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Marketing manager/graphic designer job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected marketing manager/graphic designer job growth rate is 3% from 2018-2028.
About 6,800 new jobs for marketing managers/graphic designer are projected over the next decade.
Marketing manager/graphic designer salaries have increased 12% for marketing managers/graphic designer in the last 5 years.
There are over 71,237 marketing managers/graphic designer currently employed in the United States.
There are 114,969 active marketing manager/graphic designer job openings in the US.
The average marketing manager/graphic designer salary is $92,445.
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 71,237 | 0.02% |
| 2020 | 70,329 | 0.02% |
| 2019 | 75,388 | 0.02% |
| 2018 | 76,044 | 0.02% |
| 2017 | 75,821 | 0.02% |
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $92,445 | $44.44 | +2.4% |
| 2024 | $90,245 | $43.39 | +3.5% |
| 2023 | $87,232 | $41.94 | +3.4% |
| 2022 | $84,340 | $40.55 | +2.2% |
| 2021 | $82,504 | $39.67 | +1.6% |
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 246 | 35% |
| 2 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 348 | 26% |
| 3 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 1,180 | 21% |
| 4 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 1,712 | 20% |
| 5 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 1,003 | 18% |
| 6 | Maine | 1,335,907 | 236 | 18% |
| 7 | South Dakota | 869,666 | 157 | 18% |
| 8 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 104 | 18% |
| 9 | Georgia | 10,429,379 | 1,777 | 17% |
| 10 | Connecticut | 3,588,184 | 605 | 17% |
| 11 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 318 | 17% |
| 12 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 130 | 17% |
| 13 | North Carolina | 10,273,419 | 1,609 | 16% |
| 14 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 956 | 16% |
| 15 | Wisconsin | 5,795,483 | 842 | 15% |
| 16 | Pennsylvania | 12,805,537 | 1,843 | 14% |
| 17 | Kansas | 2,913,123 | 414 | 14% |
| 18 | Alaska | 739,795 | 104 | 14% |
| 19 | Washington | 7,405,743 | 954 | 13% |
| 20 | Oregon | 4,142,776 | 529 | 13% |
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Boston | 1 | 0% | $101,633 |
| 2 | Charlotte | 1 | 0% | $79,539 |
Arcadia University
Memphis College of Art
Stonehill College
Pennsylvania College of Technology
University of Akron
Kean University
Louisiana State University at Shreveport
Texas Woman's University
University of Akron
Saint Xavier University
Arkansas State University
The Illinois Institute of Art-Schaumburg
Lehigh University
Tiffany Prater: As we emerge from the pandemic, it's crucial to hone your communication skills, particularly in areas such as presenting your design ideas, collaborating with team members, and effectively communicating with clients. This will not only build your confidence but also help you communicate your thought processes and informed design solutions, be open to correction and criticism, and gather experience while working with senior graphic designers, creative directors, and clients.
Tiffany Prater: Never stop learning because life never stops teaching. This quote by Kirill Korshikov rings true for new designers, who must know the latest trends and tools to be uniquely creative, improve their skills, and land a better design job. Knowledge and inspiration can come from anywhere and everywhere in our daily lives.
Tiffany Prater: There are several ways to maximize your salary potential. If you have the time to pick up a few night classes on top of your job, take courses in either Art Direction, Copywriting, Photography, UX/UI design, Social, or Strategic planning. If you'd like to take a break from the private sector, getting a Master of Fine Arts degree is even better as it can lead to higher design jobs and teaching positions.
Christian Patchell: There is a ton of opportunity and burgeoning markets opening up every day. We discuss this in my classes. The landscape of the arts changes at a faster pace than ever, but change doesn’t happen in a vacuum. With each new evolution there comes new opportunities. For example, many of my students find themselves interested in UX/UI. This is an area with a lot of opportunity for a new Designer but only if there is a passion for the Market. Even though this is a field first identified in the early 90s, I’d say that in the last decade or so it really has hit the Design World hard. This doesn’t mean that designing for print has to take a back seat. Print is more popular than ever in terms of designing and creating objects (books, packaging, etc.) that many of us refer to as art objects, interactive objects, or objects of influence. Telling a good story through the design of an object is pushing Graphic Design into wonderful areas and is really starting to connect with audiences on entirely new levels. Don’t let the articles listing the “Top 10 Majors at Universities” or the “25 Most Popular Jobs” fool you, Art and Design are more relevant and more important than ever before.
