We used the latest data and insights to identify the highest paying graphics design jobs so that you can learn and earn more.
Ever wonder what the highest-paying graphic design jobs are? You’re not alone.
Many graphic design students and professionals have asked themselves this question, but few have done enough research to find out the answer.
So, we decided to do the hard work for you. We looked at data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Glassdoor, PayScale, and other top career sites to create a list of the top 10 highest-paying jobs for graphics design majors.
We also included information about each job title to help you determine if it’s the right fit for you.
Let’s dive in!
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Table of Contents
#10. Concept Artist
How much do they get paid?
- Source: Glassdoor
- Low Range: $34,000 per year
- High Range: $90,000 per year
- Median Pay: $55,490 per year
What do they do?
A concept artist is a person who creates visual ideas for video games and other forms of media. They may create illustrations, storyboards, or other visual representations of characters and scenes in movies, books, comics, television shows, video games, and more.
These graphic designers work closely with writers and directors to ensure that their ideas are compatible with those of others involved in the production.
What degrees and skills are usually required?
Employers look for candidates with bachelor’s degrees in art, graphic design, or computer science.
Some positions may require additional experience or a portfolio of work samples that demonstrate artistic skill and technical proficiency. You can also get this job without a degree, especially if you have relevant work experience.
Who’s hiring for this job?
Many companies hire concept artists, including:
- Video game companies
- Animation studios
- Special effects companies
- Film production companies
What is the best way to get this job?
The first step to getting a job as a concept artist is to gain relevant skills. You can do this by taking a graphic design course.
Once you have the necessary skills, it’s important to build your portfolio of work samples by creating concept art for personal projects or volunteer work. You can also improve your chances by getting your portfolio reviewed by an art director from a company that hires concept artists.
Should you become a concept artist?
#9. 3D Designer
How much do they get paid?
- Source: Glassdoor
- Low Range: $38,000 per year
- High Range: $90,000 per year
- Median Pay: $58,741 per year
What do they do?
3D designers create models and renderings of products for use in advertising, marketing, and manufacturing. They may also create virtual environments for games or movies.
What degrees and skills are usually required?
This job requires a bachelor’s degree in art, computer graphics, or graphic design. You may also need skills in 3D modeling software and rendering programs.
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Who’s hiring for this job?
Companies that need 3D designers include design firms, advertising agencies, game developers, and movie studios.
What is the best way to get this job?
Companies often hire 3D designers with experience in computer graphics. If you don’t have any work experience, try volunteering at a design firm or offering to do freelance work for an established designer.
To find a job as a 3D designer, you can look for openings on websites like Monster.com and Indeed.com. You could also try to get a job at a design firm or ad agency that creates products with 3D graphics.
How do you become a 3d designer?
#8. Industrial Designer
How much do they get paid?
- Source: Payscale
- Low Range: $45,000 per year
- High Range: $91,000 per year
- Median Pay: $61,673 per year
What do they do?
An industrial designer creates the look and feel of products. They ensure their designs are functional and can be made with high-quality materials. Some of the products these artists design include cars, computers, furniture, clothing, toys, shoes, and jewelery.
A career in industrial design can be an exciting and rewarding opportunity for those with an eye for aesthetics and the desire to help bring innovation into the world through their work.
What degrees and skills are usually required?
Industrial designers usually need a bachelor’s degree in industrial design or a related field, such as architecture or engineering.
They may also have experience working with 3D modeling software and CAD (computer-aided design) programs. Skills that are helpful in this field include problem-solving, creativity, communication skills, and attention to detail.
Who’s hiring for this job?
Industrial product designers may find jobs with manufacturing companies specializing in cars, appliances, and furniture. They may also work for design firms or advertising agencies specializing in product design.
What is the best way to get this job?
Industrial designers often get their first job as entry-level employees at a company or agency.
You may start performing tasks such as sketching designs, creating CAD models, and researching materials and manufacturing methods. As you gain experience, you can move up to jobs with more responsibility and higher salaries.
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What’s it like to be an industrial designer?
