Graphic Designers Career Resources

Bachelor Degree Careers and Jobs (jobs after undergraduate degree)

Explore Careers and Jobs Predominantly Filled by Those with a Bachelor's Degree with or without Certificates - All On One Page

Sorted by median annual U.S. salary and including percentage of job holders with Bachelor's Degree.

A bachelor's degree qualifies graduates for a wide range of professional, technical, and management-track careers across nearly every industry. For people who want to compare where a four-year degree can lead before choosing a major or job. Compare careers ranked by salary, review degree-holder and experience percentages, and access preparation resources for each role.

4 Steps to Use This Page: 1-Explore Careers of Intrerest 2-See Job Listings Matched to Career 3-Prepare for the Career 4-See External Career Resources

Here is a short Helper Video .

This page will take you through 4 steps, relative to an Bachelor's Degree, to (1) Select a career, (2) Find active job listings, (3) Prepare for the career you chose, and (4) Provide web resources specific to the career you chose.

Step 1: Select a Career: You will be presented with a listing of Bachelor's Degree careers. The list may be quite long. There are two ways you might like to use this list:
1) Filter - As you enter a word, you will filter (limit) the list of careers below
2) Browse the list (Don't Filter) - You can simply browse the list of careers. There may be many that you might never have considered. This may help you to discover careers that might be of interest.

Once you have identified a career of interest, simply click on it.

Step 2: Find a Job: After you have selected a career/job title above, you will see a form asking for your location. You will see several radio selection choices to utilize the job search site of your choice.

Step 3: Prepare For a Career: In this section you will gain access to detailed information to help you prepare for the career you selected. Information includes core and supplemental duties, general and specific work activities, knowledge required, essential and transferable skills required, day-in-the-life summaries, knowledge required, software skills required, preparation required, educational requirements, training and work experience required, local salary information, certifications, professional associations, current job listings for the job selected along with multiple similar job titles, and related careers (related to what they do, what they know, and what they're called).

Step 4: Career-Specific Resources (detailed and constantly updated): Continue to scroll down the page and you will find tabs that will provide detailed (updated) links to occupational information specific to the career you selected. This information includes:
Videos: Provides a listing of video links related to this career. A great way to get a quick overview of the occupation.
Resumes: Sources for resume materials and techniques. This can help to get you started.
Job Description: Sources that provide job descriptions, which are vital to resume and interview preparation.
Interviews: Provides links that can help you to prepare for and successfully complete the job interview.
Step by Step: Provides links to resources that can help to organize the career search process.
LinkedIn: One of the best professional social media sites that provides links, opportunities, and networking specifically for careers and career development.

Step 1 of 4: Select a Career

Leading Books About Bachelor's Degree Jobs
What jobs can you get with a Bachelor's Degree? Scroll through the picklist (below). These are careers related to the Bachelor's Degree level, with at least 30% of job holders having a Bachelor's Degree. - 255 specific careers are listed, with matching jobs currently available. Select those careers that may be of interest - you will then get links to matching active job listings, and detailed resources to help you prepare.
You can use this form two ways:
1) Enter a Keyword - As you enter a keyword, you will filter (limit) the listing to those careers that contain the keyword entered
2) Browse the list (Don't enter a keyword) - You can simply browse the list of careers. There may be many that you might never have considered. This may help you to discover jobs that might be of interest.

Enter a Keyword (filter the list below)
OR - leave blank and scroll through the choices:

Select a Job Title - Sorted by Annual Salary -(scroll and Select) :
Legend: Career Title Link / (% having Bachelor's Degree) / (Median Annual U.S. Salary)

Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers / (61.02%) / ($219,140)

Chief Executives / (32.29%) / ($206,680)

Computer and Information Systems Managers / (50.48%) / ($169,510)

Architectural and Engineering Managers / (46.67%) / ($165,370)

Biofuels/Biodiesel Technology and Product Development Managers / (56.68%) / ($165,370)

Natural Sciences Managers / (37.31%) / ($157,740)

Clinical Research Coordinators / (60.13%) / ($157,740)

Water Resource Specialists / (50.00%) / ($157,740)

Marketing Managers / (55.76%) / ($157,620)

Financial Managers / (77.31%) / ($156,100)

Treasurers and Controllers / (60.00%) / ($156,100)

Investment Fund Managers / (32.66%) / ($156,100)

Computer and Information Research Scientists / (36.22%) / ($145,080)

Computer Hardware Engineers / (48.28%) / ($138,080)

Purchasing Managers / (52.63%) / ($136,380)

Compensation and Benefits Managers / (85.71%) / ($136,380)

