Graphic Design is a fast-moving, fun and rewarding career choice that gives you a wide variety of opportunities. Graphic Designers are employed by various mediums such as advertising agencies, graphic design studios, publishing and printing companies, television and movie production companies, software developers, fashion designers and boutiques.
The graphic design profession is a highly competitive and lucrative career. Step 1: Deciding on Your Specialization Skills are important, but what really sets designers apart from each other is their specialization. The design industry is extremely segmented, meaning if you have the skills to be good at one thing, you don’t necessarily have the skills to be good at another. And while some generalists exist, most graphic designers specialize in one or more of these areas: web design; print (graphics, typography and layout); multimedia production; identity systems; content creation/management; data visualization
Graphic designers often start out their careers making between $45,000 and $55,000 a year. For mid-level designers those salaries can rise up to $70,000 but it is still common for senior designers to make around $80,000-$100,000.
Starting Salaries For Graphic Designers Overview
The average salary for graphic designers in Nigeria is $2,600 per month, but it can vary depending on location and experience level.
To become a graphic designer, you need to have an understanding of both design and technology. You’ll also typically need to complete a bachelor’s degree program or certificate program in graphic design.
Graphic designers are responsible for creating visual material, including logos, ads, brochures, and other promotional material. They use computer software programs to create their designs and then turn them over to printers who will create large-scale versions of those designs.
An Introduction to a Career in Graphic Design
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, graphic designers are responsible for “developing visual concepts.” This definition might sound vague, but it’s because graphic design can cover many responsibilities.
As the name suggests, graphic designers create graphics. These can be physical or digital visual designs and illustrations that fulfill a specific need. Whenever you look at a billboard or product label, it was likely created by a graphic designer.
Depending on the client, you can have various graphic design projects. One common task is making logos for brands and small businesses. With the right design details, you can convey the client’s brand and message:
Graphic designers also select the colors, typography, images, and layout for websites. They often design visuals for social media posts and advertisements as well:
Since graphic designers have multiple responsibilities, they are involved in many industries. Here are some of the top sectors for graphic design:
- Advertising
- Web design
- User Experience (UX)
- Online and offline publications
Although you might work on some visual aspects of web design, you likely won’t have to implement code. You’ll usually work alongside a web developer familiar with front end or back end development.
If you want to become a graphic designer, there are many routes you can take. Whether you work for companies or freelance, you can find clients needing visual design services. As your career progresses, you may even end up in different industries than expected.
Job Requirements for a Graphic Designer
Before you launch a career in graphic design, it’s essential to know the skillset you’ll need in this career. Generally, graphic designers are familiar with software like Adobe Photoshop. This is a standard tool in the graphic design industry that you can use for any type of image editing:
InDesign is another popular graphic design software. You can use this desktop publishing application to create everything from posters to magazines:
Here are some additional software applications that graphic designers often use:
Learning about common UX practices is also a good idea if you’re planning on working in web design. It can also help to learn some basic programming languages to implement your visual ideas more effectively.
Furthermore, almost anyone can learn how to use design technology. Therefore, it can also be beneficial to have certain soft skills. If you are a creative and organized problem-solver, you’ll likely have what it takes to make engaging visual elements. You’ll probably work with a team of people, so you should also be communicative.
Most graphic designers earn an associate’s or bachelor’s degree in graphic design. Here’s what you can learn in these programs:
- 2D and 3D design
- Motion graphics
- Design and color fundamentals
- Web design, including HTML, CSS, and JavaScript
Related: How Much Does a Front End Developer Make?
However, you might not need a degree in graphic design. You can easily find job opportunities if you have relevant experience, a strong portfolio, and a familiarity with design software.
How Much Does a Graphic Designer Make in 2022?
Graphic designer salaries can vary based on several factors. However, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the mean annual wage for this career was $59,970 in 2021.
This data was collected from 204,040 graphic designers, excluding self-employed individuals. Of these professionals, the lowest percentile made $31,310 per year, while the highest earned $98,260.
According to Indeed, the average graphic designer salary in the United States is $58,965 annually or $21.86 per hour. The most common benefits of this career include a 401(k), health insurance, opportunities for advancement, and remote work:
On Glassdoor, there is a similar annual salary. For graphic designers, the base pay starts at $52,012 per year. With added cash bonuses and other benefits, the average graphic design salary is $94,158:
As you can see, it can be challenging to pinpoint the exact amount you’ll make as a graphic designer. Depending on your experience level and location, your income can be higher or lower than the national average.
How Experience Level Affects Graphic Design Salaries
If you have years of experience in graphic design, your salary can increase significantly. Like other jobs, employers will likely reward you for having extended knowledge in your field.
With more than ten years of experience, Indeed estimates you could make $69,404 annually. With only one or two years, this amount drops to $51,194. If you’ve been working less than one year, Indeed lists a salary of $48,815.
However, Salary.com lists a higher income for entry-level graphic designers. Without any work experience, the national average is $56,501 per year:
For an experienced position, this average increases by around $23k. According to Salary.com, senior graphic designers can expect to make an average salary of $79,602:
You’ll likely earn more as you become better acquainted with graphic design. Like any other job, your income should increase over the years.
How Location Affects Graphic Design Salaries
In the United States, graphic design salaries can vary based on your state. Using this graph of the annual mean wage from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, you can see if you’re living in a higher-paying location:
Some top-paying areas for graphic designers include Washington, D.C., Washington state, New York, and Massachusetts. These locations have an average annual mean wage of over $70k.
You might also consider moving to a top-paying metropolitan area to make more as a graphic designer. The San Jose – Sunnyvale – Santa Clara area pays an average annual salary of $85, 310:
How much does a Junior Graphic Designer make?
Junior graphic designers make $44,270 per year on average, or $21.28 per hour, in the United States. Junior graphic designers on the lower end of that spectrum, the bottom 10% to be exact, make roughly $32,000 a year, while the top 10% makes $60,000.
Location impacts how much a junior graphic designer can expect to make. Junior graphic designers make the most in Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, Washington, and Maryland.
Salary for Junior Graphic Designer
- Starting salaries for junior graphic designers are in the region of £18,000 to £23,000. Once you’ve gained some experience, salaries can rise to £27,000.
- At a middle level, you can expect to earn £25,000 to £38,000.
- Salaries for senior graphic designers or creative leads range from £35,000 to £55,000. A creative director can make £60,000+.
- As a freelancer, you can earn between £200 and £400 a day with experience. You’ll be able to charge more once you have an impressive track record and recommendations.
Salaries vary depending on the sector of employment, location and your experience and reputation. The best paid jobs are usually in London and other large cities. In-house design teams tend to offer higher salaries than design agencies.
Income figures are intended as a guide only.
Working hours
Working hours are typically 37 to 40 hours a week, sometimes with some flexibility around start and finish times. It’s likely that you’ll have to work extra hours when deadlines are approaching.
Part-time work opportunities exist, but may be hard to find. You’ll need several years’ experience and established professional contacts to become self-employed.
