Graphic Design Degrees

Job opportunities for qualified people with graphic design degrees have been sturdy. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, graphic designers held 286,100 jobs in 2008, and their ranks are expected to grow 13 percent through 2018. That’s on track with the national average for all occupations.

A majority of graphic designers work in specialized design services, in advertising, in printing or related services, or for newspaper or other periodical publishers. Some designers also work to produce computer graphics for design firms, but these numbers are smaller. The steady demand for designers will be attributable to a variety of factors, including the need of advertisers and computer design firms to hire trained professionals. What’s more, designers with training in new media and digital technologies will be poised to take advantage of the growing projects dependent on online communication, including Web site design and online advertising. However, the growth spurt in online design will be counterbalanced by a decline in print-media job opportunities. As a result, competition for most graphic design jobs will be strong. It’s a good idea to supplement your graphic design degree with courses in marketing and management to offer a broad appeal.

The same government organization also recorded annual salaries for 2008, finding that the median income for people with a graphic design degree was $42,400. The bottom 10 percent of earners reported salaries of $26,110, while the top 10 percent earned $74,660.

The top five occupations by employment accounted for close to 40% of all working graphic designers. In first place were specialized design services, which employed 30,490 designers and paid an average of $50,190 per year. Right behind that were newspaper, periodical, book, and directory publishers; 28,580 graphic designers worked in this field for an average annual salary of $40,680. Next were advertising, public relations, and other related services with 24,270 designers earning $48,140 a year. After that were activities related to printing and support, which employed 18,160 designers and paid $38,910 a year. Rounding out the top five were computer systems design and related services, which only had 8,770 employees and paid an average annual salary of $53,390.

A graphic design degree is a great way to invest in your future, and jobs for qualified degree-holders will be steady in coming years.