7 Entry-Level Graphic Design Jobs + How to Land Yours

Key takeaways

With some training and experience, you may be able to find entry-level graphic design jobs in a variety of industries.

• Graphic designers often work for companies designing things such as logos, social media graphics, brochures, ebooks, product packaging, and, in some cases, the look and feel of the entire brand.

• Graphic design is a great career path for exploring your creative side, using technology to bring your ideas to life, and adding value to a company’s marketing and branding efforts.

• You can apply to entry-level graphic design roles, such as junior art director, logo designer, web designer, advertising designer, digital designer, and 3D designer, to put your graphic design skills to work and begin gaining professional experience. 

Explore entry-level graphic design jobs and how you can prepare to start your career using your graphic design skills. If you’re ready to build more in-demand skills, consider enrolling in the Google UX Design Professional Certificate. You will have the opportunity to apply foundational user experience (UX) concepts while creating a professional UX portfolio, including end-to-end projects, to use during your job search.

Entry-level graphic design jobs: What you should know

An entry-level job in graphic design requires little or no prior experience and taps your graphic design skills to communicate visually with an audience. Graphic designers often work for companies designing such things as logos, graphics for social media and other marketing efforts, brochures, e-books, product packaging, and in some cases, the look and feel of the entire brand. 

Graphic design is a great career path for exploring your creative side, using technology to bring your ideas to life, and adding value to a company’s marketing and branding efforts. As a graphic designer, you can think of yourself as a visual storyteller, conveying a brand’s message and evoking consumers’ emotions. 

As you launch your job search, be sure to stay informed about trends in graphic design. For example, CreativeBloq and VistaPrint project that trends like artificial intelligence (AI)enhanced creativity, minimalism, self-expression through surrealism, jewel and earthy-toned color palettes, imperfections, and richly layered visual branding may be more prominent [1, 2].

Where to find entry-level graphic design jobs

Graphic design is a versatile field. With some graphic design training and experience, you may be able to find entry-level jobs in a variety of industries. For example, as of January 2025, Glassdoor has entry-level graphic designer job listings in IT, media and communication, pharmaceutical and biotechnology, real estate, entertainment and recreation, restaurants and food service, manufacturing, human resources, retail, and more. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects that graphic design job openings will average 20,000 annually from 2024 through 2034 [3]. 

Here are some insights from Piktochart's global survey of over 1,000 professionals on the impact of graphic design on different industries [4]:

• Human resources teams use graphic design most often for presentations, videos, and reports: 41 percent of HR teams create their graphic designs in-house.

• Health care teams use graphic design most often for social media graphics, presentations, flyers, and brochures: 62 percent of survey respondents said that graphic designs help customers better understand products and services.

• Retail teams use graphic design most often for presentations, posters, and social media graphics: 57 percent of retail businesses reported that graphic designs improved brand awareness.

Is a graphic designer an entry-level job?

Many employers look for a combination of education, experience, and skills. You may be able to get an entry-level graphic design job after getting your degree. You may also have opportunities after pursuing training opportunities, such as certifications, online courses designed to build relevant skills, and internships. 

7 graphic design entry-level jobs 

It’s a good idea to research entry-level positions early in your job search to get a feel for career opportunities that may fit your goals. Below, you’ll find seven graphic design job titles along with information about average salaries in the US for up to one year of experience, responsibilities, requirements, and career advancement. Use these as a model for your research process. 

* All salary information represents the median total pay from Glassdoor as of October 2025. These figures include base salary and additional pay, which may represent profit-sharing, commissions, bonuses, or other compensation.

1. Entry-level graphic designer

• What they make: $61,000 [5]

• What they do: Design digital and print collateral, edit images, work with graphic design software, maintain a company’s brand standards

• Skills and qualifications they need: Bachelor’s degree in graphic design, communications, or related field, knowledge of graphic design software, analytical skills 

• Where to go from here: Graphic designer or senior graphic designer 

2. Junior art director

• What they make: $88,000 [6]

• What they do: Execute creative briefs, ensure brand standards, support the creative development process, offer constructive feedback on concepts and designs, create architectural designs or storyboards for art spaces 

• Skills and qualifications they need: Bachelor’s degree in art, graphic design, or related field (master’s or PhD may be required for some positions), knowledge of graphic design software, knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite, business experience in sales or marketing

