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Occupational Outlook Handbook > Arts and Design >
What They Do
How to Become One
State & Area Data
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Quick Facts: Graphic Designers
2018 Median Pay
Typical Entry-Level Education
Work Experience in a Related Occupation
Number of Jobs, 2016
Job Outlook, 2016-26
4% (Slower than average)
Employment Change, 2016-26
What Graphic Designers Do
Graphic designers create visual concepts, using computer software or by hand, to communicate ideas that inspire, inform, and captivate consumers. They develop the overall layout and production design for applications such as advertisements, brochures, magazines, and reports.
Many of these workers are employed in specialized design services, publishing, or advertising, public relations, and related services industries. In 2016, about 1 in 5 graphic designers were self-employed.
How to Become a Graphic Designer
Graphic designers usually need a bachelor's degree in graphic design or a related field. Candidates for graphic design positions should have a portfolio that demonstrates their creativity and originality.
The median annual wage for graphic designers was $50,370 in May 2018.
Employment of graphic designers is projected to grow 4 percent from 2016 to 2026, slower than the average for all occupations. Graphic designers are expected to face strong competition for available positions.
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for graphic designers.
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of graphic designers with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about graphic designers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
What They Do ->
What Graphic Designers Do About this section
Graphic designers create designs either by hand or using computer software packages.
Graphic designers typically do the following:
Meet with clients or the art director to determine the scope of a project
Use digital illustration, photo editing software, and layout software to create designs
Create visual elements such as logos, original images, and illustrations to help deliver a message
Design layouts, including selection of colors, images, and typefaces
Present design concepts to clients or art directors
Incorporate changes recommended by clients or art directors into final designs
Review designs for errors before printing or publishing them
Graphic designers, also referred to as graphic artists or communication designers, combine art and technology to communicate ideas through images and the layout of websites and printed pages. They may use a variety of design elements to achieve artistic or decorative effects.
Graphic designers work with both text and images. They often select the type, font, size, color, and line length of headlines, headings, and text. Graphic designers also decide how images and text will go together in print or on a webpage, including how much space each will have. When using text in layouts, graphic designers collaborate with writers, who choose the words and decide whether the words will be put into paragraphs, lists, or tables. Through the use of images, text, and color, graphic designers may transform data into visual graphics and diagrams to make complex ideas more accessible.
Graphic design is important to market and sell products, and it is a critical component of brochures and logos. Therefore, graphic designers often work closely with people in advertising and promotions, public relations, and marketing.
Frequently, designers specialize in a particular category or type of client. For example, some designers create the graphics used on product packaging, and others may work on the visual designs used on book jackets.
Graphic designers need to keep up to date with software and computer technologies in order to remain competitive.
Some individuals with a background in graphic design become postsecondary teachers and teach in design schools, colleges, and universities.
Some graphic designers specialize in experiential graphic design. These designers work with architects, industrial designers, landscape architects, and interior designers to create interactive design environments, such as museum exhibitions, public arts exhibits, and retail spaces.
<- Summary Work Environment ->
Work Environment About this section
Graphic designers generally work in a studio where they have access to drafting tables and computers.
Graphic designers held about 266,300 jobs in 2016. The largest employers of graphic designers were as follows:
Self-employed workers 18%
Specialized design services 11
Advertising, public relations, and related services 8
Printing and related support activities 7
Newspaper, periodical, book, and directory publishers 6
Graphic designers generally work in studios, where they have access to equipment such as drafting tables, computers, and software. Although many graphic designers work independently, those who work for specialized graphic design firms are often part of a design team. Many graphic designers collaborate with colleagues or work with clients on projects.
Graphic designers' schedules vary depending on workloads and deadlines.
Those who are self-employed may need to adjust their workday to meet with clients in the evenings or on weekends. In addition, they may spend some of their time looking for new projects or competing with other designers for contracts.
<- What They Do How to Become One ->
How to Become a Graphic Designer About this section
Graphic designers should demonstrate their creativity and originality through a professional portfolio.
A bachelor's degree in graphic design or a related field is usually required. However, people who have a bachelor's degree in another field may complete technical training in graphic design to meet most hiring qualifications.
The National Association of Schools of Art and Design accredits more than 360 postsecondary colleges, universities, and independent institutes with programs in art and design. Most programs include courses in studio art, principles of design, computerized design, commercial graphics production, printing techniques, and website design. In addition, students should consider courses in writing, marketing, and business, all of which are useful in helping designers work effectively on project teams.
