
What technical skills for a Graphics Production Specialist stand out to employers?
Ariel Fristoe: Applicants entering the job market in the arts have a real advantage if they have video editing and/or strong social media skills. Basic graphic design skills are also very useful, and employers are also always looking for strong communication and collaboration skills, and excellent writers.
David Abbott
ChairAlbion College
Department of Music
What technical skills for a Graphics Production Specialist stand out to employers?
David Abbott: Skills in technology will primarily be more important than ever as we transition not only into more virtual learning but also even after the pandemic, I think virtual learning will still remain somewhat just as I have little doubt that across education as well as in many business settings, virtual meetings will slowly begin to become the norm. I regret this as I feel it ultimately (llike with the iphone texting, etc.) will contribute to a great social isolation that will ultimately have a pejorative effect on how we learn and interact as individuals.
What type of skills will young Graphics Production Specialists need?
Matthew Greene: Theatre graduates, in order to work, must be disciplined self-starters first and artists second. They need to get out there (in person or virtually) and be persistent. This fact hasn't changed in the past 100 years, but the means in which to engage, find and create work is transforming in front of our eyes. It is now essential to have an online presence and the ability and resources to produce "self-tapes", the new standard for auditioning. While many aspects of theatre will return as we have known them, I imagine a lot of the job-seeking efforts, primarily auditioning, will continue virtually. This alone makes more opportunities available to more people, and levels the playing field a good deal.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Graphics Production Specialist job market given the pandemic?
Abby Guido: Work-from-home options, and not just for now. I've noticed many small to midsize design firms opting to forego their brick and mortar locations to embrace forever being virtual. Even some larger companies are making similar announcements.
Risa Brainin
Professor, Artistic Director, LAUNCH PADUniversity of California, Santa Barbara
Department of Theater and Dance
What experience really stands out on Graphics Production Specialist resumes?
Risa Brainin: Especially in the pandemic, any and ALL experience will stand out on a resume. The fact that we kept creating through this impossibly difficult time speaks well of each and every artist. That kind of commitment and tenacity builds strength of character and skill.
Dr. B. Kathleen Gallagher Ph.D.
Assistant Professor - Arts Management and Arts EntrepreneurshipSouthern Methodist University
Meadows School of the Arts
What general advice would you give to a Graphics Production Specialist?
Dr. B. Kathleen Gallagher Ph.D.: Networks are incredibly important. n 1973, Mark Granovetter published an article, "The Strength of Weak Ties." Gershon revisited it in a 2017 Harvard Business Review article (Hbr). My advice is something of a mash-up between the lit and my experience. Get to know the people in your network. Grow your network through introductions. Talk to your professors and advisors, relatives, friends of the family, alumni from your school(s), or from clubs or associations.
Ask them if they know someone who might help you learn about your professional interests. Seek opportunities for informational interviews so that you can learn about jobs, industries, and strategies that did or didn't work. Not everyone has time, but a lot will. Stay in touch with your contacts and make sure they know enough about you to be able to recommend you for opportunities when they come up. I tell my students to come see me during office hours. One reason is that I get to know them better. Then, when they ask if I'll be a reference or write a recommendation for them, I have additional information (data) that I can match to the opportunity in order to present a persuasive argument for selecting the person I'm recommending.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Graphics Production Specialist job market given the pandemic?
Dr. B. Kathleen Gallagher Ph.D.: The creative industries are a broad category and includes for-profit and non-profit organizations. These categories have experienced different effects of the pandemic.
Museums and theaters had to shut down as a result of the pandemic. There were furloughs and layoffs. Some have connected with their audience through online delivery of performances but the experience and pricing structure have been different. All are watching their financial positions carefully.
Given my research on population dynamics of nonprofit arts organizations, we should be particularly concerned about small and new organizations. And these venues are often where recent graduates as well as emerging artists and performers get their first opportunities. So, this will definitely present some additional challenges to job seekers.
In the for-profit industry it's something of a tale of two cities.
Movie theaters and commercial music venues are suffering from the same issues as the non-profits. AMC may file for bankruptcy (Bloomberg).
Simultaneously, many Americans have really relied on entertainment from streaming platforms to adjust to a pandemic lifestyle. Disney+ made headlines in April when they announced more than 50 million paid subscribers (Barrons). But the simultaneous release of movies in theaters and streaming creates a scenario unthought of when contracts with the talent were written that will require significant adaptation (Nytimes).
Individually and organizationally, we have had to adapt to current conditions in order to remain healthy. I think one of the positive lessons is that organizations have been forced to revisit practices and procedures and innovate. Those working in creative and entertainment fields are trained to innovate and think creatively. In 2004, Daniel Pink argued that the MFA (Master of Fine Arts) is the new MBA in the New York Times. Speaking to an audience at the University of Virginia Darden School of Business in December 2018, Pink observed:
I think the data and analytics skills have become much more important than they were 13 years ago, but you still have to have those artistic skills," Pink said, adding that the artistic trait of composition was critical all manner of business endeavors. (DardenVirginia)