• Where to go from here: Art director, senior art director

3. Logo designer

• What they make: $63,000 [7]

• What they do: Create two-dimensional images (logos) to represent brands, research industries, identify trends, plan and execute product presentations

• Skills and qualifications they need: Bachelor’s degree in graphic design, understanding of how businesses and brands operate, knowledge of graphic design software 

• Where to go from here: Brand designer, brand strategist, graphic designer

4. Entry-level web designer

• What they make: $56,000 [8]

• What they do: Use graphic design and computer programming to create a website’s appearance and layout to appeal to a target audience

• Skills and qualifications they need: Bachelor’s degree in computer science or a related field, experience with programming languages, knowledge of graphic design software

• Where to go from here: Web designer, senior web designer, UX/UI designer 

5. Advertising designer 

• What they make: $72,000 [9]

• What they do: Develop advertising campaigns, work with graphic designers to create layouts, research target markets 

• Skills and qualifications they need: Bachelor’s degree in advertising, graphic design, marketing, or related field, project management, knowledge of design software

• Where to go from here: Senior ad designer, creative director 

6. Digital designer

• What they make: $89,000 [10]

• What they do: Develop designs to be viewed on a screen or digital interface, support other creative teams, stay current with industry trends

• Skills and qualifications they need: Fluency in InDesign, Photoshop, and Illustrator; proficiency with AutoCAD; bachelor's degree in design, computer science, or related field

• Where to go from here: Senior designer, lead designer

7. 3D designer

• What they make: $98,000 [11]

• What they do: Collaborate with tech art and design team; create 3D designs, graphics, and animations

• Skills and qualifications they need: Proficiency in CAD programs, ZBrush, 3D Studio Max; bachelor's degree in art, design, computer graphics, computer science, or related field

• Where to go from here: 3D animator, senior 3D artist, lead 3D artist

How to get graphic designer entry-level jobs 

Once you settle on a career path in graphic design, begin the process of finding an entry-level position. Focus your efforts by following the steps below: 

1. Get a graphic design education.

While some companies don’t require graphic design applicants to have a degree in this field, getting a degree in graphic design (or a related field) may open up more opportunities. You can extend your formal education with courses or certifications in specific topics related to graphic design. 

Knowledge and skills you may need include:

• Visual form basics, such as color, contrast, and visual hierarchy

• Knowledge of design software such as Adobe Photoshop or Adobe InDesign

• Attention to detail

• Creativity

• Organization

• Ability to meet deadlines 

2. Gain graphic design experience.

Having some graphic design experience before you apply to jobs can be beneficial, even for entry-level positions, as it can demonstrate your familiarity with the field and your ability to complete real-world design projects. 

Here are four ways to gain experience: 

• Scour job sites for internships and contract freelance work and apply. 

• Set up a freelance profile on sites like Fiverr, Toptal, and Upwork. 

• Network at professional events and conferences to discover graphic design opportunities. 

• Volunteer to design graphics for schools, nonprofit organizations, or others in your network. 

Read more: 27 Side Hustle Ideas and How to Get Started

As you gain graphic design experience, create a portfolio that showcases your best work. 

3. Enhance your graphic design resume.

Before applying for jobs, you need to have a resume that showcases your skills, experience, and training in graphic design. Google “[industry] keywords” or “graphic design keywords” to include in your resume so recruiters who use applicant tracking systems (ATS) to process incoming resumes can find it. 

Be sure to include a link to your graphic design portfolio in your resume. 

Read more: Creating a Resume for Your First Job (+ Template)

4. Apply for jobs in graphic design. 

Search general job sites like Indeed and Glassdoor for job openings in graphic design. You can also search sites that are geared specifically to creative or design jobs, as explored in the table below. 

Once you select your desired positions, gather all the information and work samples you need to apply, and create a schedule for submitting applications. How many jobs will you apply for each week?

Read more: How to Prepare for an Interview

Prepare for entry-level graphic design jobs and more on Coursera 

If you’re considering a career in graphic design, subscribe to our LinkedIn newsletter, Career Chat, to stay current on industry-related topics. You can also explore these free resources to learn more about this exciting field.

• Watch on YouTube: Graphic design careers are 🔥

• Access online glossaries: Graphic Design Terminology

• Explore career paths: Graphic Design Career Progression: Job Levels & Skills to Advance

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