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#7. Video Game Designer
How much do they get paid?
- Source: Payscale
- Low Range: $41,000 per year
- High Range: $103,000 per year
- Median Pay: $66,648 per year
What do they do?
A video game designer is a person who creates the design of a video game. This includes everything from character and environment designs to level layouts. Video game designers work with programmers, artists, and producers to build a game from scratch.
What degrees and skills are usually required?
Most employers require you to have a bachelor’s degree in game design or computer science. However, some companies will hire people with experience alone.
Who’s hiring for this job?
Video game designers can find jobs at video game companies, such as Electronic Arts and Activision Blizzard. They also work for mobile gaming companies and independent studios.
What is the best way to get this job?
The degree you need to become a video game designer is usually a bachelor’s in computer science or game design. This gives you important skills for video game designers, such as digital art and programming.
Once you get a degree, you can look for jobs with game companies. You can also work as an intern at a gaming company to get experience before you start looking for a full-time job.
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What’s it like to be a video designer?
#6. Application Developer
How much do they get paid?
- Source: Payscale
- Low Range: $52,000 per year
- High Range: $103,000 per year
- Median Pay: $72,376 per year
What do they do?
An application developer is a software developer who creates, tests, and maintains applications. They design and develop applications on computers, mobile devices, or the web.
What degrees and skills are usually required?
Most application developers need a bachelor’s degree in computer science or software development. Companies also look for experience with web development, database design, and coding languages. Other skills may include data modeling, testing, debugging, and documentation.
Who’s hiring for this job?
Application developers are in demand across all industries as companies develop new applications. They’re most commonly found at software development and technology companies, but they can also work for government agencies and other organizations.
What is the best way to get this job?
You can take a college course in computer science, software development, or IT to gain the skills you need to become an application developer. You can also learn these skills through self-study, but it takes longer and may be less effective.
Once you have the skills, you can find jobs on job boards. You can also network with other application developers and companies that hire them to find out about open positions.
What’s it like to be an application developer?
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#5. Visual Designer
How much do they get paid?
- Source: Glassdoor
- Low Range: $48,000 per year
- High Range: $117,000 per year
- Median Pay: $74,251 per year
What do they do?
A visual designer is responsible for the look of a website, application, or other digital platforms. They create the graphics that users see when visiting your site. These graphic designers ensure their visual design is consistent with your brand guidelines and any other standards you may have set.
What degrees and skills are usually required?
A degree in graphic design or a related field is typically required. Employers may also want to see some experience with Adobe Creative Suite and other software used for graphic design. Some employers may prefer to see you have some experience with creating websites and other digital platforms.
In this field, creativity is the most important skill, as a visual designer is responsible for developing new ideas for each project they’re working on.
Who’s hiring for this job?
The following are just a few of the companies that may be looking for visual designers:
- Advertising agencies
- App development companies
- Branding firms
- Corporate communications companies
- Design firms
- Web design agencies.
What is the best way to get this job?
If you’re interested in becoming a visual designer, the best way to get started is by taking some classes at a local community college or trade school. They will cover everything from basic design principles and color theory to more advanced topics such as typography and web design.
You can also gain valuable experience by volunteering for local projects or working on your own personal portfolio site.
What’s it like to be a visual designer?
#4. Digital Designer
How much do they get paid?
- Source: Glassdoor
- Low Range: $52,000 per year
- High Range: $121,000 per year
- Median Pay: $78,937 per year
What do they do?
A digital designer uses the power of technology to create interactive designs that are used online or on mobile devices. They use graphic design and visual communication skills to create interfaces, websites, and other media people can use to interact with.
What degrees and skills are usually required?
A bachelor’s degree in a related field is typically required for this position. However, many companies will hire entry-level designers with non-design degrees but prefer experienced candidates to be their senior designers.
Some companies may also require you to complete an internship or apprenticeship before you can be hired. A portfolio website showing off your best work helps during the interview process.
Who’s hiring for this job?
Companies that hire designers include advertising agencies, marketing, and tech companies. Those looking for a job in this field should look for openings on job boards like Monster or CareerBuilder.
