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The differences between social 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 social media manager, becoming a graphic designer takes usually requires 6-12 months. Additionally, a social media manager has an average salary of $70,287, which is higher than the $49,450 average annual salary of a graphic designer.
The top three skills for a social media manager include instagram, twitter and digital marketing. The most important skills for a graphic designer are adobe creative suite, adobe photoshop, and adobe illustrator.
| Social Media Manager | Graphic Designer | |
| Yearly salary | $70,287 | $49,450 |
| Hourly rate | $33.79 | $23.77 |
| Growth rate | 10% | 3% |
| Number of jobs | 105,475 | 45,625 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 5 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 79% | Bachelor's Degree, 68% |
| Average age | 39 | 38 |
| Years of experience | 10 | 12 |
Social media managers are responsible for representing the company's business through social media channels. They help the company grow by enhancing its presence via social networks. Primarily, they need to implement marketing plans and identify their target clients and create a content schedule. Their duties include implementing and strategizing digital marketing campaigns. They support the development of brand identity and promotional strategies. Candidates for the job must be excellent in communication skills, have in-depth knowledge of how social platforms work, and easily understand the target audience.
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.
Social media managers and graphic designers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Social Media Manager | Graphic Designer | |
| Average salary | $70,287 | $49,450 |
| Salary range | Between $50,000 And $98,000 | Between $34,000 And $69,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | Washington, DC |
| Highest paying state | Washington | Massachusetts |
| Best paying company | Microsoft | Meta |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Technology |
There are a few differences between a social media manager and a graphic designer in terms of educational background:
| Social Media Manager | Graphic Designer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 79% | Bachelor's Degree, 68% |
| Most common major | Communication | Graphic Design |
| Most common college | University of Georgia | University of Pennsylvania |
Here are the differences between social media managers' and graphic designers' demographics:
| Social Media Manager | Graphic Designer | |
| Average age | 39 | 38 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 38.9% Female, 61.1% | Male, 49.8% Female, 50.2% |
| Race ratio | Black 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 Percentage | 10% | 13% |