Career comparison
Graphic Designer vs. UX/UI Designer
Side-by-side pay, training, growth and day-to-day duties to help you choose between two related careers.
UX/UI designers earn more at the median ($104,000 vs. $62,960), while UX/UI designers usually get to work faster (4 years or bootcamp plus portfolio of training). Graphic designers create logos, layouts and visuals that communicate ideas and build brands. UX/UI designers design apps and websites that are easy, useful and enjoyable to use.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
| Graphic Designer | UX/UI Designer | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $62,960 ($30.27/hr) | $104,000 ($50.00/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $39,520 – $104,910 | $53,750 – $201,550 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | -1.7% (a projected decline) | +6.0% (faster than average) |
| Openings per year | 16,000 | 8,300 |
| Typical entry education | Bachelor's degree | Bachelor's degree |
| Training time | 4 years or portfolio-based training | 4 years or bootcamp plus portfolio |
| Key credential | Adobe Certified Professional | Google UX Design Certificate |
| Work setting | Designers work in studios, offices or remotely, at computers for most of the day.. | Designers work in offices or remotely, mostly at computers, collaborating through design tools, video calls and workshops.. |
What each job does
Graphic Designer
- Meet with clients to understand goals
- Develop design concepts
- Design logos, layouts and graphics
- Select typography, color and images
- Prepare files for print and digital
UX/UI Designer
- Research user needs through interviews and data
- Create user flows, wireframes and prototypes
- Design visual interfaces and components
- Test designs with users and iterate
- Maintain design systems
How they’re similar
Both careers involve creative work, desk work, and remote-friendly work. They sit in different fields, arts, media & design and technology, but share transferable skills such as creativity and empathy.
Which should you choose?
Choose graphic designer if…
- I love visual design
- I notice fonts and layouts
- I take feedback well
Choose UX/UI designer if…
- I notice when apps are confusing
- I like design and technology
- I enjoy understanding how people think
Still torn? Take the Graphic Designer fit quiz and the UX/UI Designer fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, graphic designer or UX/UI designer?
UX/UI Designers earn more at the median: $104,000 versus $62,960 for graphic designers, based on BLS May 2025 data.
Which takes less time to train for?
UX/UI Designers typically train faster (4 years or bootcamp plus portfolio) than graphic designers (4 years or portfolio-based training).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects UX/UI designers to grow +6.0% from 2025–35, compared with -1.7% for graphic designers.