Employment for graphic designers is expected to grow 3 percent from 2018 to 2028, according to the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL). Companies and other organizations for which graphic design was once too time consuming or costly are now sprucing up company newsletters and magazines and developing or improving Web sites, among other things, requiring the skills of design professionals.

Employment should be especially strong for those involved with computer graphics, multimedia, and animation. As computer graphic and Web-based technology continues to advance, there will be a need for well-trained graphic designers. In fact, employment for graphic designers who work for software publishers will grow by 17 percent through 2028. The DOL says that "companies are continuing to increase their digital presence, requiring graphic designers to help create visually appealing and effective layouts of Web sites."

Graphic designers work in many industries, and the employment outlook varies greatly by industry. In addition to strong growth at software publishers, employment for graphic designers will be good in the construction industry; at professional, scientific, and technical services firms; at computer systems design and related services; and in the health care and social services industries. On the other hand, job opportunities with newspaper, periodical, book, and directory publishers will decline by 22 percent through 2028.

The careers of web designer, user experience designer, and user interface designer were identified as "Hot Jobs" in The Creative Group's 2020 Salary Guide.

Because the design field appeals to many talented individuals, competition is expected to be strong in all areas. Beginners and designers with only average talent or without formal education and technical skills may encounter some difficulty in finding a job.

Graphic Designers

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Introduction

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Earnings

Work Environment

Outlook

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