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The differences between layout designers and visual 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 layout designer and a visual designer. Additionally, a layout designer has an average salary of $94,509, which is higher than the $86,495 average annual salary of a visual designer.
The top three skills for a layout designer include CAD, CMOS and layout design. The most important skills for a visual designer are sketch, visual design, and graphic design.
| Layout Designer | Visual Designer | |
| Yearly salary | $94,509 | $86,495 |
| Hourly rate | $45.44 | $41.58 |
| Growth rate | 3% | 3% |
| Number of jobs | 43,997 | 46,815 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 57% | Bachelor's Degree, 75% |
| Average age | 38 | 38 |
| Years of experience | 12 | 12 |
A layout designer is responsible for designing and creating attractive layouts for publications and marketing materials. Layout designers utilize various software design applications and systems, requiring them to have excellent computer skills for efficient navigation. They work closely with the whole design and graphic teams for content consistency and adherence to quality standards and requirements. A layout designer evaluates the current market trends to identify media elements and modify designs that meet public demands and interests.
A visual designer is someone who creates designs for a variety of platforms such as Internet and intranet sites, games, and wearables. The duties of visual designers depend on the specific project or industry in which they are working. Duties include creating user-centered interaction models, working with information technology and business teams to resolve complex issues, and designing logos, icons, and infographics. The qualifications to become a visual designer include possessing strong problem-solving, communication, and negotiation skills and obtaining a bachelor's degree in design.
Layout designers and visual designers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Layout Designer | Visual Designer | |
| Average salary | $94,509 | $86,495 |
| Salary range | Between $59,000 And $149,000 | Between $51,000 And $143,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | San Bruno, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | Apple | ByteDance |
| Best paying industry | - | Start-up |
There are a few differences between a layout designer and a visual designer in terms of educational background:
| Layout Designer | Visual Designer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 57% | Bachelor's Degree, 75% |
| Most common major | Graphic Design | Graphic Design |
| Most common college | University of Pennsylvania | University of Pennsylvania |
Here are the differences between layout designers' and visual designers' demographics:
| Layout Designer | Visual Designer | |
| Average age | 38 | 38 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 60.0% Female, 40.0% | Male, 53.1% Female, 46.9% |
| 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% |