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The differences between multimedia specialists and design specialists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 1-2 years to become a multimedia specialist, becoming a design specialist takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a design specialist has an average salary of $56,917, which is higher than the $52,299 average annual salary of a multimedia specialist.
The top three skills for a multimedia specialist include video production, graphic design and photography. The most important skills for a design specialist are customer service, sketch, and CAD.
| Multimedia Specialist | Design Specialist | |
| Yearly salary | $52,299 | $56,917 |
| Hourly rate | $25.14 | $27.36 |
| Growth rate | 5% | 1% |
| Number of jobs | 21,798 | 68,347 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 72% | Bachelor's Degree, 62% |
| Average age | 40 | 42 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 4 |
A multimedia specialist is in charge of developing multimedia and visual materials according to project and program needs. They typically work together with a company's creative team where they are responsible for performing research and analysis, understanding the purpose of projects, conceptualizing plans, identifying market trends, preparing samples for client approval, and developing strategies to optimize operations. Furthermore, as a multimedia specialist, it is essential to adhere to project timelines and budgets, including the company's policies and regulations.
A design specialist is responsible for creating engaging visual images and digital content to improve customers' brand awareness about the organization's products and services. Design specialists may also work for media production, creating graphic animations for viewers depending on production requirements and media demands. A design specialist must have excellent knowledge of utilizing various software tools and programs, coordinating with the whole design team on adjusting plans, improving layouts according to budget limitations, and submitting deliverables within the set deadlines.
Multimedia specialists and design specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Multimedia Specialist | Design Specialist | |
| Average salary | $52,299 | $56,917 |
| Salary range | Between $38,000 And $71,000 | Between $35,000 And $91,000 |
| Highest paying City | Newport, RI | Menlo Park, CA |
| Highest paying state | Connecticut | New York |
| Best paying company | Gap Inc. | BP America Inc |
| Best paying industry | Technology | - |
There are a few differences between a multimedia specialist and a design specialist in terms of educational background:
| Multimedia Specialist | Design Specialist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 72% | Bachelor's Degree, 62% |
| Most common major | Communication | Graphic Design |
| Most common college | University of Pennsylvania | Cornell University |
Here are the differences between multimedia specialists' and design specialists' demographics:
| Multimedia Specialist | Design Specialist | |
| Average age | 40 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 71.3% Female, 28.7% | Male, 55.1% Female, 44.9% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 4.4% Unknown, 5.6% Hispanic or Latino, 14.4% Asian, 7.7% White, 67.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6% | Black or African American, 1.5% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 7.6% Asian, 4.6% White, 82.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 11% | 23% |