Graphic designers are a vital part of the creative industry. They have an important job to do, and they should be compensated fairly for their work. Yet, graphic designers are paid so little compared to other professions in the industry.

The primary reason graphic designers are paid so low is that this field is highly competitive and contested. Consequently, most graphic designers are willing to work for meager wages to secure a job.

Therefore, if you’re considering a career in graphic design, you should be aware of the typically low pay in this field. However, don’t let this dissuade you from pursuing a career in graphic design. This article explores other reasons why graphic designers are paid so low to help you decide if this is the right career for you.

Why Are Graphic Designers Underpaid?

If you love what you do, you’ll never work a day in your life. This is the philosophy of many graphic designers. They love to design and create beautiful pieces, so they would be willing to work for free if it weren’t necessary to earn a living wage.

Unfortunately, this isn’t practical in the real world. Let’s face it. Everyone hopes the career path they’ve chosen will not only be fulfilling but profitable. However, many graphic designers realize sooner or later that their passion doesn’t always lead to a great income.

So, why are graphic designers paid so little?

1. The Issue of Supply and Demand

One of the major challenges graphic designers face is the issue of supply and demand. So many people out there want to become graphic designers, but not enough jobs to go around. This means that companies can be picky about who they hire and often don’t have to offer a high salary to attract the right person for the job.

The problem is made worse by the fact that anyone can become a graphic designer since it doesn’t take a special degree or certification to start working as one.

2. Easy Access to Free Tools and Resources

With the advancement of the internet, there is a wealth of resources that anyone can access. This means you don’t have to pay for software or training materials like you used to do in the past. It’s all free!

Furthermore, there are many websites and blogs available with tutorials on graphic design skills and plenty of online forums where designers worldwide share their work and give feedback. So even if you’re just starting, you’ll be able to learn a lot very quickly.

But why is this a bad thing?

The downside is that because it’s so easy to learn graphic design skills, many people think they can do it and end up undervaluing the profession. Unfortunately, this means that many talented designers are paid very little for their work, which is unfortunate, especially for individuals who’ve undergone years of training.

3. Low Barriers to Entry

Another reason graphic designers have a hard time getting paid what they’re worth is the low barriers to entry. Anyone with a computer and some design software can start creating graphics, which means there’s a lot of competition in the market.

This also makes it difficult for graphic designers to demand higher rates, as clients can easily find someone else who will do the job for less.

4. Lack of Understanding from Client’s Side

In most cases, clients don’t take graphic design seriously. They see it as just another service that can be provided by anyone else easily. They don’t see it as an investment or a part of their marketing strategy and business development efforts.

Other than that, many small businesses think they cannot afford graphic design services. The truth is, all companies need visual representations to attract new customers and stand out from the competition.

This perception that graphic design is not essential or that it’s not worth a lot of money creates an unfortunate reality for many designers.

5. Designers are Not Seen as Professionals

Another reason why graphic designers are paid less than they deserve is that their profession is not considered “professional.” Most people think that anyone can do graphic design, which could not be further from the truth.

It’s so bad that most companies do away with graphic design when dealing with budget cuts. They prefer prioritizing other departments like IT, Sales, and Marketing because they don’t believe graphic design is as important.

This is a big reason why designers don’t earn enough, and their pay keeps going down the drain. They keep getting taken advantage of because not many people know what graphic design really takes or how it can help them run a business efficiently.

Source: Media Caterer

How to Increase Your Graphic Designing Income

You’re probably thinking, “What can I do to make sure I get paid what I deserve as a graphic designer?”

There are a few things you can do:

• Network with other designers and people in the industry. Build relationships and learn from them.
• Stay up to date on new design trends and technologies. You don’t want to be left behind.
• Pitch high paying clients
• Diversify your income
• Better your portfolio
• Stick to a specific niche
• Create your own product
• Build confidence in your skills

While it may seem like there’s no hope for increasing your income as a graphic designer, these tips will go a long way in ensuring you get paid what you deserve. They’ll not only set you apart from the competition but set you on the right path where you can focus on clients who are willing to pay top dollar for your skills. So don’t quit just yet. 

Source: Media Caterer

Wrapping Up

If you’re a graphic designer feeling underpaid and undervalued, don’t worry – you’re not alone. The industry faces many challenges, but you can overcome them and make more money than you’ve ever dreamed of.  So, follow the tips we’ve shared in this article, and you’ll be on your way to a better paying job in no time.