Human Resources Managers / (90.91%) / ($136,350)

Petroleum Engineers / (71.61%) / ($135,690)

Sales Managers / (71.43%) / ($135,160)

Database Architects / (80.95%) / ($134,700)

Data Warehousing Specialists / (78.26%) / ($134,700)

Regulatory Affairs Managers / (78.26%) / ($133,560)

Compliance Managers / (63.38%) / ($133,560)

Loss Prevention Managers / (59.10%) / ($133,560)

Wind Energy Operations Managers / (34.76%) / ($133,560)

Wind Energy Development Managers / (69.46%) / ($133,560)

Brownfield Redevelopment Specialists and Site Managers / (86.36%) / ($133,560)

Medical Dosimetrists / (75.00%) / ($132,880)

Software Developers / (85.61%) / ($132,270)

Advertising and Promotions Managers / (62.44%) / ($131,870)

Aerospace Engineers / (59.05%) / ($130,720)

Computer Network Architects / (60.00%) / ($129,840)

Telecommunications Engineering Specialists / (33.34%) / ($129,840)

Nuclear Engineers / (80.95%) / ($125,460)

Training and Development Managers / (78.57%) / ($125,040)

Information Security Analysts / (75.16%) / ($120,360)

Actuaries / (89.28%) / ($120,000)

Fundraising Managers / (65.49%) / ($119,200)

Electronics Engineers, Except Computer / (83.30%) / ($119,200)

Radio Frequency Identification Device Specialists / (76.62%) / ($119,200)

Quality Control Systems Managers / (100.00%) / ($116,970)

Biofuels Production Managers / (52.04%) / ($116,970)

Biomass Power Plant Managers / (61.49%) / ($116,970)

Sales Engineers / (57.33%) / ($116,950)

Remote Sensing Scientists and Technologists / (76.00%) / ($112,280)

Chemical Engineers / (95.65%) / ($112,100)

Energy Engineers, Except Wind and Solar / (63.64%) / ($111,970)

Mechatronics Engineers / (66.14%) / ($111,970)

Microsystems Engineers / (43.72%) / ($111,970)

Photonics Engineers / (52.38%) / ($111,970)

Robotics Engineers / (56.67%) / ($111,970)

Wind Energy Engineers / (75.31%) / ($111,970)

Solar Energy Systems Engineers / (55.56%) / ($111,970)

Medical and Health Services Managers / (46.43%) / ($110,680)

Business Intelligence Analysts / (72.73%) / ($108,020)

Clinical Data Managers / (90.00%) / ($108,020)

Orthoptists / (85.71%) / ($107,990)

Electrical Engineers / (81.62%) / ($106,950)

Art Directors / (71.54%) / ($106,500)

Materials Scientists / (66.66%) / ($106,160)

Web Administrators / (55.00%) / ($104,920)

Document Management Specialists / (70.00%) / ($104,920)

Information Security Engineers / (47.37%) / ($104,920)

Information Technology Project Managers / (57.15%) / ($104,920)

Construction Managers / (40.00%) / ($104,900)

Materials Engineers / (52.38%) / ($104,100)

Computer Systems Analysts / (41.93%) / ($103,800)

Fire-Prevention and Protection Engineers / (88.47%) / ($103,690)

Security Managers / (70.00%) / ($102,340)

Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers / (50.00%) / ($101,800)

Database Administrators / (92.89%) / ($101,510)

Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers / (43.48%) / ($100,730)

Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers / (95.74%) / ($100,640)

Marine Engineers and Naval Architects / (52.63%) / ($100,270)

Environmental Engineers / (66.66%) / ($100,090)

Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Technical and Scientific Products / (41.07%) / ($99,710)

Computer Programmers / (88.04%) / ($99,700)

Personal Financial Advisors / (80.77%) / ($99,580)

Mechanical Engineers / (52.29%) / ($99,510)

Fuel Cell Engineers / (57.14%) / ($99,510)

Automotive Engineers / (71.43%) / ($99,510)

Management Analysts / (66.66%) / ($99,410)

Industrial Engineers / (62.98%) / ($99,380)

Human Factors Engineers and Ergonomists / (50.00%) / ($99,380)

Validation Engineers / (90.00%) / ($99,380)

Manufacturing Engineers / (76.00%) / ($99,380)

Supply Chain Managers / (76.19%) / ($99,200)

Special Effects Artists and Animators / (52.75%) / ($99,060)

Video Game Designers / (55.00%) / ($98,540)

Radiation Therapists / (37.54%) / ($98,300)

Low Vision Therapists, Orientation and Mobility Specialists, and Vision Rehabilitation Therapists / (39.13%) / ($96,370)