Christian Patchell: A Graphic Designer will do a number of things every day. Often, there may be a beginning of the week meeting, this could be a team meeting or a one-on-one with the Art Director, Art Manager, or Senior Designer. So many of my students are finding remote employment, that makes these meetings (via Zoom or Skype) even more important. Also, there is now an added importance to Designers being good communicators, not just to other creative individuals but to additional areas outside of Design, such as Marketing, Sales, etc. Designers need to be able to speak to and/or hear input from various areas as they move through designing for a brief. Usually these meetings will sum up the week behind and the week ahead. A good Director will also be able to see where a team member might need assistance to finish something or is awaiting approval. When I worked in the Greeting Card industry these meetings not only mapped out the weeks’ worth of card design but also determined the larger picture such as planning a line of cards or an ad campaign. As a Designer, it was useful to see the smaller picture and the bigger picture as we moved forward as a team. A day to day an entry level Designer may be asked to assist in many areas with different skill sets for each. They could be proofing copy, laying out text, correcting bad links on a site or app. as well as designing an entire project from the ground up. It all depends on their area of expertise or the market in which they find themselves. My advice to those starting in Graphic Design is to “have many legs under the table of their career,” meaning: it’s a good idea to know a lot about multiple aspects of the Design Market. This is especially helpful for someone starting out, as it keeps many avenues open on the journey ahead as well as allowing for changes in the market or technology that may redirect one’s trajectory.
Christian Patchell: Oddly, what most people like and dislike are the same thing. Designers many times stand at a starting point, the line where technology and art merge into something beautiful and engaging. We are early adopters, curious where the digital and traditional merge into something new or different. Making something “new” and “different” over and over again can be a difficult climb. But if you are someone with a wealth of ideas and likes to solve problems creatively, the challenge of Graphic Design may be right for you. The other side of that coin is technology. A Graphic Designer needs to stay current on emerging technologies while maintaining an eye on trends and changes in the culture. While in school it is quite easy to stay up to date on programs that are the industry standards (Adobe Publishing Suite, Figma, etc.) it can be more difficult to do this once you have graduated. As a teaching professional I try to keep my skill set current on an annual basis (sometimes shorter) so I can be of service to my students and relevant in my field. As a Graphic Designer if you do your job right, no one may really see it. However, if you do it wrong in even the slightest way, everyone might see it. At the end of the day though there is nothing quite like seeing your design out in the wild. Whether part of a team or as an individual, a Graphic Designer is given an opportunity to share their work, their art, with an extremely large audience and instigate change while creating something personal and telling a good story. That feeling of accomplishment, for me at least, outweighs any cons there might be in this creative field.
Lucas Charles: As graphic design graduates embark on their careers, nurturing curiosity, continuous upskilling, networking, and collaboration are pivotal. Embracing curiosity sparks innovation, while ongoing learning ensures relevance in a fast-paced industry. Building connections fosters opportunities, and collaboration cultivates dynamic work environments.
Lucas Charles: To maximize their salary potential, graphic design graduates should focus on key strategies. Building a diverse portfolio showcases skills, while cultivating a professional network opens doors to higher-paying opportunities. Continuous upskilling ensures competitiveness, and confident negotiation of fair compensation based on expertise enhances earning potential.
Lucas Charles: In the ever-changing field of graphic design, adaptability, digital fluency, and understanding user experience are becoming more crucial. Embracing new and emerging technologies, prioritizing empathy, and fostering a mindset of lifelong learning are paramount for success.
Kristin McGillicuddy: A marketing specialist is often an entry-level position on a marketing team and would be responsible for a wide range of tasks, which is helpful in gaining exposure and experience. Sometimes a Marketing Specialist will actually “specialize” in one particular area like social media or advertising. In other organizations, the role involves working across multiple areas. On a daily basis, the Marketing Specialist will help plan, develop, and execute marketing projects, conduct research and analyze data to ensure the plan for a campaign is sound, assist in planning and executing presentations and events, and collaborate with cross-functional teams like sales. A person in this role takes direction from more senior and seasoned marketers which provides excellent learning opportunities on a daily basis, and the Marketing Specialist will typically play a greater role and enjoy more responsibility on projects as they learn in the field.
