Do Graphic Designers Make Good Money?

Graphic design is becoming an increasingly more popular career choice and there are plenty of reasons why.

Graphic designers make up some of our favorite things like magazines, video games, billboards and much more!

If you’re on the artistic and creative side, you may have considered a career in graphic design and wondered if they make good money or not.

Well, the answer is it depends on a number of factors, but you can expect to net an average base salary of $58, 635 per year.

However, as mentioned – there are a number of factors that have to be considered which can wildly affect this salary, so our guide goes into much more detail of the graphic design career choice!

What Might Affect The Salary?

So, there are numerous things we need to consider before saying that graphic designers earn X amount. Here are some of the areas that may change your pay packet.

Experience In The Industry

As with most careers, the more experience you have before you formally apply for the role will play a big factor.

If you’ve been working at a company for a few years now, then you’ll likely get paid better than someone who just graduated from college.

The same applies to any previous work experience you may have had. You may have worked as a freelancer previously, or even done some freelance work while studying.

This could help you stand out when applying for jobs.

Skills And Qualifications

The next thing to look at is your skills and qualifications. Do you have a degree in graphic design? Have you studied it further?

These two things will go a long way towards helping you land a higher paying job.

Are you able to demonstrate your technical skill? Can you show off your portfolio? Are you able to explain what makes your designs unique?

All these things are important to employers and will help you stand out among other candidates.

Are you willing to learn new skills? It’s great if you already know how to create beautiful graphics, but do you also know how to use Photoshop, Illustrator and other programs?

If not, you may want to think about taking some classes to improve your knowledge.

The Company Itself

The company that pays the highest salary for graphic designers in the United States currently is Control4, but not all companies pay the same.

So, it’s worth looking around to see if there are any others that offer similar salaries.

Extra Benefits Are Offered

Sometimes, a company will offer less annual salary but will include something like a 401K as part of the benefits. Other times, they might offer free lunches or gym membership.

You should always ask about extra benefits offered by a company because it can really add up over time and may be worth more than simply having a higher salary.

Freelancing

Freelancing will allow you to dictate the amount of money you charge, but you will need experience and a good portfolio to be able to pitch successfully.

So, when it comes to asking if graphic designers earn good money, you need to take into account if you’re freelancing or not – because some freelancers will earn big money, whereas others will earn very low amounts.

How To Get A Job As A Graphic Designer

Now that you know what you’re getting yourself into, let’s take a look at how to actually get a job as a graphic designer.

Find Out What They Want

Before you start applying for jobs, you first need to find out what type of position you’d like. There are many types of positions available, including:

Freelance Jobs

These are usually short term contracts where you can work on projects for clients.

Freelancing is often used by people who don’t have a steady stream of income and need to supplement their income.

Temporary Work

This is usually offered through an agency or temp agency. Temporary work is ideal for those who are looking for a career change or are starting out.

The downside to this kind of work is that you won’t receive any form of health insurance.

Part Time/Full Time Positions

Choosing to accept a part-time role when you need a full time salary will be a conundrum, however you may be looking for a little extra income as a graphic designer, making part-time ideal.

Of course, the majority of people looking for a career in graphic design will be looking for full time positions.

Apply For Jobs Online

There are plenty of websites online that offer jobs for graphic designers.

Some of them require you to apply directly with the employer, while others only require you to fill out an application form.

You’ll then be given access to a list of jobs that match your profile.

Applying for jobs online has become increasingly popular recently, so it’s worth checking out a few sites before deciding which one to use.

Create Your Own Website

If you’ve got the skills, create your own website and start building your portfolio. This way, you can showcase your work and show potential employers exactly what you can do.

Tips For Getting The Job

Here are some tips for you to increase your chances of getting hired.

Keep Up With Technology

As technology advances, new tools and techniques emerge every day. It’s important to keep up to date with these developments, otherwise you could end up being left behind.

Take Classes

Taking classes is another great way to learn new things and improve your skill set. If you’re interested in learning Photoshop, there are numerous courses available online.