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What does a graphic designer do, and at what level is a graphic designer salary?

A graphic designer works hard for a salary. In an aesthetic or visual society, a graphic designer holds important skills.

Designers help create brands, giving value to products.

Using computer technology, a designer creates a visual image, which will be easily recognizable, attract attention and express meaning.

Once these images have been created, they may be used to create templates for magazine adverts, brochures, products, business reports or websites.

Design work can be carried out both by computer and by hand. A graphic designer often works from an office, using a computer or drafting table. Work is often fast-paced and deadline driven, and designers work long hours. Most specialize in a couple of areas such as web design, print, poster design or logo design and branding.

What skills does a graphic designer need to have?

A graphic designer does not necessarily need to have a specific education, although many hold undergraduate degrees from an arts institution. Graphic designers need knowledge of colour, balance, and composition, as well as an aesthetic eye in order to implement these processes.

Good communication skills assist the designer to negotiate with clients, as well as transform a client’s ideas into imagery that an audience will relate to. A graphic designer will also need to have technical skills to be able to use computer-related software such as Adobe Illustrator or InDesign.

Average salary for a graphic designer based on figures from May 2011

With all the skills a graphic designer needs, what is the average annual salary a graphic designer makes? Graphic designers salaries have changed over the last few year, but according to data from the Bureau of Labour Statistics, recorded in May 2011, a computer graphics designer earned an average salary of $48, 690.

The median or midpoint of a graphic designer’s salary was $44,010 per year, or $21,16 per hour. A senior graphic designer’s salary was $77,370 per year, on average, while a junior graphic designer’s salary was $26,210 per year.

This salary was for those in the lowest 10%, and therefore represents a graphic designer’s starting salary. Figures have changed over the last six year, with salaries showing positive growth.

However, a graphic designer salary does not simply depend on seniority or experience. There are various criteria which impact on how much a graphic designer makes. These criteria include:

Industry

What a graphic designer does, or the industry he works in often determines the salary he will earn. Graphic designers employed to do computer work by the Federal Executive Branch often earned an annual wage of $75,750, according to the BLS. This was the highest paying industry.

Other industries in which graphic designers earn top annual salaries include amusement parks and arcades ($65,980 per year), the finance industry (65,650) aerospace products and parts manufacturing ($64,800), and film and video industries ($64,350).

Area or Location

Area or position is another factor which impacts on graphic designer’s salaries. Designers who work in urban areas often make more than their suburban colleagues. In 2011, the District of Columbia offered the highest average salary for graphic designers ($66,030 per year).

Other areas which paid a higher than average graphic designer salary include New York ($59,580 per year), California ($57,140 per year), Connecticut ($54,530 per year), and Virginia ($53,950 per year).

When exploring a graphic designer salary, however, it is important to take into consideration how this relates to the cost of living in a specific location. A designer who earns a lower salary in a more affordable area may still be considered to be earning a salary that provides a good quality of life. This is, therefore, an important consideration when considering graphic designer’s salaries.

Experience in determining a graphic designer salary

When looking at how much a graphic designer makes, experience has to be taken into account. In the graphic design industry, experience pays, as this helps a designer to build up a portfolio. However, it is not only developing skills that assist with earning a higher income.

A junior graphic designer salary will be lower than an experienced designer because the more clients you work with, the greater the number of recommendations you will receive. This assists designers with building a reputation. This is particularly true for freelance graphic designers.

Future Outlook for Graphic Designers

With increased access to the internet, the need for content, and the move to an information age, where there is an increase in fast internet and electronic communication devices such as computers or tablets, the number of jobs for graphic designers was estimated to grow by 61% between 2010 and 2020.

This is a higher than average job growth. Job increases are still industry dependent, however. Jobs in computer systems design will have the fastest growth rate, while jobs in the advertising industry will show the lowest increases.

How much does a graphic designer make in the United States?

Although some graphic designers are able to work well, and with high profile clients, others spend a great deal of time working but do not necessarily earn well. Income depends on industry, location, education and years of experience. However, there are general estimates which help to create a guideline for how much a graphic designer should be making, based on experience.

According to the starting salary survey published by the Creative Group, junior graphic designers who are just out of college, and who have a degree in art, design, computer design or a related subject, often have starting salaries ranging from $37,250 to $63,000 per year, while graphic designers with three to five years experience are making $48,750 to $68,000 per year.

Designers with over five years of experience often make over $83,250 per year.

PayScale.com showed designers earnings as follows: junior designers with less than five years experience earned $24,652 – $52,205. Designers who had between five and ten years experience earned $29,315-$61,718. Designers with ten to twenty years of experience earned $30,609- $71,995 and those with twenty years of experience or more earned $31,093-$85,024.

How does employment impact on how much a graphic designer makes?

Designers who worked in-house earned the most, with salaries as high as $84,000. Freelancers often earned around $73,000. Those who work for advertising agencies or education companies earned $20,000 less than the rest, with $60,611 – $63,900 on average. Designers working for the government earned the least, reaching $56,000 per year.

Working with high profile clients

Designers who work with high profile clients enable them to request higher rates. In addition, high-end brands often want excellent designers and are willing to pay for the experience. Designers who work for prestigious companies are able to develop an excellent reputation.

Ending thoughts on a graphic designer’s salary

Salaries have shown a positive increase for graphic designers over recent years. A graphic designer salary varies according to industry, location, and experience.

Junior graphic designers earn a lower salary than senior graphic designers. This means that with experience, there is space to expand and to improve quality of life.

In most locations, graphic designers are offered salaries which provide a living wage, offering the opportunity for a satisfying career, without financial stress. This is good news for those considering a career in design.

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