Graphic Artist Salary: Earn More!
By Kelly Richardson
kelly.richardson@graphicdesignschoolreview.com
Graphic Design School Review Columnist
If you're considering a career as a graphic artist, you're probably wondering what type of salary you can expect for your work. Let's summarize the most popular graphic artist positions and the salary that each commands. Then we'll get to the good stuff-how you can raise your own salary schedule.
Career Spotlight: Graphic Artist Salary Statistics
Graphic artists come in all shapes and sizes. That is to say, there are a variety of positions in the industry that fall under the "graphic artist" umbrella. The salary that these positions earn is based on a variety of factors, including specialty, geographic location, and market conditions. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports the following salary projections for the various types of graphic artists in the field.
- Architectural and Engineering. This is a highly technical subdivision of graphic artist that typically earns almost $43,000 per year. Architectural and engineering artists are typically members of a development firm.
- Specialized Design. The field of specialized design includes graphic artist services for TV and the Internet. The typical salary for professionals in this field can be nearly $42,000 per year.
- Advertising. Graphic artists who work in the advertising sector create print and Web materials for selling products and services. Advertising graphic artists typically earn between $40,000 and $41,000 per year.
How to Raise Your Own Salary
Of course, everyone wants to know the magic formula for raising their salary potential, but there is no magic in these common sense suggestions for increasing the value of your graphic artist services. It's just good business!
- Say No Sometimes. If you want to earn a higher salary, you simply need to say no to low paying assignments and focus on landing the bigger fish. However, if you're just starting out, you may need all the work you can get.
- Get Specific Training. Another way to increase your graphic artist salary is to get professional training in a skill that is high demand. Consider earning your graphic design degree. If you already have one, take graphic design courses the update your skills! The money you spend on tuition will be returned in the form of higher fees for your services.
The graphic artist profession has many opportunities to earn a high salary. Earning your training in a high-demand sector will ensure that you're paid well for your work.
Source
US Bureau of Labor Statistics
About the Author
Kelly Richardson covers the local education and technology scenes in major cities across the country. His articles appear in educational journals, periodicals, and e-zines.
