Customize Your Journey
For Educators: Military Resources
Customize Your Journey
For Educators: Military Resources

Graphic Designers

Median Salary
61,300
Job Outlook
N/A

Overview

What are the responsibilities of this role?

Design or create graphics to meet specific commercial or promotional needs, such as packaging, displays, or logos. May use a variety of mediums to achieve artistic or decorative effects.

What sectors do they work in?

Private for profit

63%

Self-employed

23%

Private not for profit

8%

State and local government

5%

Federal Government

1%

Did you know this role exists in the Military?

What is the job outlook?

Employment of graphic designers is projected to show little or no change from 2024 to 2034. Despite limited employment growth, about 20,000 openings for graphic designers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Most of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.

Compensation

What is the typical salary range?

$29,500

10%

$61,300

Median

$76,440

90%

How does location impact how much salary?

Education

What level of education do professionals in this role have?

Education Level

  • Bachelor's degree

    65%

  • High school

    15%

  • Master's degree

    10%

  • Some college

    5%

  • Associate's degree

    5%


Which college majors best prepare you for this role?

  • Web Page, Digital/Multimedia and Information Resources Design
  • Design and Visual Communications, General
  • Industrial and Product Design
  • Digital Arts
  • Commercial and Advertising Art
  • Graphic Design
  • Computer Graphics

Skills and Interests

Which skill sets are the most valuable to possess?

  • Technology Design and Control

    High

  • Verbal Skills

    Mid

  • Leadership

    Mid

  • Math and Science Skills

    Low

  • Equipment Operation and Maintenance

    Low

  • Critical Thinking and Problem Solving

    Mid


What knowledge should you bring to the table?

  • Design
  • Fine Arts
  • Computers and Electronics
  • Communications and Media
  • Sales and Marketing

What challenges will you likely face in the workplace?

  • Time Pressure

    High

  • Level Of Competition

    High

  • Repetitiveness

    Mid

  • Exposure to Job Hazards

    Low

  • Decision Making

    Low

  • Physical Activity

    Low


What personality traits help people thrive in this role?

Artistic

You love creating things and expressing yourself through art, writing and music.

RIASEC represents six broad interest areas—Realistic, Investigative, Artistic, Social, Enterprising and Conventional—helping individuals identify careers that match their skills and preferences.

Take the RIASEC Test

Data supplied by Bureau of Labor Statistics, National Center of Education Statistics, Defense Manpower Data Center (View our update schedule). Contact any business, college or military service branch to answer additional questions.

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