How To Become A Layout Artist: What It Is and Career Path

What is a layout artist and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

2 min read

Quoted expert

Paul Molnar

There is more than meets the eye when it comes to being a layout artist. For example, did you know that they make an average of $32.16 an hour? That's $66,888 a year! Between 2018 and 2028, the career is expected to grow 3% and produce 6,800 job opportunities across the U.S.

What general advice would you give to a layout artist?

Paul Molnar

Associate Professor of Theatre, Independence Community College

I believe that flexibility, out-of-the-box thinking, and passion will be required. The good news is, those things have always been required. The difference is, individuals will have to look to create their opportunities more aggressively. Looking at the challenges we all face as potential opportunities is a start, and understanding that we are all in this together will be essential. Also, I think that focusing on one's community will serve the artists well. Even during lock-downs and social distancing, people still need theatre and the arts. Create local art to help your local community.

ScoreLayout ArtistUS Average

Salary

5.2

Avg. Salary $66,888

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

4.2

Growth rate 3%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

4.5

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.37%

Asian 10.42%

Black or African American 3.42%

Hispanic or Latino 10.63%

Unknown 4.99%

White 70.17%

Gender

female 50.85%

male 49.15%

Age - 37

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 37

Stress level

4.2

Stress level is moderate

7.1 - high

Complexity level

8.5

Complexity level is advanced

7 - challenging

Work life balance

3.9

Work life balance is poor

6.4 - fair

Key steps to become a layout artist

Explore layout artist education requirements

Most common layout artist degrees

Bachelor's

62.7 %

Associate

27.5 %

High School Diploma

4.0 %

Start to develop specific layout artist skills

Skills	Percentages
Animation	16.51%
Adobe Photoshop	14.46%
Maya	13.42%
Adobe Illustrator	10.63%
Graphic Design	4.96%

Complete relevant layout artist training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 1-3 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New layout artists learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a layout artist based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real layout artist resumes.

Research layout artist duties and responsibilities

Manage online product catalog using Dreamweaver.
Typeset and design display advertisements for shopper newspaper.
Proofread advertisements for accuracy before sending to book building.
Utilize motion graphic and animation skills to release promotional content.

Prepare your layout artist resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your layout artist resume.

You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a layout artist resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

Choose from 10+ customizable layout artist resume templates

Build a professional layout artist resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your layout artist resume.

Apply for layout artist jobs

Now it's time to start searching for a layout artist job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

Browse job boards for relevant postings
Consult your professional network
Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
Watch out for job scams

How do layout artists rate their job?

-/5

5 stars

4 stars

3 stars

2 stars

1 star

Layout artist reviews

A zippia user wrote a review on Apr 2022

Cons

It’s hard work, it feels like you will not make it and you’re jumping from job to job sometimes every now and then but the goal is to not give up, everyone is more than capable of achieving the things they put their minds too. :)

A zippia user wrote a review on Jun 2019

Pros

Making stories. And proposing camera shots that enhances the story and character.