Civil Engineers / (90.47%) / ($95,890)

Transportation Engineers / (86.36%) / ($95,890)

Water/Wastewater Engineers / (69.57%) / ($95,890)

Transportation Planners / (55.00%) / ($95,890)

Network and Computer Systems Administrators / (52.37%) / ($95,360)

Architects, Except Landscape and Naval / (47.62%) / ($93,310)

Atmospheric and Space Scientists / (60.00%) / ($92,860)

Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers / (40.62%) / ($92,580)

Bioinformatics Scientists / (33.61%) / ($91,100)

Molecular and Cellular Biologists / (34.62%) / ($91,100)

Intelligence Analysts / (73.92%) / ($91,100)

Geographers / (45.00%) / ($90,880)

Labor Relations Specialists / (42.85%) / ($89,980)

Hydrologists / (43.48%) / ($88,770)

Agricultural Engineers / (75.00%) / ($88,750)

Registered Nurses / (55.92%) / ($86,070)

Acute Care Nurses / (66.66%) / ($86,070)

Critical Care Nurses / (50.00%) / ($86,070)

Microbiologists / (72.73%) / ($85,470)

Web Developers / (50.00%) / ($84,960)

Budget Analysts / (77.48%) / ($84,940)

Agents and Business Managers of Artists, Performers, and Athletes / (41.33%) / ($84,900)

Chemists / (60.07%) / ($84,680)

First-Line Supervisors of Non-Retail Sales Workers / (44.97%) / ($84,570)

Financial Examiners / (95.66%) / ($84,300)

Emergency Management Directors / (68.18%) / ($83,960)

Operations Research Analysts / (42.85%) / ($83,640)

Producers and Directors / (56.67%) / ($82,510)

Media Programming Directors / (52.00%) / ($82,510)

Talent Directors / (50.86%) / ($82,510)

Media Technical Directors/Managers / (92.07%) / ($82,510)

Food Scientists and Technologists / (81.82%) / ($82,090)

Urban and Regional Planners / (40.00%) / ($81,800)

Occupational Health and Safety Specialists / (82.61%) / ($81,140)

Technical Writers / (35.52%) / ($80,050)

Chemical Plant and System Operators / (36.27%) / ($80,030)

Business Continuity Planners / (65.22%) / ($79,590)

Sustainability Specialists / (56.52%) / ($79,590)

Online Merchants / (41.29%) / ($79,590)

Security Management Specialists / (70.00%) / ($79,590)

Credit Analysts / (95.00%) / ($79,420)

Logisticians / (75.00%) / ($79,400)

Logistics Engineers / (73.91%) / ($79,400)

Logistics Analysts / (63.64%) / ($79,400)

Landscape Architects / (95.00%) / ($79,320)

Fashion Designers / (50.67%) / ($79,290)

Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health / (60.15%) / ($78,980)

Environmental Restoration Planners / (59.09%) / ($78,980)

Financial Quantitative Analysts / (35.00%) / ($78,310)

Fraud Examiners, Investigators and Analysts / (83.33%) / ($78,310)

Insurance Underwriters / (73.33%) / ($77,860)

Social and Community Service Managers / (50.36%) / ($77,030)

Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents / (61.33%) / ($76,900)

Commercial and Industrial Designers / (67.92%) / ($76,250)

Cartographers and Photogrammetrists / (31.50%) / ($76,210)

Environmental Compliance Inspectors / (75.00%) / ($75,670)

Equal Opportunity Representatives and Officers / (70.20%) / ($75,670)

Government Property Inspectors and Investigators / (39.34%) / ($75,670)

Coroners / (50.00%) / ($75,670)

Regulatory Affairs Specialists / (85.00%) / ($75,670)

Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators / (55.82%) / ($75,050)

Editors / (81.70%) / ($75,020)

Cost Estimators / (81.82%) / ($74,740)

Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists / (60.87%) / ($74,680)

Search Marketing Strategists / (47.83%) / ($74,680)

Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists / (95.23%) / ($74,530)

Writers and Authors / (46.95%) / ($73,690)

Poets, Lyricists and Creative Writers / (31.82%) / ($73,690)

Entertainment and Recreation Managers, Except Gambling / (52.12%) / ($73,460)

Computer Network Support Specialists / (48.77%) / ($71,530)

Bioinformatics Technicians / (53.34%) / ($70,620)

Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists / (57.21%) / ($70,600)

Loan Officers / (69.86%) / ($69,990)

Dietitians and Nutritionists / (63.33%) / ($69,680)

