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.
Graphic Designers
SOC: 27-1024 O*NET: 27-1024.00
Median Salary
$61,300
per year
Job Growth
➡️ 2.1%
Average (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
20
projected jobs/year
Education Level
Bachelor's degree or higher
Job Zone 4
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 does a Graphic Designers do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$37,600
10th percentile
Early Career
$47,200
25th percentile
Median
$61,300
50th percentile
Experienced
$79,000
75th percentile
Top Earners
$103,030
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$37,600
25th
$47,200
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$61,300
Mean: $68,610
75th
$79,000
90th
$103,030
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $65,430 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $47,200 and $79,000
- •Salary spread is 51.9% around the median, showing high variation
- •Total national employment: 214,260 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Medium Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:265,900
Top Industries
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services37.9%
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services37.9%
Manufacturing17.6%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:+2.1%
Annual Openings:20,000
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)265,900
Current
2034 (Projected)271,500
+2.1%
+5,700
Employment Change
+2.1%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: As fast as average
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Graphic Designers professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 50 locations
California
28,310 jobs$76,4401.13x
Texas
19,360 jobs$62,0301.01x
New York
16,730 jobs$74,5301.26x
Florida
14,010 jobs$57,9001.03x
Pennsylvania
8,280 jobs$52,9900.99x
Illinois
7,900 jobs$60,0100.94x
North Carolina
7,210 jobs$50,6001.06x
Ohio
7,010 jobs$55,1400.91x
Michigan
5,990 jobs$52,6000.98x
New Jersey
5,870 jobs$66,6000.99x
Virginia
5,500 jobs$70,0600.97x
Washington
5,460 jobs$76,0101.11x
Minnesota
5,460 jobs$58,5901.35x
Georgia
5,410 jobs$57,8600.80x
Massachusetts
4,890 jobs$76,3700.97x
Understanding the Data
Location Quotient (LQ):
- • LQ > 1.0: More jobs than national average
- • LQ = 1.0: Same as national average
- • LQ < 1.0: Fewer jobs than national average
Data Source:
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024
Key Growth Factors
- •Average growth expected
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Active Listening
100%
#2
Speaking
94%
#3
Critical Thinking
86%
#4
Writing
80%
#5
Active Learning
74%
#6
Complex Problem Solving
66%
#7
Coordination
60%
#8
Social Perceptiveness
54%
#9
Judgment and Decision Making
46%
#10
Reading Comprehension
40%
Skills Overview
Active Listening
advanced5.0
100%
Speaking
advanced4.7
94%
Critical Thinking
intermediate4.3
86%
Writing
intermediate4.0
80%
Active Learning
intermediate3.7
74%
Complex Problem Solving
advanced3.3
66%
Coordination
intermediate3.0
60%
Social Perceptiveness
basic2.7
54%
Skills are rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being the most important. The complexity level indicates how advanced the skill typically needs to be.
Filter:
Sort by:
Active Listening
advancedImportance100%
skills
5.0/5.0
Speaking
advancedImportance94%
skills
4.7/5.0
Critical Thinking
intermediateImportance86%
abilities
4.3/5.0
Writing
intermediateImportance80%
skills
4.0/5.0
Active Learning
intermediateImportance74%
abilities
3.7/5.0
Complex Problem Solving
advancedImportance66%
abilities
3.3/5.0
Coordination
intermediateImportance60%
skills
3.0/5.0
Social Perceptiveness
basicImportance54%
skills
2.7/5.0
Judgment and Decision Making
basicImportance46%
abilities
2.3/5.0
Reading Comprehension
basicImportance40%
abilities
2.0/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Fraud Examiners, Investigators and Analysts100%
5 shared skills
Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers82%
5 shared skills
Advertising and Promotions Managers82%
5 shared skills
Urologists82%
5 shared skills
Audiologists82%
5 shared skills
Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys82%
5 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Must Have:
- ✓Active Listening
- ✓Speaking
- ✓Writing
Learn on the Job:
- →Coordination
- →Social Perceptiveness
- →Complex Problem Solving
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Active Listening
- ✓Speaking
- ✓Writing
- ✓Critical Thinking
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Active Listening
- ★Speaking
- ★Writing
- ★Critical Thinking
- ★Active Learning
Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
- •Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
- •Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
- •Entry-level positions prioritize foundational skills that can be built upon over time
What technology will you use?
