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The differences between senior graphic designers and graphic design specialists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 6-12 months to become both a senior graphic designer and a graphic design specialist. Additionally, a senior graphic designer has an average salary of $73,921, which is higher than the $55,925 average annual salary of a graphic design specialist.
The top three skills for a senior graphic designer include sketch, adobe creative suite and creative concepts. The most important skills for a graphic design specialist are graphic design, adobe creative suite, and visualization.
| Senior Graphic Designer | Graphic Design Specialist | |
| Yearly salary | $73,921 | $55,925 |
| Hourly rate | $35.54 | $26.89 |
| Growth rate | 3% | 3% |
| Number of jobs | 46,310 | 49,055 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 72% | Bachelor's Degree, 68% |
| Average age | 38 | 38 |
| Years of experience | 12 | 12 |
A senior graphic designer oversees all of the designing operations in a company, from conceptualization to production. One of their primary responsibilities is to ensure that all designs produced are according to a client's preference and brand. They also encourage fresh ideas from the team, communicate with clients or representatives, and manage the schedules to meet all deadlines. Furthermore, as a senior graphic designer, they are responsible for leading and mentoring a team of graphic designers, all in the joint effort to reach project goals.
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.
Senior graphic designers and graphic design specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Senior Graphic Designer | Graphic Design Specialist | |
| Average salary | $73,921 | $55,925 |
| Salary range | Between $51,000 And $105,000 | Between $38,000 And $80,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | Washington | Washington |
| Best paying company | Practice Fusion | Berkshire Hathaway |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Technology |
There are a few differences between a senior graphic designer and a graphic design specialist in terms of educational background:
| Senior Graphic Designer | Graphic Design Specialist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 72% | Bachelor's Degree, 68% |
| Most common major | Graphic Design | Graphic Design |
| Most common college | University of Pennsylvania | University of Pennsylvania |
Here are the differences between senior graphic designers' and graphic design specialists' demographics:
| Senior Graphic Designer | Graphic Design Specialist | |
| Average age | 38 | 38 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 53.2% Female, 46.8% | Male, 50.0% Female, 50.0% |
| 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% |