Electrical and Electronics Drafters / (40.08%) / ($69,260)

Conservation Scientists / (78.27%) / ($68,750)

Range Managers / (81.13%) / ($68,750)

Park Naturalists / (49.75%) / ($68,750)

Surveyors / (47.37%) / ($68,540)

Geodetic Surveyors / (85.18%) / ($68,540)

Human Resources Specialists / (48.28%) / ($67,650)

Foresters / (83.96%) / ($67,330)

Adapted Physical Education Specialists / (71.43%) / ($67,190)

Public Relations Specialists / (90.91%) / ($66,750)

Special Education Teachers, Secondary School / (57.35%) / ($66,620)

Special Education Teachers, Middle School / (82.51%) / ($66,600)

Film and Video Editors / (65.10%) / ($66,600)

Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products / (33.89%) / ($65,630)

Lodging Managers / (71.60%) / ($65,360)

Special Education Teachers, Preschool / (63.43%) / ($65,270)

Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education / (84.73%) / ($65,220)

Career/Technical Education Teachers, Secondary School / (44.42%) / ($65,130)

Forensic Science Technicians / (32.36%) / ($64,940)

Training and Development Specialists / (78.26%) / ($64,340)

Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education / (88.24%) / ($64,290)

Fundraisers / (95.24%) / ($64,160)

Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians / (36.52%) / ($64,020)

Career/Technical Education Teachers, Middle School / (80.62%) / ($63,860)

Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education / (78.17%) / ($63,680)

Music Therapists / (84.62%) / ($63,650)

First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers / (45.22%) / ($63,450)

Real Estate Brokers / (45.33%) / ($63,060)

Health Education Specialists / (30.93%) / ($62,860)

Property, Real Estate, and Community Association Managers / (55.00%) / ($62,850)

Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education / (86.20%) / ($62,690)

Nanotechnology Engineering Technologists and Technicians / (30.00%) / ($62,610)

Interior Designers / (84.00%) / ($62,510)

Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists / (88.03%) / ($61,800)

Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors / (56.31%) / ($61,710)

Advertising Sales Agents / (51.85%) / ($61,270)

Paralegals and Legal Assistants / (46.50%) / ($60,970)

Survey Researchers / (50.00%) / ($60,960)

Adult Basic Education, Adult Secondary Education, and English as a Second Language Instructors / (52.22%) / ($60,560)

Fish and Game Wardens / (79.35%) / ($60,380)

Brokerage Clerks / (38.23%) / ($60,150)

Set and Exhibit Designers / (33.33%) / ($59,490)

Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators / (35.12%) / ($59,300)

Computer User Support Specialists / (47.32%) / ($59,240)

Insurance Sales Agents / (46.90%) / ($59,080)

Graphic Designers / (65.00%) / ($58,910)

Tax Examiners and Collectors, and Revenue Agents / (33.61%) / ($58,530)

Remote Sensing Technicians / (70.45%) / ($58,350)

Athletic Trainers / (37.39%) / ($57,930)

Occupational Health and Safety Technicians / (52.38%) / ($57,920)

Fitness and Wellness Coordinators / (42.31%) / ($57,570)

First-Line Supervisors of Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Workers / (32.89%) / ($57,320)

Recreational Therapists / (97.30%) / ($57,120)

Interpreters and Translators / (54.72%) / ($57,090)

Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners / (40.80%) / ($56,920)

Chemical Technicians / (43.74%) / ($56,750)

Social Science Research Assistants / (54.32%) / ($56,400)

First-Line Supervisors of Landscaping, Lawn Service, and Groundskeeping Workers / (32.32%) / ($55,740)

Exercise Physiologists / (59.09%) / ($54,860)

Environmental Engineering Technologists and Technicians / (72.05%) / ($54,000)

Child, Family, and School Social Workers / (68.66%) / ($53,940)

Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks / (31.84%) / ($52,240)

Audio and Video Technicians / (42.67%) / ($51,640)

Biological Technicians / (63.12%) / ($51,430)

Desktop Publishers / (38.70%) / ($51,290)

Airfield Operations Specialists / (50.86%) / ($51,140)

Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health / (68.18%) / ($50,660)

Statistical Assistants / (61.28%) / ($50,510)

Directors, Religious Activities and Education / (54.13%) / ($50,140)

Private Detectives and Investigators / (42.15%) / ($49,540)

Food Science Technicians / (32.33%) / ($49,090)

Proofreaders and Copy Markers / (47.30%) / ($48,790)

Credit Counselors / (40.00%) / ($48,570)

Cargo and Freight Agents / (30.75%) / ($48,330)