Technology & Digital Skills
Essential technology proficiencies for Graphic Designers
Technology Intensity
Very High
Digital Literacy Requirements
This career requires expert digital literacy
1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert
Key Digital Competencies:
Advanced software proficiencySystem architecture understandingAutomation and scriptingEmerging technology adaptationTechnical problem-solving
🔥
Hot Technologies in Demand
These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field
Intuit QuickBooks
🔥 Hot TechAutodesk AutoCAD
🔥 Hot TechAutodesk AutoCAD Civil 3D
🔥 Hot TechAutodesk Revit
🔥 Hot TechBentley MicroStation
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Access
🔥 Hot TechStructured query language SQL
🔥 Hot TechAdobe InDesign
🔥 Hot TechAdobe Acrobat
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Outlook
🔥 Hot TechExtensible markup language XML
🔥 Hot TechFigma
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
Intuit QuickBooks
Autodesk AutoCAD
Autodesk AutoCAD Civil 3D
Autodesk Revit
Bentley MicroStation
Microsoft Access
Structured query language SQL
Adobe InDesign
Adobe Acrobat
Microsoft Outlook
Extensible markup language XML
Figma
📚 Technology Learning Resources
Recommended Certifications
- •Vendor-specific software certifications
- •Industry-recognized technology credentials
- •Professional development courses
Online Learning Platforms
- •LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
- •Coursera - University-level programs
- •Udemy - Practical skills training
💡 Technology Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
- •Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
- •Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
- •Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers
What's the work environment like?
🏢
Location
MOSTLY INDOOR
💪
Physical Demand
MODERATE
👥
Team Orientation
MOSTLY TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
FREQUENT
💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?
Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:
- •Are you comfortable working in mostly indoor environments?
- •Can you meet moderate physical demands?
- •Do you enjoy mostly team team environments?
- •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?
What are the key tasks?
Tasks & Responsibilities
19
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
Planning & Development (5)General Responsibilities (9)Documentation & Record-Keeping (5)
1
Create designs, concepts, and sample layouts, based on knowledge of layout principles and esthetic design concepts.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development100% perform100%
2
Determine size and arrangement of illustrative material and copy, and select style and size of type.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities97% perform98%
3
Use computer software to generate new images.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities94% perform96%
4
Mark up, paste, and assemble final layouts to prepare layouts for printer.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping91% perform94%
5
Draw and print charts, graphs, illustrations, and other artwork, using computer.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities88% perform92%
6
Review final layouts and suggest improvements, as needed.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities85% perform90%
7
Confer with clients to discuss and determine layout design.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development82% perform88%
8
Develop graphics and layouts for product illustrations, company logos, and Web sites.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development79% perform86%
9
Key information into computer equipment to create layouts for client or supervisor.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities76% perform84%
10
Prepare illustrations or rough sketches of material, discussing them with clients or supervisors and making necessary changes.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on planning & development activities
- •37% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
- •Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities
What career paths are available?
Career Pathways
0
Advancement Opportunities
0
Lateral Move Options
0%
Avg. Salary Increase
Advancement Opportunities
Typical career progression paths from Graphic Designers
💡 Career Planning Tips
- •Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
- •Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
- •Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
- •Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves
Is this career right for you?
Personality & Values Fit
Is This Career Right for You?
Graphic Designers professionals typically have a ACE Holland code and highly value achievement
AArtistic
CConventional
EEnterprising
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Graphic Designers
Attention to Detail
CriticalAttention to Detail
Importance Level4.80
Dependability
CriticalDependability
Importance Level4.65
Adaptability/Flexibility
Very ImportantAdaptability/Flexibility
Importance Level4.45
Innovation
Very ImportantInnovation
Importance Level4.45
Cooperation
Very ImportantCooperation
Importance Level4.45
Initiative
Very ImportantInitiative
Importance Level4.40
Complete Work Styles Profile
Attention to Detail
4.8
Dependability
4.7
Adaptability/Flexibility
4.5
Innovation
4.5
Cooperation
4.5
Initiative
4.4
Self-Control
4.3
Achievement/Effort
4.2
Stress Tolerance
4.2
Independence
4.2
💡 Tips for Career Fit Success
- •While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
- •Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
- •Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
- •Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career
What education is required?
Education Level
Bachelor's degree or higher
Typical duration: 4 years
Preparation Level
Job Zone 4
Considerable Preparation Needed
Experience Needed
A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience needed
📚 Education Requirement
Required Level:Bachelor's degree or higher
Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
Training:
Significant preparation with related work experience
💼 Experience Requirement
A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience needed
Common pathways to gain experience:
- • Bachelor's degree in related field
- • Several years of work experience
- • Professional certifications often required
4
Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
Bachelor's degree in related fieldSeveral years of work experienceProfessional certifications often required
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