What is the best way to get this job?
If you’re interested in getting a job as a graphic designer, it’s important to have the right skills and experience. Though most employers seek applicants with at least some experience, those who have graduated from design school can still find opportunities.
What’s it like to be a graphic designer?
#3. Design Technologist
How much do they get paid?
- Source: Glassdoor
- Low Range: $55,000 per year
- High Range: $127,000 per year
- Median Pay: $82,969 per year
What do they do?
A design technologist is a hybrid of a designer and a developer. They create user-friendly websites, apps, and other products that are easy to use and aesthetically pleasing. Their main focus is on ensuring that their work’s technical aspects are up to par with their design skills.
What degrees and skills are usually required?
According to research by Zippia, 46% of these technologists have an associate degree. The most common degrees are in graphic design, drafting and design. A bachelor’s degree may also be required for some positions.
Who’s hiring for this job?
Employers of design technologists are IT companies, engineering firms, publishing companies, and advertising agencies.
What is the best way to get this job?
The best way to get this graphic design job is to become proficient in technical skills and design. It’s also important to gain experience by working in a design or IT company or taking on freelance projects.
What’s it like to be a design technologist?
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#2. User Experience Designer
How much do they get paid?
- Source: Glassdoor
- Low Range: $76,000 per year
- High Range: $182,000 per year
- Median Pay: $116,693 per year
What do they do?
User experience design is a newer field focusing on making technology easy to use. It involves researching how people interact with products, such as websites and apps, then making changes to those products based on what you learned about them.
These designers make sure that products are easy to use and don’t have any design flaws that would frustrate users. They might do this by testing out the product with real people, then coming up with ways to improve it.
What degrees and skills are usually required?
You can work in various design jobs without a degree, but if you want to advance into higher-paying positions, it’s usually helpful to get some kind of training.
Some companies look for a formal degree in graphic design, while others want to see that you have taken courses at a vocational school or community college.
Who’s hiring for this job?
UX design jobs are available in a wide range of industries, from software to consumer goods. In general, companies that offer products or services online need UX designers more than those that don’t.
What is the best way to get this job?
There are many ways to get a job as a UX designer. You can begin by searching on Indeed, Monster, and other job sites specializing in UX design jobs.
You can also post your resume on specific websites that cater to designers, such as Dribbble and Behance. Another option is to look for freelance work on Upwork or Craigslist.
Should you become a user experience designer?
#1. Creative Director
How much do they get paid?
- Source: Glassdoor
- Low Range: $84,000 per year
- High Range: $257,000 per year
- Median Pay: $145,237 per year
What do they do?
A creative director is a senior-level position responsible for overseeing all aspects of the design process. This includes hiring designers, managing projects, and ensuring they are completed on time and within budget.
What degrees and skills are usually required?
Creative directors typically have bachelor’s degrees in design, art, or computer science. They may also have additional certifications in their field. These professionals also need to be good leaders and communicators who can manage multiple projects simultaneously.
While most employers prefer experienced candidates, some companies hire creative directors with little to no experience as long as they have an impressive portfolio.
Who’s hiring for this job?
Creative directors are often found in advertising and marketing firms but may also work for design firms or other companies. These graphic design professionals can also work as freelancers.
What is the best way to get this job?
Some graduates get their start by working as an assistant to creative directors. This position often requires the employee to take on many responsibilities, such as helping with projects and managing other employees.
Other candidates try to get their foot in the door by creating impressive portfolios of work and applying for jobs online. You should be well-rounded and have a wide range of skills that can benefit any company you work for.
How do you become a creative director?
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Conclusion
If you’re looking for a career in graphics design, there’s no better place to start than with the highest-paying jobs.
Whether you want to be an art director or a graphic designer, these jobs offer flexibility, creativity, and a solid paycheck. You’ll be able to work at home (or anywhere else) and have the opportunity to impact the world around you.
Therefore, you should take the time to learn about these jobs before you jump into them. They can be difficult, but with some training and practice, they can be incredibly rewarding.