Kathryn Anderson: Some of the day-to-day duties of a graphic designer entail some basic skills such as the following: listen attentively; engage in and interpret research (visual, text-driven, data-based, etc.); problem-solve; process and critique creative ideas; use technology in an ethical and appropriate manner; prepare digital and other work/files for printing and/or the web; and revamp concepts as per the client’s wishes.
Kathryn Anderson: A Graphic Designer’s work-life is rather sedentary and repetitive. However, any astute employer will encourage a bit of exercise and play throughout the course of the day to keep their team focused and happy. Other downsides might be: fast deadlines or short turn-arounds, insufficient communication from a client, and mandatory overtime hours. Mostly, the benefits out-weight the negatives. In today’s virtual world, more designers can and do work remotely or in hybrid environments—which is a plus for those who have child-care or other familial responsibilities.
Kathryn Anderson: With the advent of AI, graphic designers must be valued for their technical and critical thinking skills. Graphic Designers of today provide more than just what the client wants or envisions, but rather a uniquely hyper-focused solution that can stand the test of time because of the insightful research and intense amount of processing and editing that is embedded in the design.
Dr. Gulay Guzel PhD: Maximizing salary potential at the outset of one's marketing career requires strategic considerations. Marketing is inherently interdisciplinary, drawing from fields such as psychology, sociology, anthropology, and data science. Graduates should first identify their specialization within the marketing realm, whether it's in market research, product design, pricing strategy, or another area. Next, they should articulate what sets them apart from other candidates and highlight additional value they bring to the table. Realism is key when setting salary expectations; candidates should conduct thorough industry research to inform negotiations. Additionally, leveraging diverse experiences gained from internships and coursework to bolster their applications can significantly enhance their bargaining power.
David Flynn: Everything that you see has been touched by a designer. The field is expanding with technology, but basic communication design principals remain paramount. It doesn’t matter if it’s a newspaper ad or a social post, you must have a professional that knows how to communicate a message, move the viewer's eye, and make the point. Designers work in every company and in every industry, worldwide.
David Flynn: They like that it can be very lucrative, so rewarding when you see your work in the world, nothing like it really. Downside is that “creativity on demand” is difficult to sustain and you have to purpose to take care of your creative soul.
David Flynn: We spend our day creating items that need to communicate a message clearly and quickly to a person or public. Information, directions, product benefits, packaging, events, advertising, anything and everything is designed to inform.
Dr. Denise Anderson: When mentoring students in developing their final portfolios and preparing them for professional practice I ask them “What makes you stand out above the line” or simply put, what separates you from all the other designers looking for a job. This could be prestigious internships, knowing motion or 3D rendering skills and then I tell them to promote their strengths. For example, my student Myesha Bennett spent four years in the Navy to pay for college. What she learned along the way shaped her as the designer she is today and these lessons made her stand above the line.
Dr. Denise Anderson: The skills graphic designers will need is learn artificial intelligence software AND how to masterfully use it. The masses will tinker with the new technology but designers need to harness the power of it and use their learned skills of ideation, art direction, and image manipulation skills (Photoshop). What they also need to develop is their storytelling skills which will help them with art directing and creating AI images.
Dr. Denise Anderson: Similar to question 1, leverage what you have done prior to entering the field. It takes my students 6-8 weeks to complete their resumes and personal because the image and content needs to be authentic. Perception is a lot in our field and I train students to feel confident about themselves. Portfolios get students an interview but they need to communicate their value to get hired.
Barrie Silver M.Ed.: Be nimble! Marketing is a fast-paced, ever-changing field and marketers need to be able to keep up. I encourage my students to take a variety of courses -- both in school and online -- and do as many internships as they can. For example, students in my 'Strategic Online Community Management' class are expected to complete social media certifications from HubSpot or Meta. Students in my 'Integrated Marketing and Communication' class work with local businesses and nonprofits to develop comprehensive integrated marketing campaigns. Along with our other coursework, this gives them hands-on, real-world experience -- and may also give them a leg up on other candidates when they start their job search.
