If you’re a beginner in the world of graphic design, you might be wondering: “How do I land high-paying jobs as a new designer?” graphic design jobs The good news is that with the right skills, strategy, and mindset, you can break into this creative field and start earning a competitive salary early in your career.
Graphic design is a versatile and growing industry, offering a wide range of opportunities for both seasoned professionals and those just starting out. While the design world can seem intimidating, beginners have a wealth of opportunities to break in and build a rewarding career.
In this guide, we’ll explore high-paying graphic design jobs suitable for beginners, what skills you need to get started, and tips on how to land your first (or next) high-paying design job.
1. What Does a High-Paying Graphic Design Job Look Like?
Before we dive into specific roles, let’s clarify what constitutes a “high-paying” graphic design job. Generally, this means jobs that offer salaries above the industry average, typically with additional perks like health benefits, paid time off, and growth opportunities.
In the U.S., the average salary for a graphic designer varies widely depending on factors like location, experience, and specialization. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for graphic designers was around $53,380 in 2022. However, certain sectors of the design industry can offer salaries far above this median, especially as you gain experience or specialize in high-demand areas.
2. High-Paying Graphic Design Jobs for Beginners
While most entry-level designers start off with lower salaries, there are several high-paying niches that beginners can target. Here are some of the most promising options:
1. UX/UI Designer
- Salary Range: $60,000 – $90,000+ (varies depending on location and experience)
- Description: User Experience (UX) and User Interface (UI) design are among the highest-paying areas of graphic design. As a UX/UI designer, you’ll focus on creating seamless digital experiences for users across websites and apps. UX/UI design is highly valued because it combines creativity with functionality, and businesses are increasingly aware of the need for top-notch user experiences.
- Skills Needed: Wireframing, prototyping, user research, Adobe XD, Figma, Sketch, and HTML/CSS basics.
2. Motion Graphics Designer
- Salary Range: $55,000 – $80,000+
- Description: Motion graphic designers create animations, video graphics, and multimedia presentations. With the growing demand for video content across social media platforms, entertainment, and corporate marketing, motion graphics designers are in high demand. You can work in a variety of industries, including entertainment, advertising, and tech.
- Skills Needed: Adobe After Effects, Premiere Pro, Cinema 4D, animation techniques, storytelling, and visual effects.
3. Brand Designer
- Salary Range: $50,000 – $85,000+
- Description: Brand designers focus on building and maintaining the visual identity of a company or product. This includes designing logos, color schemes, typography, and other elements that contribute to a brand’s overall look and feel. Strong brand design is essential for businesses looking to stand out in a competitive market.
- Skills Needed: Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign, branding principles, typography, and a deep understanding of color psychology.
4. Web Designer
- Salary Range: $50,000 – $75,000+
- Description: Web designers focus on creating the look and feel of websites. While this role may overlap with UX/UI design, web designers typically focus more on the visual aspects, layout, and structure of the site. As businesses continue to invest in online presence, web designers are in high demand, especially those who can design responsive, mobile-friendly sites.
- Skills Needed: HTML, CSS, WordPress, design software (Photoshop, Figma, Sketch), understanding of responsive design principles.
5. Freelance Graphic Designer
- Salary Range: Varies greatly ($40,000 – $90,000+)
- Description: Freelance graphic designers have the potential to earn well, depending on how well they market themselves and manage their clients. As a freelancer, you have the freedom to choose projects and set your rates, but it also requires hustle, excellent communication skills, and a strong portfolio. High-paying freelance opportunities often come from well-established companies or large-scale projects.
- Skills Needed: Excellent portfolio, time management, self-promotion, client communication, and a versatile skillset (branding, web design, print design, etc.).
6. Packaging Designer
- Salary Range: $55,000 – $75,000+
- Description: Packaging design is an often-overlooked but lucrative field. Packaging designers create visual designs for product packaging, which plays a huge role in marketing and consumer decision-making. Companies in the food, beverage, beauty, and consumer goods industries regularly need packaging designers.
- Skills Needed: Adobe Illustrator, 3D modeling software, packaging design principles, printing techniques, and attention to detail.
3. Essential Skills for High-Paying Design Jobs
As a beginner, you’ll need to develop a solid foundation in graphic design principles as well as learn specialized skills that will set you apart from the competition. Here are a few key skills that can help you secure high-paying design jobs:
1. Master Design Software
- Adobe Creative Suite: Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, After Effects, and XD are the industry standard. Familiarity with these tools is essential.
- Web Design Tools: Figma, Sketch, and Adobe XD are popular tools for web and UI/UX design.
- Motion Design: Learning motion graphics software like After Effects and Cinema 4D can significantly increase your earning potential.
2. Strong Portfolio
Your portfolio is the most important tool for landing high-paying jobs. Even if you’re a beginner, focus on creating a portfolio that showcases your best work and demonstrates your versatility. Include personal projects, design experiments, and any freelance or contract work you’ve done.
3. Focus on User-Centered Design
Whether you’re designing websites, apps, or branding materials, focusing on the user’s experience is key. Understanding how to create intuitive and functional designs will make you stand out in the competitive design job market.
4. Continual Learning
The design world evolves rapidly. Stay updated with trends, new tools, and emerging technologies. Join design communities, attend workshops, and take online courses to continually enhance your skills.
4. How to Land Your First High-Paying Graphic Design Job
Now that you know which high-paying graphic design jobs are available for beginners, here are a few tips for landing your first gig:
1. Build a Strong Portfolio
A diverse and well-curated portfolio is your most powerful asset. Even if you haven’t worked with clients yet, create personal projects, redesign existing websites or brands, or volunteer your services for non-profits. Show a range of design styles and highlight your best work.
2. Network and Build Relationships
Networking can play a huge role in landing high-paying design jobs. Attend industry events, join design communities (online and offline), and connect with people in the field. Leverage platforms like LinkedIn, Dribbble, and Behance to showcase your work and make connections with potential clients or employers.
3. Freelance to Gain Experience
If you’re not ready to dive into full-time positions, freelancing can be an excellent way to gain experience and build your portfolio while earning money. Platforms like Upwork, Fiverr, and 99designs can help you find your first clients.
4. Leverage Job Boards
Look for job postings on industry-specific job boards such as We Work Remotely, Behance Jobs, and Design Jobs Board. Many companies are specifically looking for entry-level or junior designers, and some may even be willing to offer training and mentorship.
5. Develop a Niche
Specializing in a particular area of design, such as UX/UI, branding, or motion graphics, can help you stand out. Clients often pay more for designers with expertise in a specific field because they know their work will meet the required standards.
5. Conclusion
As a beginner graphic designer, there are plenty of opportunities to land high-paying jobs right out of the gate. By building your skills, creating an impressive portfolio, and focusing on high-demand design fields like UX/UI, motion graphics, and branding, you can start earning a competitive salary while doing what you love.