Freight Forwarders / (43.66%) / ($48,330)

Community Health Workers / (51.88%) / ($48,200)

Human Resources Assistants, Except Payroll and Timekeeping / (33.81%) / ($47,710)

Loan Interviewers and Clerks / (38.26%) / ($47,380)

Procurement Clerks / (32.73%) / ($46,670)

Coaches and Scouts / (48.89%) / ($45,910)

Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys / (35.18%) / ($44,890)

Speech-Language Pathology Assistants / (37.46%) / ($44,490)

Rehabilitation Counselors / (55.86%) / ($44,040)

Teaching Assistants, Postsecondary / (57.32%) / ($43,750)

Precision Agriculture Technicians / (34.78%) / ($43,180)

Social and Human Service Assistants / (40.46%) / ($41,410)

Tutors / (40.91%) / ($39,580)

Residential Advisors / (31.29%) / ($37,950)

Substitute Teachers, Short-Term / (40.15%) / ($37,380)

Recreation Workers / (61.96%) / ($34,410)

Step 2 of 4: Find a Job

Job Listings for: Graphic Designers.

Step 3 of 4: Prepare For a Career

Prepare for the "Graphic Designers" Career
The details below will provide a pathway to your specific job goal and help you to identify an appropriate career ladder.

Graphic Designers

Description: 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.

U.S. Total Employment (2023): 254,100	U.S. Total Employment (2033 est.): 261,400
Employment Change (2023-2033 est.): 7,300 (2.9%)	Average Annual Job Openings (2023-2033 est.): 23,900

Please click on a section below to expand and see detailed occupational information related to "Graphic Designers":

Core Duties

Important Core Job Duties (in order of importance) For the Top 5 most important - How can you build experience and skill doing these? This will help now, to begin preparing for this type of occupation.
Importance (%)	Description
Importance: 100 (%)	Description: Review final layouts and suggest improvements, as needed.
Importance: 100 (%)	Description: Research new software or design concepts.
Importance: 100 (%)	Description: Prepare illustrations or rough sketches of material, discussing them with clients or supervisors and making necessary changes.
Importance: 100 (%)	Description: Maintain archive of images, photos, or previous work products.
Importance: 100 (%)	Description: Study illustrations and photographs to plan presentation of materials, products, or services.
Importance: 100 (%)	Description: Draw and print charts, graphs, illustrations, and other artwork, using computer.
Importance: 100 (%)	Description: Research the target audience of projects.
Importance: 100 (%)	Description: Confer with clients to discuss and determine layout design.
Importance: 100 (%)	Description: Prepare digital files for printing.
Importance: 100 (%)	Description: Use computer software to generate new images.
Importance: 100 (%)	Description: Create designs, concepts, and sample layouts, based on knowledge of layout principles and esthetic design concepts.
Importance: 100 (%)	Description: Develop graphics and layouts for product illustrations, company logos, and Web sites.
Importance: 100 (%)	Description: Determine size and arrangement of illustrative material and copy, and select style and size of type.
Importance: 100 (%)	Description: Key information into computer equipment to create layouts for client or supervisor.
Importance: 95 (%)	Description: Prepare notes and instructions for workers who assemble and prepare final layouts for printing.
Importance: 75 (%)	Description: Mark up, paste, and assemble final layouts to prepare layouts for printer.
Importance: 75 (%)	Description: Produce still and animated graphics for on-air and taped portions of television news broadcasts, using electronic video equipment.

Supplemental Duties

Important Supplemental Job Duties (in order of importance) For the Top 5 most important - How can you build experience and skill doing these? This will help now, to begin preparing for this type of occupation.
Importance (%)	Description
Importance: 95 (%)	Description: Photograph layouts, using camera, to make layout prints for supervisors or clients.
Importance: 90 (%)	Description: Write or edit copy for clients.

