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The differences between graphics specialists and freelance designers 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 specialist and a freelance designer. Additionally, a freelance designer has an average salary of $57,260, which is higher than the $56,007 average annual salary of a graphics specialist.
The top three skills for a graphics specialist include graphic design, adobe illustrator and adobe photoshop. The most important skills for a freelance designer are sketch, CSS, and HTML.
| Graphics Specialist | Freelance Designer | |
| Yearly salary | $56,007 | $57,260 |
| Hourly rate | $26.93 | $27.53 |
| Growth rate | 3% | 3% |
| Number of jobs | 12,267 | 45,914 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 62% | Bachelor's Degree, 73% |
| Average age | 38 | 38 |
| Years of experience | 12 | 12 |
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.
Freelance designers are creative, independent contractors who create visual and graphic designs for their clients. They develop text and illustrated versions of brands, messages, and communications with strong visible influence with their clients. Typical activities include networking, seeking projects, and negotiating prices to their customers. They manage client proposals, develop concepts, present solutions, and ensure the timely completion of projects. Freelance visual and graphic designers are creative, self-motivated as well as result and deadline oriented.
Graphics specialists and freelance designers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Graphics Specialist | Freelance Designer | |
| Average salary | $56,007 | $57,260 |
| Salary range | Between $38,000 And $81,000 | Between $39,000 And $83,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | - |
| Highest paying state | Washington | - |
| Best paying company | ZeniMax Media | - |
| Best paying industry | Finance | - |
There are a few differences between a graphics specialist and a freelance designer in terms of educational background:
| Graphics Specialist | Freelance Designer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 62% | Bachelor's Degree, 73% |
| Most common major | Graphic Design | Graphic Design |
| Most common college | University of Pennsylvania | University of Pennsylvania |
Here are the differences between graphics specialists' and freelance designers' demographics:
| Graphics Specialist | Freelance Designer | |
| Average age | 38 | 38 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 53.4% Female, 46.6% | Male, 48.0% Female, 52.0% |
| 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% |