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How much does a graphic designer make per year and how long does it take to finish a project?

Aproxemently how much do they make and are there any differences

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How’s Answer

You can expect to start fresh out of school in the 40-50K range in most areas, perhaps 10-20K higher in large cities. You are starting at bottom but hopefully have the skills and talents to grow from there.

The deadlines and turnaround times expected for projects vary greatly depending on how complex the work is and often times how much the client has decided to spend (they may only be able to afford a few hours of effort).

You may only have an hour or two to design a simple tri-fold brochure or banner ad. With logos, you might get a few days. Catalogs and annual reports often take weeks or months with multiple milestone along the way and multiple rounds of client looks and revisions.

It is likely that you be assigned multiple projects simultaneously and are expected to manage your time bouncing between them to meet the deadlines.
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James Constantine’s Answer

Hey there, Esmeralda!

Did you know that the earnings of graphic designers can fluctuate quite a bit? This is due to a variety of factors like their experience, where they're located, and the industry they're in. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics has shared that in May 2020, the middle-of-the-road annual wage for graphic designers was $53,380. The lower 10% earned under $32,770, while the top 10% brought home over $89,210.

But remember, these numbers aren't set in stone. They can change depending on different circumstances. For example, graphic designers who work in specialized design services made an average annual wage of $54,170. Those in advertising, public relations, and related fields earned around $55,400 per year. However, graphic designers who work for newspapers, periodicals, books, and directories typically made about $44,040 per year.

The length of time it takes to wrap up a graphic design project can also swing quite a bit. It all depends on how intricate the project is, what the client needs, and how quickly the designer works. Simple tasks like creating logos or business card designs could be done in a few days or weeks. But more complicated projects, like creating a brand package or extensive marketing materials, might take several weeks or even months to finish.

For more information on graphic designer salaries and project timelines, check out these top three authoritative reference publications:

1. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (bls.gov)
2. The Creative Group (creativegroup.com)
3. AIGA - The Professional Association for Design (aiga.org)

These sources are great for getting accurate and dependable information.

Wishing you abundant blessings!
James Constantine.
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Laura’s Answer

Hello Esmeralda,
What a great question! I'm assuming by asking this question, you are possibly interested in pursuing a career in graphic design? If so, congratulations, and I'm glad you are doing some research on this career path. To answer your question to the best extent that I can, I had to Google 'annual salary for graphic designer in Phoenix, Arizona' as annual earnings differ from state to state. For your location, it is about $49,000-$70,000 annually according to Glassdoor (here's the link for where I got that estimation: https://www.glassdoor.com/Salaries/phoenix-graphic-designer-salary-SRCH_IL.0,7_IM678_KO8,24.htm)

To answer the second part of your question if there are any differences in earnings, yes, it does depend on what level you are at currently (junior/entry, mid, senior), location, company you work for, skill level, etc. There are a bunch of factors that determine your earnings, but don't let this discourage you from wanting to become a designer. The best part about being in this career field is you ALWAYS have the option to freelance around your area to get some experience and work to add to your portfolio. Along with that, you can come up with projects on your own to add, you are designing and creating which is half the battle.

I hope this answers your questions to help you get at least an idea of salary/earnings, and I wish you the best of luck in your design journey (if that is what you want to pursue).

-Laura M.
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