Work Activities

Important General Work Activities (in order of importance) For the Top 5 most important - How can you build experience and skill doing these? This will help now, to begin preparing for this type of occupation.
Importance (%)	Description
Importance: 98 (%)	Description: Thinking Creatively: Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
Importance: 95 (%)	Description: Working with Computers: Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
Importance: 92 (%)	Description: Getting Information: Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
Importance: 84 (%)	Description: Making Decisions and Solving Problems: Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
Importance: 84 (%)	Description: Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships: Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
Importance: 84 (%)	Description: Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work: Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
Importance: 84 (%)	Description: Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates: Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
Importance: 80 (%)	Description: Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge: Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
Importance: 79 (%)	Description: Communicating with People Outside the Organization: Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
Importance: 73 (%)	Description: Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events: Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
Importance: 73 (%)	Description: Providing Consultation and Advice to Others: Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-, or process-related topics.
Importance: 72 (%)	Description: Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others: Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.
Importance: 70 (%)	Description: Developing Objectives and Strategies: Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.
Importance: 69 (%)	Description: Scheduling Work and Activities: Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
Importance: 69 (%)	Description: Processing Information: Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
Importance: 65 (%)	Description: Selling or Influencing Others: Convincing others to buy merchandise/goods or to otherwise change their minds or actions.
Importance: 65 (%)	Description: Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others: Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.
Importance: 64 (%)	Description: Training and Teaching Others: Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.
Importance: 63 (%)	Description: Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment: Providing documentation, detailed instructions, drawings, or specifications to tell others about how devices, parts, equipment, or structures are to be fabricated, constructed, assembled, modified, maintained, or used.
Importance: 63 (%)	Description: Developing and Building Teams: Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.
Importance: 61 (%)	Description: Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others: Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.

Specific Work Activities

Important Specific Work Activities How can you begin to build experience and skill doing these? This will help now, to begin preparing for this type of occupation. Specific Work Activities appear below:
Collaborate with others to develop or refine designs.
Collect data about customer needs.
Conduct market research.
Conduct research to inform art, designs, or other work.
Confer with clients to determine needs.
Create computer-generated graphics or animation.
Design layout of art or product exhibits, displays, or promotional materials.
Design layouts for print publications.
Draw detailed or technical illustrations.
Edit written materials.
Maintain records, documents, or other files.
Operate photographic developing or print production equipment.
Operate still or video cameras or related equipment.
Perform administrative or clerical tasks.
Research new technologies.
Review art or design materials.
Write advertising or promotional material.

Knowledge Required

Knowledge Required (in order of importance) For the Top 5 most important - How can you build experience and skill doing these? This will help now, to begin preparing for this type of occupation.
Importance (%)	Description
Importance: 92 (%)	Description: Design: Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
Importance: 86 (%)	Description: Computers and Electronics: Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
Importance: 86 (%)	Description: Fine Arts: Knowledge of the theory and techniques required to compose, produce, and perform works of music, dance, visual arts, drama, and sculpture.
Importance: 84 (%)	Description: Communications and Media: Knowledge of media production, communication, and dissemination techniques and methods. This includes alternative ways to inform and entertain via written, oral, and visual media.
Importance: 74 (%)	Description: English Language: Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, and rules of composition and grammar.
Importance: 72 (%)	Description: Sales and Marketing: Knowledge of principles and methods for showing, promoting, and selling products or services. This includes marketing strategy and tactics, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.
Importance: 70 (%)	Description: Customer and Personal Service: Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
Importance: 65 (%)	Description: Production and Processing: Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.

Essential Skills

Essential Skills (in order of importance) These are the foundational skills most central to success in this occupation. For the Top 5 most important, how can you begin building experience and confidence using these skills now?
Importance (%)	Description
Importance: 62 (%)	Description: Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Importance: 56 (%)	Description: Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Importance: 54 (%)	Description: Writing: Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Importance: 54 (%)	Description: Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
Importance: 54 (%)	Description: Active Learning: Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
Importance: 52 (%)	Description: Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.

Transferable Skills

Transferable Skills (in order of importance) These are skills that can transfer across occupations and industries. For the Top 5 most important, how can you strengthen these skills now so they support both this career and future career flexibility?
Importance (%)	Description
Importance: 52 (%)	Description: Social Perceptiveness: Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
Importance: 52 (%)	Description: Coordination: Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
Importance: 52 (%)	Description: Complex Problem Solving: Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
Importance: 52 (%)	Description: Judgment and Decision Making: Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Importance: 52 (%)	Description: Time Management: Managing one's own time and the time of others.

Day-in-the-Life Summaries

Day-in-the-Life Summaries
These summaries show the main types of activities you are likely to perform on a regular basis in this occupation. How can you imagine your typical workday — using these examples to see if this type of work fits you?

Activity: Collect data about consumer needs or opinions.

Activity: Communicate with others about specifications or project details.

Activity: Confer with clients to determine needs or order specifications.

Activity: Create visual designs or displays.

Activity: Edit written materials or documents.

Activity: Maintain current knowledge in area of expertise.

Activity: Maintain operational records.

Activity: Operate audiovisual or related equipment.

Activity: Operate industrial processing or production equipment.

Activity: Perform administrative or clerical activities.

Activity: Research technology designs or applications.

Activity: Study details of artistic productions.

Activity: Write material for artistic or commercial purposes.

Software Skills

Software Skills
These are examples of software tools commonly used in this occupation, organized from most to least important for your career preparation. How can you start learning or practicing the highest-priority tools so that you feel confident using them on the job?

