7 Entry-Level Graphic Design Jobs to Explore

Key takeaways

If you're interested in landing a graphic design job as an entry-level candidate, there are several different job titles to explore.

• An entry-level graphic design role typically requires little to no professional experience, though you may need to show a portfolio from any coursework you've completed, internships you've held, or volunteer work you've done.

• You can apply to entry-level graphic design roles, such as junior graphic designer, associate graphic designer, or social media designer, to build experience and advance in your career.

• Graphic design is a career path at risk of AI disruption, but you can stay competitive by learning how to use AI tools.

Explore entry-level graphic design jobs and the different industries to pay attention to. If you’re ready to build in-demand skills, consider enrolling in the Adobe Graphic Designer Professional Certificate.

7 graphic design entry-level job titles

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 agencies or brands, and are responsible for designing visual assets, such as logos, social media posts, brochures, e-books, and product packaging. 

Below, you’ll find seven graphic design job titles along with information about median total salaries in the US for up to one year of experience.

* All salary information represents the median total pay from Glassdoor as of May 2026. These figures include base salary and additional pay, which may represent profit-sharing, commissions, bonuses, or other compensation.

1. Associate graphic designer

Associate graphic designers design digital and print assets, edit images, work with graphic design software, and maintain a company’s brand standards.

• What they make: $61,000 [1]

• 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. Social media designer

A social media designer focuses on designing high-engagement visual assets specifically for platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and LinkedIn.

• What they make: $75,000 [2]

• Skills and qualifications they need: Bachelor’s degree in art, graphic design, or marketing. Working knowledge of social media platforms, and graphic design software, like Adobe Express.

• Where to go from here: Content creator, influencer, social media manager

3. Cover designer

Cover designers are the creative minds behind works of fiction and non-fiction. They create book jacket covers that artistically convey the topic of the book.

• What they make: $79,000 [3]

• Skills and qualifications they need: Bachelor’s degree in graphic design, understanding of the publishing industry and best practices

4. Entry-level web designer

Web designers use graphic design and computer programming to create a website’s appearance and layout to appeal to a target audience.

• What they make: $56,000 [4]

• 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. Junior advertising designer 

Junior advertising designers support advertising campaigns by designing visual elements.

• What they make: $72,000 [5]

• 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: Ad designer, senior ad designer  

6. Digital designer

Digital designers develop assets to be viewed on a screen or digital interface, support other creative teams, stay current with industry trends.

• What they make: $89,000 [6]

• 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

3D designers collaborate with tech art and design team; create 3D designs, graphics, and animations.

• What they make: $98,000 [7]

• 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

Where to find entry-level graphic design jobs

Graphic design is a versatile line of work that you can do in many industries. Here are four industries where a new graphic designer can build a career:

1. Retail

If you enjoy working on physical products, consumer brands are a natural fit. From direct-to-consumer (DTC) startups to legacy retail giants, visual differentiation is how these companies survive.

• What you’ll design: Product packaging, unboxing experiences, point-of-purchase displays, digital storefront banners, lookbooks, and promotional web assets.

• Why it’s great for entry-level: It offers a balanced mix of print and digital design. Working in packaging design also teaches you highly valuable, technical prepress skills.

2. Entertainment

The promotional and entertainment fields are fast-growing areas for designers who want to work on dynamic, highly creative campaigns.

• What you’ll design: Concert tour posters, sports team social media graphics, venue signage, physical programs/playbills, digital streaming thumbnails, and merchandise apparel.

• Why it’s great for entry-level: It is a fast-paced environment that values trend-spotting and bold typography. It’s highly visual work that builds an eye-catching portfolio very quickly.

3. Health care

Healthcare might not sound like the most obvious choice for a creative professional, but it is one of the more stable and well-funded industries in the job market.

• What you’ll design: Patient education materials, data visualizations, healthcare app interfaces, public health campaign assets, and pharmaceutical marketing layouts.

• Why it’s great for entry-level: This sector is highly resilient to economic downturns. It teaches you how to design under strict regulatory guidelines and how to take dense, complex scientific data and make it easily digestible for the general public.

4. Media

While traditional print newspapers and magazines have contracted, digital media networks, streaming platforms, and educational technology companies have expanded.

• What you’ll design: Digital magazine layouts, book or podcast cover art, interactive online learning materials, and rapid-response editorial graphics.

• Why it’s great for entry-level: Publishing and digital media environments offer a vibrant creative culture and give you a high volume of projects, allowing you to learn how to design efficiently under tight deadlines.

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 a bachelor's degree can help you advance in your design career, it's possible to break into graphic design without a degree. You can learn about the field and best practices through courses or certifications.

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. Put together a portfolio.

Many entry-level graphic design jobs will want to see a portfolio that showcases your best work. You don't need to hold a full-time job to build your portfolio. Here are four ways to gain experience and add to your portfolio: 

• Look for internships.  

• Complete design coursework.

• Set up a freelance profile on sites like Fiverr, Toptal, and Upwork, or look for contract opportunities.

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

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?

To stay competitive amid AI disruption, new graphic designers should treat AI as a powerful production assistant that automates tedious tasks, speeds up moodboarding, and accelerates asset creation. By mastering these tools, you can free up time to focus on strategic human empathy and creative direction—the exact skills AI cannot replicate.

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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