Where AI can help
AI can explore references and generate initial composition or image variations.
Creative and media · A PICTURE OF THE OCCUPATION
Graphic Designers
Develop visual pieces to communicate an idea, brand or information. They turn goals and constraints into choices of form, type and image.
Observed AI exposureNot measured in this editionAnthropic · March 2026 study
Employment projection-1.7%2025–2035
Education typically neededBachelor’s degreeBLS · 2025
What the work looks like
- 01
Interpret a brief and identify the audience
- 02
Create visual concepts and alternatives
- 03
Choose type, color, composition and images
- 04
Present and revise work with clients or teams
- 05
Prepare files for different media and formats
An example of an output
A visual piece aligned with its goal, with versions and files ready for use.
Editorial example, not a reported worker interview. Tools vary by employer.Work environment
Agencies, in-house teams, studios and independent work. Incomplete briefs and review cycles are part of the routine.
O*NET® 31.0 ↗Pay & demand
Mean annual pay$70,560
Median annual pay$62,960
Mean is the arithmetic average; median is the midpoint of the wage distribution. National occupational figures are not starting-salary promises.
10th percentile$39,520
90th percentile$104,910
Percentiles describe the workforce distribution, not junior and senior salary bands. Excludes self-employed workers; see the source for coverage.
BLS · May 2025 · USD/year ↗People employed in 2025253,100
Projected openings per year16,000
Includes replacement needs over 2025–2035. These are projections, not open job advertisements.
BLS · 2025–2035 ↗AI & your work
What still needs judgment
Concept, cultural fit, usage rights and final communication decisions remain with the designer and client.
The task discussion is editorial interpretation. Only the exposure percentage is reproduced from the study; we do not assign percentages to individual tasks.
Anthropic · March 2026 study ↗You can also develop within this occupation
Use the exercise below to practice a real task, check AI outputs and identify where you need more depth. A career change is one option, not a requirement.
Take a fictional brief, produce three concepts and explain why each does or does not serve the audience.
What entry usually requires
- Education typically needed
- Bachelor’s degree
- Related experience typically needed
- None specified in BLS classification
- Typical on-the-job training
- None specified in BLS classification
Typical requirements in BLS data, not universal hiring rules. Verify the employer’s requirements and any applicable credential or license.
BLS · 2025 ↗Skills to build on
Visual directioncompositionlisteningproduction preparation
Tools you may encounter
Image and vector editors · typography · asset libraries · prototypes
Editorial example, not a reported worker interview. Tools vary by employer.
Where you could go next
These are researched starting points, not personalized recommendations or promises of lower AI exposure. Check the destination’s requirements and your own circumstances.
EDITORIAL TRANSITION$98,770 Mean annual pay
Web Developers ↗
Designing visual hierarchy can be a path toward implementing web experiences.
- What you can carry over
- Interfaces, prototypes and attention to detail
- What you would need to learn
- HTML, CSS, JavaScript, accessibility and integration
What to consider
An approved layout still needs to work with data, keyboards, errors and different devices.
Explore the work before committing
1
Try a practical task
Take a fictional brief, produce three concepts and explain why each does or does not serve the audience.
2
Read real job requirements
Use the official occupation title below to search current listings. Check duties, location, experience and compensation. External search results have not been verified as active by this directory.
Graphic DesignersSearch external job listings ↗3
Check your assumptions with someone doing the work
Ask which tasks take the most time, how AI changed the routine and what evidence of skill helped them enter. Compare their experience with the published data.
My Next Move ↗Sources & data notes
O*NET® 31.0 · 27-1024.00 ↗BLS · May 2025 · USD/year ↗BLS · 2025–2035 ↗Anthropic · March 2026 study ↗Source & definition ↗
Occupational descriptions adapt the O*NET® 31.0 Database, U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, under CC BY 4.0. Is my job toast? translated, shortened and supplemented the material. USDOL/ETA has not approved or endorsed these changes. CC BY 4.0 ↗