High-Priority Tech Skills

Desktop publishing software:

Adobe InDesign

Graphical user interface development software:

Figma

Graphics or photo imaging software:

Adobe Creative Cloud software
Adobe Illustrator
Adobe Photoshop
Canva

Office suite software:

Microsoft Office software

Presentation software:

Microsoft PowerPoint

Spreadsheet software:

Microsoft Excel

Video creation and editing software:

Adobe After Effects

Web platform development software:

Cascading style sheets CSS
Hypertext markup language HTML

Widely Used Tech Skills

Video creation and editing software:

Adobe Premiere Pro

Emerging Tech Skills

Accounting software:

Intuit QuickBooks

Computer aided design CAD software:

Autodesk AutoCAD
Autodesk AutoCAD Civil 3D
Autodesk Revit
Bentley MicroStation

Data base user interface and query software:

Microsoft Access
Structured query language SQL

Document management software:

Adobe Acrobat

Electronic mail software:

Microsoft Outlook

Enterprise application integration software:

Extensible markup language XML

Graphics or photo imaging software:

Trimble SketchUp Pro

Object or component oriented development software:

jQuery

Operating system software:

Apple macOS
Microsoft Windows

Process mapping and design software:

Microsoft Visio

Project management software:

Microsoft Project

Web page creation and editing software:

Facebook
WordPress

Web platform development software:

AJAX
JavaScript
PHP

Word processing software:

Google Docs
Microsoft Word

General Software Tools

Cloud-based data access and sharing software:

Google Drive

Computer aided design CAD software (scroll table below):

Computer aided design and drafting CADD software

Computer aided design and drafting software CADD

Dassault Systemes CATIA

PTC Creo Parametric

SignCAD Systems SignCAD

Customer relationship management CRM software:

Oracle Eloqua

Data base user interface and query software:

FileMaker Pro

Desktop publishing software (scroll table below):

Adobe Distiller

Adobe FrameMaker

Adobe PageMaker

Microsoft Publisher

QuarkXPress

Development environment software:

Adobe ActionScript
Verilog

Document management software:

PDF readers

Electronic mail software:

IBM Notes

Graphics or photo imaging software:

Adobe FreeHand MX
Corel CorelDraw Graphics Suite
SmugMug Flickr

Internet browser software:

Google Chrome
Web browser software

Music or sound editing software:

Avid Pro Tools

Office suite software:

Corel WordPerfect Office Suite

Optical character reader OCR or scanning software:

Nuance OmniPage Professional

Presentation software:

Apple iWork Keynote
Apple Keynote
Google Slides

Sales and marketing software:

Google Ads

Video creation and editing software (scroll table below):

Apple Final Cut Pro

Apple iMovie

Maxon Cinema 4D

WeVideo

YouTube

Web page creation and editing software:

Adobe Dreamweaver
Adobe Macromedia HomeSite
LinkedIn
Social media sites

Web platform development software (scroll table below):

Adobe ColdFusion

Drupal

Dynamic hypertext markup language DHTML

Extensible hypertext markup language XHTML

Oracle JavaServer Pages JSP

Preparation Required

Preparation Required - How much preparation is needed to obtain this type of job?

Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed

A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.

Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.

Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.

Many of these occupations involve coordinating, supervising, managing, or training others. Examples include real estate brokers, sales managers, database administrators, graphic designers, conservation scientists, art directors, and cost estimators.

Education Required

Education Required - by frequency of educational attainment This shows you details about the level of education most commonly held by workers in this occupation. How can you begin planning the educational pathway that will prepare you best for this type of work?
Frequency of Attainment (%)	Level of Education
Frequency of Attainment: 65.0 (%)	Level of Education: Bachelor's Degree
Frequency of Attainment: 15.0 (%)	Level of Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Frequency of Attainment: 10.0 (%)	Level of Education: Master's Degree
Frequency of Attainment: 5.0 (%)	Level of Education: Some College Courses
Frequency of Attainment: 5.0 (%)	Level of Education: Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree)

Training and Experience Required

Training and Experience Required - by frequency of training and work experience attainment This section shows you how often different types of training and work experience are required for this occupation. How can you start gaining the kinds of experience and training that are most common for this type of work?
Frequency of Attainment (%)	Level of Training and Work Experience
Frequency of Attainment: 30.0 (%)	Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 2 years, up to and including 4 years
Frequency of Attainment: 15.0 (%)	Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 1 year, up to and including 2 years
Frequency of Attainment: 15.0 (%)	Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 10 years
Frequency of Attainment: 10.0 (%)	Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 3 months, up to and including 6 months
Frequency of Attainment: 10.0 (%)	Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 4 years, up to and including 6 years
Frequency of Attainment: 5.0 (%)	Level of Training and Work Experience: Up to and including 1 month
Frequency of Attainment: 5.0 (%)	Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 6 months, up to and including 1 year
Frequency of Attainment: 5.0 (%)	Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 6 years, up to and including 8 years
Frequency of Attainment: 5.0 (%)	Level of Training and Work Experience: Over 8 years, up to and including 10 years

