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The differences between head graphic designers and art directors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 6-12 months to become a head graphic designer, becoming an art director takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, an art director has an average salary of $88,367, which is higher than the $74,651 average annual salary of a head graphic designer.
The top three skills for a head graphic designer include graphic design, adobe photoshop and adobe illustrator. The most important skills for an art director are graphic design, art direction, and creative concepts.
| Head Graphic Designer | Art Director | |
| Yearly salary | $74,651 | $88,367 |
| Hourly rate | $35.89 | $42.48 |
| Growth rate | 3% | 4% |
| Number of jobs | 52,768 | 11,472 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 66% | Bachelor's Degree, 75% |
| Average age | 38 | 40 |
| Years of experience | 12 | 6 |
Head graphic designers and art directors have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Head Graphic Designer | Art Director | |
| Average salary | $74,651 | $88,367 |
| Salary range | Between $47,000 And $118,000 | Between $57,000 And $135,000 |
| Highest paying City | Washington, DC | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | Washington | Washington |
| Best paying company | Reality Check Systems | The Walt Disney Company |
| Best paying industry | - | Technology |
There are a few differences between a head graphic designer and an art director in terms of educational background:
| Head Graphic Designer | Art Director | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 66% | Bachelor's Degree, 75% |
| Most common major | Graphic Design | Graphic Design |
| Most common college | University of Pennsylvania | Harvard University |
Here are the differences between head graphic designers' and art directors' demographics:
| Head Graphic Designer | Art Director | |
| Average age | 38 | 40 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 58.4% Female, 41.6% | Male, 57.4% Female, 42.6% |
| 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, 4.4% Unknown, 5.6% Hispanic or Latino, 14.5% Asian, 7.8% White, 67.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6% |
| LGBT Percentage | 13% | 11% |