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The differences between publication specialists and graphic design specialists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become a publication specialist, becoming a graphic design specialist takes usually requires 6-12 months. Additionally, a graphic design specialist has an average salary of $55,925, which is higher than the $55,554 average annual salary of a publication specialist.
The top three skills for a publication specialist include technical publications, powerpoint and technical manuals. The most important skills for a graphic design specialist are graphic design, adobe creative suite, and visualization.
| Publication Specialist | Graphic Design Specialist | |
| Yearly salary | $55,554 | $55,925 |
| Hourly rate | $26.71 | $26.89 |
| Growth rate | 8% | 3% |
| Number of jobs | 27,008 | 49,055 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 70% | Bachelor's Degree, 68% |
| Average age | 42 | 38 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 12 |
A publication specialist is responsible for assisting in publishing operations and supervising distribution processes accordingly. Publication specialists inspect the quality of materials before printing, such as verifying information, proofreading contents, and ensuring that the style meets the standard requirements and business guidelines. They may also handle the company's social media presence to attract the audience by posting publication updates and engaging captions. A publication specialist must have excellent communication and organizational skills, especially in handling press releases, media communications, and writing sales reports.
A graphic design specialist utilizes their artistic expertise in creating imagery and designs that convey a particular message. Their responsibilities revolve around liaising with clients to determine their needs and goals, developing concepts and subjecting it for client approval, and revising designs as necessary. In a company setting, a graphic design specialist may work with a team, coordinating with them while sticking to budgets and deadlines. Furthermore, as a team member, it is essential to report to managers or supervisors, all while adhering to the company's policies and regulations.
Publication specialists and graphic design specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Publication Specialist | Graphic Design Specialist | |
| Average salary | $55,554 | $55,925 |
| Salary range | Between $36,000 And $84,000 | Between $38,000 And $80,000 |
| Highest paying City | Washington, DC | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | Washington | Washington |
| Best paying company | Meta | Berkshire Hathaway |
| Best paying industry | - | Technology |
There are a few differences between a publication specialist and a graphic design specialist in terms of educational background:
| Publication Specialist | Graphic Design Specialist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 70% | Bachelor's Degree, 68% |
| Most common major | Communication | Graphic Design |
| Most common college | Stanford University | University of Pennsylvania |
Here are the differences between publication specialists' and graphic design specialists' demographics:
| Publication Specialist | Graphic Design Specialist | |
| Average age | 42 | 38 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 35.6% Female, 64.4% | Male, 50.0% Female, 50.0% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 10.1% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 11.9% Asian, 5.3% White, 67.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6% | 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 | 12% | 13% |