High school students interested in graphic design should take basic art and design courses, if available. Many bachelor's degree programs require students to complete a year of basic art and design courses before being admitted to a formal degree program. Some schools require applicants to submit sketches and other examples of their artistic ability.
Many programs provide students with the opportunity to build a portfolio—a collection of completed works that demonstrates an artist's styles and abilities. For many artists, including graphic designers, developing a portfolio is essential because employers rely on portfolios in making hiring decisions.
Graphic designers must keep up with new and updated computer graphics and design software, either on their own or through formal software training programs. Professional associations that specialize in graphic design, such as AIGA, offer courses intended to keep the skills of their members up to date.
Graphic designers often gain experience through internships, which they may undertake while enrolled in a design program. Internships allow aspiring graphic designers to work with designers and to experience the design process from concept to completion.
Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations
Certification programs are generally available through software product vendors. Certification in graphic design software demonstrates competence and may provide jobseekers with a competitive advantage.
Experienced graphic designers may advance to chief designer, art director, or other supervisory positions.
Analytical skills. Graphic designers must be able to perceive their work from their consumers' point of view to ensure that the designs convey the client's message.
Artistic ability. Graphic designers must be able to create designs that are artistically interesting and appealing to clients and consumers. They produce rough illustrations of design ideas, either by hand sketching or by using computer programs.
Communication skills. Graphic designers must communicate with clients, customers, and other designers to ensure that their designs accurately and effectively convey information.
Computer skills. Most graphic designers use specialized graphic design software to prepare their designs.
Creativity. Graphic designers must be able to think of new approaches to communicating ideas to consumers. They develop unique designs that convey their client's message.
Time-management skills. Graphic designers often work simultaneously on multiple projects, each with a different deadline.
<- Work Environment Pay ->
Pay About this section
Median annual wages, May 2018
Art and design workers
Total, all occupations
Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment Statistics
The median annual wage for graphic designers was $50,370 in May 2018. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $29,610, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $85,760.
In May 2018, the median annual wages for graphic designers in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:
Advertising, public relations, and related services $51,380
Specialized design services 51,320
Newspaper, periodical, book, and directory publishers 43,450
Printing and related support activities 40,170
Graphic designers' schedules vary depending on workload and deadlines.
<- How to Become One Job Outlook ->
Job Outlook About this section
Percent change in employment, projected 2016-26
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program
Employment of graphic designers is projected to grow 4 percent from 2016 to 2026, slower than the average for all occupations. The work of graphic designers will continue to be important in marketing products throughout the economy.
The projected change in employment of graphic designers from 2016 to 2026 varies by industry. For example, employment of graphic designers in newspaper, periodical, book, and directory publishers is projected to decline 22 percent from 2016 to 2026. However, employment of graphic designers in computer systems design and related services is projected to grow 20 percent over the same period. Companies are continuing to increase their digital presence, requiring graphic designers to help create visually appealing and effective layouts of websites.
Graphic designers are expected to face strong competition for available positions. Many talented individuals are attracted to careers as graphic designers. Prospects will be best for applicants who keep up with the latest design trends, technologies, and techniques.
Employment projections data for graphic designers, 2016-26
Occupational Title
SOC Code
Employment, 2016
Projected Employment, 2026
Change, 2016-26
27-1024 266,300 277,400 4 11,100 xlsx
<- Pay State & Area Data ->
State & Area Data About this section
The Occupational Employment Statistics (OES) program produces employment and wage estimates annually for over 800 occupations. These estimates are available for the nation as a whole, for individual states, and for metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas. The link(s) below go to OES data maps for employment and wages by state and area.
Projections Central
Occupational employment projections are developed for all states by Labor Market Information (LMI) or individual state Employment Projections offices. All state projections data are available at www.projectionscentral.com. Information on this site allows projected employment growth for an occupation to be compared among states or to be compared within one state. In addition, states may produce projections for areas; there are links to each state's websites where these data may be retrieved.
CareerOneStop includes hundreds of occupational profiles with data available by state and metro area. There are links in the left-hand side menu to compare occupational employment by state and occupational wages by local area or metro area. There is also a salary info tool to search for wages by zip code.
<- Job Outlook Similar Occupations ->
Similar Occupations About this section
This table shows a list of occupations with job duties that are similar to those of graphic designers.
ENTRY-LEVEL EDUCATION
Art directors are responsible for the visual style and images in magazines, newspapers, product packaging, and movie and television productions. They create the overall design of a project and direct others who develop artwork and layouts.
Bachelor's degree $92,780
Craft and Fine Artists
Craft and fine artists use a variety of materials and techniques to create art for sale and exhibition. Craft artists create handmade objects, such as pottery, glassware, textiles, and other objects that are designed to be functional. Fine artists, including painters, sculptors, and illustrators, create original works of art for their aesthetic value, rather than for a functional one.