Allen Garcie MFA: I would tell a new graduate to begin replacing the student work in their portfolio with real-world projects as soon as possible. Sure, student work can be creative but, depending on the course it's created for, there could be other competing graduates using similar projects in their portfolios. To find real-world work, I recommend students begin looking for freelance work to gain experience working with clients. A great place to start is with local businesses. Many times, local business owners need a logo, website, flyers, etc. to promote their businesses and a new graduate can gain some great experience by working with them. I also recommend new graduates join a professional organization, such as the American Advertising Federation (AAF), so they can meet others in the field. This is a great way of developing professional relationships (People hire who they know!) and getting to know about jobs that are available.
Allen Garcie MFA: One way that a new graduate can maximize their earning potential is by gaining professional experience as soon as possible. Freelance work is a great way to do this! Another way is for a new graduate to work towards earning a field-specific professional certificate (For example, both the American Institute for Graphic Arts [AIGA] and the American Marketing Association [AMA] offer these.), a software-related certification (Adobe and Autodesk offer these.), or an advanced degree (Such as an MA or MFA.). While gaining employment in the design field is primarily related to your portfolio and related experience, additional credentials can still make you more competitive.
Allen Garcie MFA: On the technical side, software is always evolving so skills related to this are always important. However, I think keeping up with advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) is going to be most important for designers over the next 3 to 5 years. This is an area that's already changing the design field as companies like Adobe and others continue to integrate AI into their software. On the other hand, being a designer isn't all about developing technology-related skills though. I also think developing non-technical skills like creativity, collaboration, and adaptability are extremely important for any designer.
Len Hostetter: Proficiency and comfort with business data analytics skills is a must. This is foundational to business and marketing. Marketing has become very data driven. Additionally, understanding Artificial Intelligence (AI), being comfortable using it, and understanding how it will impact your work in the future. Some work will be eliminated, other work transformed. Finally, the ability to communicate, both orally and in writing.
Texas Woman's University
Business/Commerce
Dr. Pushkala Raman Ph.D.: Communication will continue to be the most important skill required of anyone irrespective of the time period.
Currently, a new graduate in the field of marketing needs to be skilled with social media, demonstrate AI tools proficiency and have strong data analytic skills. Given the rapidly evolving landscape with respect to AI, social media and digital marketing, it is hard to predict what technologies will be in use five years from now. This is why agility is going to a much required trait. Agility in an individual is the ability to take on new challenges, willingness to learn and adapt to new technologies, and be prepared to operate beyond the comfort zone of one's role in the organization.
Jason Bronner: After developing strong design skills, it is important to focus on developing public speaking and listening skills for working with clients and colleagues. Making connections with clients, through effective listening and speaking skills, will improve salary potential. Working directly with clients, presenting to and teaching them about good design is crucial for maximizing salary potential.
Jason Bronner: It is ok to take a position in design that is not your ideal position. Learn what you can from that position and keep looking toward your ideal. Additionally, consider an unpaid internship in a dream/ideal position on a limited term basis to learn more about the company/specific job while also showcasing what value you bring to the company. Sometimes, helping the employer understand what a great employee and contributor to the team you are is most important. Focus on making connections with clients, through effective listening and speaking skills, to improve salary potential.
Jason Bronner: With an increasing number of tools including Artificial Intelligence, interpersonal skills will grow in importance for designers. Connecting with the client is already integral and will remain so.
Sydney Chinchanachokchai: Make your profile/resume more marketable by start building them early. Seek high quality internships that will give you skills and knowledge you need for your ideal jobs. Have a couple of internships before you graduate but also focus on quality over quantity. Get involve in extracurricular activities or take leadership roles/be active in student organizations. These experiences will give you something to discuss with future employers during interviews. Hence, maximizing the chance of getting hired and salary potential.
Sydney Chinchanachokchai: Marketing is a field that is always evolving. Your learning does not stop after you graduate from college. Most employers do not expect you to know everything, but they expect you to be willing to learn new tools, systems, and technologies. More importantly, they expect you to be coachable. So, stay hungry and curious.
