Headline risk
31%
High RiskFreelance Designer
AI displacement pressure score based on US employment data, wages, and demand signals. Built from 3 related occupations weighted by relevance.
Why this score
75% of tasks overlap with current AI
44% human advantage from judgment & presence
59% demand buffer from the local labour market
These factors interact with each other — the final score is not a simple sum of these bars.
Share of tasks AI can handle today
Work that requires human presence or coordination
How strong local hiring demand is for this role
How complete the underlying data is
Workflow profile
How this role's daily work breaks down across different dimensions.
Workflow dimensions (0 = low, 1 = high)
US employment data
Employment overview
Share of job tasks AI can currently perform
Annual median wage
Projected employment change 2024–2034
Education and training typically needed
Key metrics
Job zone
4The occupation usually needs substantial preparation and experience.
Median wage
USD 61,300USD 47,200 to USD 79,000
Openings
20.0K2.1% projected change
Median age
41.8285K employed
What this job involves
Design or create graphics to meet specific commercial or promotional needs, such as packaging, displays, or logos. May use a variety of mediums to achieve artistic or decorative effects.
Entry requirements: Moderate preparation
The occupation usually needs substantial preparation and experience.
Wage context
Median annual
USD 61,300
Mean annual
USD 68,610
10th percentile: USD 37,600
25th percentile: USD 47,200
75th percentile: USD 79,000
90th percentile: USD 103,030
Hourly median: USD 29
Employment: 214,260 workers
Demand outlook
Current employment
265.9K
Projected employment
271.5K
Openings: 20.0K
Projected change: 2.1%
Education: Bachelor's degree
Work experience: None
On-the-job training: None
Median wage: USD 61,300
Employment of graphic designers is projected to show little or no change from 2024 to 2034.
Workforce profile
Based on a survey of workers currently in this occupation.
Typical background
- No education requirement 8.7% of workers
- High school diploma 23.3% of workers
- Bachelor's degree 30.4% of workers
- On-the-job training 43.74% of workers
- Prior work experience 967.74% of workers
Other characteristics
- Specific vocational preparation <5% of workers
- Adaptability: Work schedule variability 5.3% of workers
- Work pace 55.1% of workers
Day-to-day work
Graphic designers create visual concepts, using computer software or by hand, to communicate ideas that inspire, inform, and captivate consumers.
Many of these workers are employed in specialized design services, publishing, or advertising, public relations, and related services industries.
Graphic designers usually need a bachelor’s degree in graphic design or a related field. Candidates for graphic design positions should have a portfolio that demonstrates their creativity and originality.
Key tasks
- 1. Key information into computer equipment to create layouts for client or supervisor. · AI can do 0%
- 2. Review final layouts and suggest improvements, as needed. · AI can do 0%
- 3. Determine size and arrangement of illustrative material and copy, and select style and size of type. · AI can do 83%
- 4. Develop graphics and layouts for product illustrations, company logos, and Web sites. · AI can do 85%
- 5. Create designs, concepts, and sample layouts, based on knowledge of layout principles and esthetic design concepts. · AI can do 0%
- 6. Use computer software to generate new images. · AI can do 97%
Tools commonly used
Work environment
- E-Mail 4.9/5
- Spend Time Sitting 4.8/5
- Time Pressure 4.7/5
- Telephone Conversations 4.5/5
- Work With or Contribute to a Work Group or Team 4.4/5
- Importance of Being Exact or Accurate 4.4/5
Who does this work
Median age: 41.8
285K employed · Under 25: 7% · 25–54: 73% · 55+: 21%
Data sources: O*NET 30.2 / OEWS 2024 / ORS 2025 / OOH 2025-08-28 / Projections 2024-34 / CPS 2025 / Anthropic task penetration
Component occupations
How this score works
The score measures how much this role's tasks overlap with current AI capabilities, adjusted for human-only requirements and local job market demand. This is a structural pressure estimate, not a prediction of job losses. Learn how scores work →