This article will discuss how much do graphic designers earn in Australia and what it takes to become one. Many creatives may not realize the sheer amount of time, energy, and money they will need to spend to become a graphic designer.

Most are not independently wealthy, and can ill afford full time graphic design jobs that are paid out of their regular income, and the scope of this article would not be able to fully convey that.

There are many jobs that graphic designers do on the side, and those can bring in some extra income, so the income they do earn has to be understood and balanced against the financial and emotional wellbeing of their family.

A good graphic designer is dedicated to what they do and would happily take an extra job and put money in the bank if they can’t work as much as they would like.

“It is pretty well known that design jobs are great for those who excel at them, and that is often the case. But, for most of the people who are lucky enough to be good designers, the job market is still a little hostile.

This is especially true for less experienced designers, but even mid-level designers may find it hard to find work, or that they have to take jobs in very strange places. “

With that in mind, here are some of the top salaries available to designers and what you need to start your own design company to earn them:

1. Creative Director

Creative directors are responsible for planning and executing design projects, usually on a team. They manage the business aspect of your design company in addition to your creative work.

A creative director must be strategic, driven, and organized, because they are part of a larger team that are also working on a budget.

If you want to become a creative director, you need to be willing to work long hours, make bold decisions, and drive positive change through your design company.

You also need a thick skin, because you will often come across negative comments or criticism, so you should be comfortable with that.

Couple that with a design background, a good eye for color, and a strong eye for details, and you will definitely be able to make a name for yourself as a creative director.

Depending on your personal and professional style, you will need to have a graduate degree or a few years of experience under your belt before applying for this position.

Average Salary: $110,000

2. Illustrator

Illustrators have different but similar skill sets to other graphic designers. Illustrators work on all kinds of projects including web design, logo design, book covers, advertisements, fashion catalogues, and more.

They typically use Adobe Creative Suite to create their designs and therefore need to be familiar with that program.

If you want to become an illustrator, you need a good eye for detail and you need to be resourceful.

You also need a good eye for business and you should be able to handle a lot of things on your own, including figuring out the best way to manage your clients and business.

Illustrators are people, too and just like other graphic designers, they want to make a good living.

Average Salary: $45,000

3. Web Designer

You do not need to have any web design experience to become a web designer. However, you will need a good knowledge of HTML, CSS, and Javascript.

Web designers are responsible for creating the design for your website. They will also work with your clients and make sure that everything you need to access the website is in place.

This will require a lot of experience with web design. For instance, the more experience you have with HTML and CSS, the better, but if you’re just starting out, consider getting an HTML developer to help you get started.

Average Salary: $55,000

4. Editorial Designer

Editorial designers are responsible for creating the layout and design for magazines, newspapers, and blogs. They design the overall look and feel of your publication, and they usually collaborate with the rest of your team to create the pages and articles.

Editorial designers usually have a good eye for color and they usually have a solid understanding of composition and typography. They also need to have an understanding of Web design to create the articles and updates for your blog or magazine.

Average Salary: $80,000

5. Web Designer

Just like the rest of the graphic designers in this article, you do not need to have any web design experience to be a web designer. However, you will need a good understanding of HTML and CSS.

In addition, you will need to have good eye for composition and typography. Another important aspect is your ability to think on your feet and respond to your clients and the need of the website.

With the right amount of experience, you will be able to earn a good income as a web designer.

Average Salary: $40,000