See How to Become One $48,960
Desktop Publishers
Desktop publishers use computer software to design page layouts for newspapers, books, brochures, and other items that are printed or published online.
Associate's degree $42,910
Drafters use software to convert the designs of engineers and architects into technical drawings. Most workers specialize in architectural, civil, electrical, or mechanical drafting and use technical drawings to help design everything from microchips to skyscrapers.
Industrial Designers
Industrial designers develop the concepts for manufactured products, such as cars, home appliances, and toys. They combine art, business, and engineering to make products that people use every day. Industrial designers consider the function, aesthetics, production costs, and usability of products when developing new product concepts.
Multimedia Artists and Animators
Multimedia artists and animators create images that appear to move and visual effects for television, movies, video games, and other forms of media.
Technical writers, also called technical communicators, prepare instruction manuals, how-to guides, journal articles, and other supporting documents to communicate complex and technical information more easily. They also develop, gather, and disseminate technical information through an organization's communications channels.
Web developers design and create websites. They are responsible for the look of the site. They are also responsible for the site's technical aspects, such as its performance and capacity, which are measures of a website's speed and how much traffic the site can handle. In addition, web developers may create content for the site.
<- State & Area Data More Info ->
Contacts for More Information About this section
For more information about graphic design, visit
AIGA
Graphic Artists Guild
Society for Experiential Graphic Design
For more information about art and design and a list of accredited college-level programs, visit
National Association of Schools of Art and Design
Related BLS articles
Career Outlook:
Careers for people who are creative
You're a what? Experiential designer
Putting your liberal arts degree to work
O*NET
<- Similar Occupations
Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook , Graphic Designers,
on the Internet at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/arts-and-design/graphic-designers.htm (visited July 03, 2019).
Last Modified Date: Wednesday, April 17, 2019
The What They Do tab describes the typical duties and responsibilities of workers in the occupation, including what tools and equipment they use and how closely they are supervised. This tab also covers different types of occupational specialties.
The Work Environment tab includes the number of jobs held in the occupation and describes the workplace, the level of physical activity expected, and typical hours worked. It may also discuss the major industries that employed the occupation. This tab may also describe opportunities for part-time work, the amount and type of travel required, any safety equipment that is used, and the risk of injury that workers may face.
The How to Become One tab describes how to prepare for a job in the occupation. This tab can include information on education, training, work experience, licensing and certification, and important qualities that are required or helpful for entering or working in the occupation.
The Pay tab describes typical earnings and how workers in the occupation are compensated—annual salaries, hourly wages, commissions, tips, or bonuses. Within every occupation, earnings vary by experience, responsibility, performance, tenure, and geographic area. For most profiles, this tab has a table with wages in the major industries employing the occupation. It does not include pay for self-employed workers, agriculture workers, or workers in private households because these data are not collected by the Occupational Employment Statistics (OES) survey, the source of BLS wage data in the OOH.
The State and Area Data tab provides links to state and area occupational data from the Occupational Employment Statistics (OES) program, state projections data from Projections Central, and occupational information from the Department of Labor's CareerOneStop.
The Job Outlook tab describes the factors that affect employment growth or decline in the occupation, and in some instances, describes the relationship between the number of job seekers and the number of job openings.
The Similar Occupations tab describes occupations that share similar duties, skills, interests, education, or training with the occupation covered in the profile.
Contacts for More Information
The More Information tab provides the Internet addresses of associations, government agencies, unions, and other organizations that can provide additional information on the occupation. This tab also includes links to relevant occupational information from the Occupational Information Network (O*NET).
The wage at which half of the workers in the occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. Median wage data are from the BLS Occupational Employment Statistics survey. In May 2018, the median annual wage for all workers was $38,640.
Additional training needed (postemployment) to attain competency in the skills needed in this occupation.
Typical level of education that most workers need to enter this occupation.
Work experience that is commonly considered necessary by employers, or is a commonly accepted substitute for more formal types of training or education.
The employment, or size, of this occupation in 2016, which is the base year of the 2016-26 employment projections.
The projected percent change in employment from 2016 to 2026. The average growth rate for all occupations is 7 percent.
The projected numeric change in employment from 2016 to 2026.
Employment Change, projected 2016-26
Growth Rate (Projected)
The percent change of employment for each occupation from 2016 to 2026.
Projected Number of New Jobs
Projected Growth Rate
The projected percent change in employment from 2016 to 2026.
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