Saint Xavier University
English Language And Literature/Letters
Gina Rossetti PhD: For students with majors in English, I would encourage them to focus on pathways to careers long before graduation. First, what are the students passionate about, and how might these passions lead to internships? How might the students also enroll in courses that stretch the English major, such as courses in marketing, allowing them to transfer their abilities to write persuasively and do so by focusing on a professional audience.
Nikki Arnell MFA: People like that being a graphic designer allows them to be creative for a living, with regular pay and benefits. However, the constant revisions and critiques on creative work can be challenging, and designers must learn to balance their artistic vision with client feedback and project objectives.
Nikki Arnell MFA: Generally, a graphic designer is a visual problem-solver and liaison between client and consumer. They spend most of their day creating designs, attending meetings, and organizing and communicating with team members. Each day is dynamic and exciting in the graphic design field.
Nikki Arnell MFA: Job flexibility is a key reason why Graphic Design is a good profession to enter now. A graphic designer can have various job titles and work in different settings, providing opportunities for freelance work or full-time positions. Having a strong portfolio is more important than a job title for future job prospects.
The Illinois Institute of Art-Schaumburg
Graphic Communications
Eric Benson: You have to work your way up to maximize your potential. However, to begin, take a look at the salary guides for the cities you want to live in, so you have an idea of the possibilities. The more technology and skills you know/have, the more money could come your way.
Eric Benson: Take advantage of your network you created and already exists at your University/college. Your friends and faculty know people, so ask them for help connecting with others in your area of graphic design interest. In addition, be humble, but confident in yourself. Be nice to everyone and open to new conversations and opportunities you weren't planning on.
Eric Benson: As I'm answering this now, I'd have to acknowledge that AI tools will become more prevalent in graphic design. We should explore them in order to take ownership of them, so we don't lose our relevancy. In addition, sustainability within the field will continue to grow and be increasingly more important to have a knowledgebase in.
Deirdre Malacrea: In my role, I mentor numerous marketing students as they seek professional roles and prepare to enter the workforce. I advise them to approach their career by cultivating a mindset that prioritizes flexibility and learning. The field of marketing always embraces and fosters creativity and change in the form of new cultural trends, emerging techniques, and technology innovation. So, view the inevitable twists and turns ahead as part of a 'career adventure' that will stretch and grow one's capabilities. This process definitely will not be boring! The other mindset dimension that is related: be curious and ask questions. Do the research, talk to the customer, run the numbers. Don't make the easy assumptions. The winning ideas in marketing are creative concepts based on a foundation of truth.
Deirdre Malacrea: I would say to stretch as much as possible in those early roles. Raise a hand to do the hard thing, go to the conference out of town, call up a colleague to brainstorm on a project, agree to present to another department. By building a network and a varied base of experiences, entry-level employees demonstrate their desire to add value. On a practical level, I recommend young marketers getting some experience with selling and/or working with a sales team. In my time at Pepsi, I did a stint in the National Accounts department. Having the ability to see and influence how revenue is generated opened my eyes to being more effective in later marketing roles. Realistically, if that first employer does not invest in developing the person's skills after doing all that, feel comfortable to tap into one's personal network to explore next steps and bring skills to the next setting.
Jennifer D'Angelo PhD: The ever-changing landscape of consumer trends and technological advancements in how to market to consumers often makes the job exciting and fast-paced. However, with the increased emphasis on results, marketers must be conscious of how to measure and demonstrate the value of their work.
Jennifer D'Angelo PhD: Brands across many product categories are facing an increasing level of competition. Brands may struggle with rising brand parity, where brands and their competitors are seen as similar to one another. Therefore, to stand out from competitors, it has become increasingly important for brands to have marketing managers that create value for consumers and communicate that value to consumers.
Jennifer D'Angelo PhD: A marketing manager is often responsible for planning and implementing a marketing plan. What this marketing plan encompasses can vary, as marketing involves many different things such as branding, product development, sales, advertising, digital and social media, and retailing.
Mario Schulzke: Marketing is about people. There is no formula for being great at marketing, but there is a formula for coding, being an accountant, and preparing a P&L. In the mid-to-long term, AI can handle all those formula-based tasks. Marketing will be the last to go when it comes to being replaced by a machine. Also, it's actually a fun field.