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Media manager vs graphic designer

The differences between media managers and graphic designers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 8-10 years to become a media manager, becoming a graphic designer takes usually requires 6-12 months. Additionally, a media manager has an average salary of $96,475, which is higher than the $49,450 average annual salary of a graphic designer.

The top three skills for a media manager include digital marketing, kpis and media planning. The most important skills for a graphic designer are adobe creative suite, adobe photoshop, and adobe illustrator.

Media manager vs graphic designer overview

Media ManagerGraphic Designer
Yearly salary$96,475$49,450
Hourly rate$46.38$23.77
Growth rate10%3%
Number of jobs110,88845,625
Job satisfaction-5
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 81%Bachelor's Degree, 68%
Average age3938
Years of experience1012

What does a media manager do?

Media managers oversee the department that works on the different communication needs of the company. They execute the communications strategies of the company. They are expected to be updated with the current trends on media platforms. They should also be very familiar with the company and are attuned to the company's brand and image so that they can create relevant communications campaigns. Media managers oversee content creation on different media platforms. They manage the research related to the content they are working on. They develop materials and ensure that these materials are engaging and relatable to the target audience.

What does a graphic designer do?

Graphic designers are visual communicators who create graphic ideas to deliver a message through art and images which inspire, inform, and motivate consumers with the use of computer software, especially Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign or by hand. They have the ability to design stunning illustrations that are easily understood, even without a lot of thinking or based on the demand of their clients. It is very crucial to them as well to be flexible and to stay on top of the design trends. They create websites, posters, packaging, logos, advertising, and marketing materials, depending on the nature of the business.

Media manager vs graphic designer salary

Media managers and graphic designers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Media ManagerGraphic Designer
Average salary$96,475$49,450
Salary rangeBetween $66,000 And $140,000Between $34,000 And $69,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CAWashington, DC
Highest paying statePennsylvaniaMassachusetts
Best paying companyMetaMeta
Best paying industryAutomotiveTechnology

Differences between media manager and graphic designer education

There are a few differences between a media manager and a graphic designer in terms of educational background:

Media ManagerGraphic Designer
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 81%Bachelor's Degree, 68%
Most common majorCommunicationGraphic Design
Most common collegeUniversity of GeorgiaUniversity of Pennsylvania

Media manager vs graphic designer demographics

Here are the differences between media managers' and graphic designers' demographics:

Media ManagerGraphic Designer
Average age3938
Gender ratioMale, 51.7% Female, 48.3%Male, 49.8% Female, 50.2%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 3.0% Unknown, 5.3% Hispanic or Latino, 8.7% Asian, 8.2% White, 74.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%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 Percentage10%13%

Differences between media manager and graphic designer duties and responsibilities

Media manager example responsibilities.

  • Manage B2C media campaigns from inception to reporting.
  • Evaluate, select and manage relationships with PPC technology vendors.
  • Lead intranet and internet maintenance, content, development and marketing.
  • Execute vendor fund campaigns to achieve KPIs base on each individual brand s needs and drive ecommerce sales.
  • Utilize CRM software to maintain contacts, leads, ad sales, sales reports and advertisement run sheets.
  • Manage search engine optimization (SEO) and pay-per-click (PPC) advertising for several B2B and health care clients.
  • Show more

Graphic designer example responsibilities.

  • Lead the transition from paste-up, typesetting, pasting up page layout to digital ad/page building and web printing.
  • Design new template for magazine as well as ads, flyers, brochures, and cards for a variety of events.
  • Plan the development of a social networking site website using HTML, CSS, PHP, and a WordPress management system.
  • Compose and create daily advertisements for national automotive dealerships utilizing typography and design concepts while adhering to corporate brand standards.
  • Follow style guide requirements to maintain brand integrity with specific treatments of photography, typography, graphic elements and team/sponsor/arena logos.
  • Create UI kit for the website.
  • Show more

Media manager vs graphic designer skills

Common media manager skills
  • Digital Marketing, 19%
  • KPIs, 5%
  • Media Planning, 4%
  • Media Management, 4%
  • PowerPoint, 4%
  • Google Analytics, 3%
Common graphic designer skills
  • Adobe Creative Suite, 6%
  • Adobe Photoshop, 6%
  • Adobe Illustrator, 6%
  • Typography, 5%
  • Brochures, 5%
  • Design Concepts, 5%

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