Local Salary Information

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Please select a State to see State and National Salaries

Certifications

Certifications These are examples of certifications that may be important for this occupation. How can you begin exploring which certifications fit your goals and what steps you would need to take to earn them?

Adobe Certified Associate - Adobe Illustrator
Adobe Certified Associate - Adobe InDesign
Adobe Certified Associate - Adobe Photoshop
Adobe Certified Professional in Multiplatform Animation Using Adobe Animate
Adobe Certified Professional in Visual Effects & Motion Graphics Using Adobe After Effects

Professional Associations

Professional Associations These associations connect people who work in this occupation or related fields. How can you start using these associations to learn more, build your network, or find mentoring opportunities?

American Institute of Graphic Arts (AIGA)
Graphic Artists Guild
Graphic Communications Conference of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters
Printing United Alliance
Technical Association of the Graphic Arts (TAGA)

Job Listings

Job Listings and Similar Occupational Titles - scroll and click to identify common requirements, keywords, and skills in current job listings

Graphic Designers

Ad Designer (Advertising Designer)

Ad Layout Worker (Advertising Layout Worker)

Apparel Graphic Designer

Artist

Brand Designer

Catalogue Illustrator

Designer

Graphic Design Coordinator

Label Maker

Marketing Graphic Designer

Multimedia Designer

Multimedia Developer

Multimedia Specialist

Online Producer

Presentation Designer

Presentation Specialist

Production Artist

Production Designer

Production Graphic Designer

Publications Designer

Studio Designer

Technical Illustrator

Visual Designer

Visual Graphic Designer

Related Careers to Consider

Related Careers to Consider This lists up to 20 careers that might be of interest to you (related to what "Graphic Designers" do, what they know, and what they're called), ranked by best fit. How do these related occupations align with your interests, skills, and goals?
1 - Special Effects Artists and Animators
2 - Art Directors
3 - Web and Digital Interface Designers
4 - Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators
5 - Desktop Publishers
6 - Video Game Designers
7 - Set and Exhibit Designers
8 - Commercial and Industrial Designers
9 - Interior Designers
10 - Software Developers
11 - Fashion Designers
12 - Craft Artists
13 - Prepress Technicians and Workers
14 - Writers and Authors
15 - Film and Video Editors
16 - Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers
17 - Photographers
18 - Web Developers
19 - Fabric and Apparel Patternmakers
20 - Producers and Directors

Step 4 of 4: Career-Specific Resources (detailed and constantly updated)

This section contains detailed resources appropriate to "Graphic Designers". Explore these resources to start learning more. Links are constantly updated, so bookmark this page.

Videos

Here is a listing of videos related to this career. A great way to get a quick overview of the occupation.

Resumes

Here are resources that allow you to see example resumes for this occupation. It may be helpful to see examples from others who have this type of experience.

Job Description

Here are resources that provide job descriptions, which are vital for resume and interview preparation.

Interviews

There are many great resources that can help guide you through the interview process. These links provide help in preparing and performing an effective interview, specific to this occupation.

Salary Data

Here are links to help you identify salary ranges for this occupation. These data are necessary prior to effective salary negotiations.

Raises

Here are resources that help you to prepare to ask for a raise. These links will help you to prepare for the salary negotiation process.

Jobs

Here are resources that lead to links for actual jobs related to "Graphic Designers". Use these links to find a job.

Jobs

Here are resources that lead to links for actual jobs related to "Graphic Designers". Use these links to find a job.

Classifieds

There are various sources for job classified ads. These links should help get you started to find a job for this occupation.

Step-by-Step

Here are links to help guide you, step-by-step, to become a(n): Graphic Designers

Career Change

Here are resources to help you prepare for a career change. It is helpful to look carefully at the information provided in Section 3: Career Change (detailed previously on this page) prior to using these links. There is much to learn ...

LinkedIn®

Here are links to various posts and groups from LinkedIn ® that relate to this occupation. Great way to start building professional contacts in the field that might be most appropriate for you.

Career Path

Here are links to various resources to help you explore the career path related to the "Graphic Designers" occupation.