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The differences between lead designers and lead graphic 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 lead designer and a lead graphic designer. Additionally, a lead designer has an average salary of $110,001, which is higher than the $76,009 average annual salary of a lead graphic designer.
The top three skills for a lead designer include sketch, user experience and architecture. The most important skills for a lead graphic designer are adobe photoshop, graphic design, and design concepts.
| Lead Designer | Lead Graphic Designer | |
| Yearly salary | $110,001 | $76,009 |
| Hourly rate | $52.89 | $36.54 |
| Growth rate | 3% | 3% |
| Number of jobs | 45,423 | 46,260 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 5 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 64% | Bachelor's Degree, 66% |
| Average age | 38 | 38 |
| Years of experience | 12 | 12 |
A lead designer is responsible for addressing the clients' needs of digital content and coordinating with the design team for the planning and innovation of the visual design and concept. Lead designers conduct the initial layout of frameworks and collaborate with the art staff for the specifications and outputs using various software applications and digital boards. They regularly update the client of the project's status, including adjustment and design recommendations, ensuring that the plan meets the client's budget goals. A lead designer must have excellent communication and organizational skills, especially on running diagnostic tests to improve optimal performance.
A lead graphic designer is responsible for creating, designing, and updating the company's visual aspects. The lead graphic designer works closely with the branding department alongside the advertising and marketing team. It is essential for the lead graphic designer must be creative, willing to think outside the box, and brave to dare novel ideas. The lead graphic designer is also responsible for leading the creative department in accomplishing assigned tasks from management.
Lead designers and lead graphic designers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Lead Designer | Lead Graphic Designer | |
| Average salary | $110,001 | $76,009 |
| Salary range | Between $78,000 And $154,000 | Between $44,000 And $131,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | Airbnb | Netflix |
| Best paying industry | Start-up | Technology |
There are a few differences between a lead designer and a lead graphic designer in terms of educational background:
| Lead Designer | Lead Graphic Designer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 64% | Bachelor's Degree, 66% |
| Most common major | Graphic Design | Graphic Design |
| Most common college | University of Pennsylvania | University of Pennsylvania |
Here are the differences between lead designers' and lead graphic designers' demographics:
| Lead Designer | Lead Graphic Designer | |
| Average age | 38 | 38 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 73.2% Female, 26.8% | Male, 61.8% Female, 38.2% |
| 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% |