Changing shape

Graphic designers

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.

AI Resistance Index 12 of 99

Among the careers AI is changing fastest: more resilient than 12% of the 831 careers we score. AI exposure is high (the Bureau of Labor Statistics rates it very high), and US jobs are projected to change by -1.7% by 2035, expected to shrink. The work leans on creative vision.

AI can do many of the tasks, and hiring is expected to grow slower than average or to shrink. The job is likely to change, so build the human parts of it.

Median pay (2025): $62,960
Job growth to 2035: -1.7%
Openings a year: 16,000
People doing it (2025): 253,000
Usual route in: Bachelor's degree

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Where people already use AI for this work

Create visual designs or displays
Study details of artistic productions
Communicate with others about specifications or project details

From Microsoft Research, Working with AI (2025).

Work AI rarely helps with

Operate industrial processing or production equipment
Collect data about consumer needs or opinions
Maintain operational records

What the work looks like

Key information into computer equipment to create layouts for client or supervisor.
Review final layouts and suggest improvements, as needed.
Determine size and arrangement of illustrative material and copy, and select style and size of type.
Develop graphics and layouts for product illustrations, company logos, and Web sites.
Create designs, concepts, and sample layouts, based on knowledge of layout principles and esthetic design concepts.

From O*NET 31.0, US Department of Labor.

What the Bureau of Labor Statistics expects

Fewer of these jobs, as new technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI), replace some workers and make other workers more efficient.

Careers using similar strengths, with a stronger outlook

Music directors and composersChanging shape, Index 28, +1.2%
Set and exhibit designersChanging shape, Index 35, +1.4%
Designers, all otherChanging shape, Index 24, +1.2%
Film and video editorsGrows with AI, Index 33, +3.7%

Also known as: Artist, Designer, Graphic Artist, Graphic Designer, Brand Designer, Graphic Design Coordinator, Online Producer, Production Artist.

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Sources: US Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections 2025 to 2035; O*NET 31.0; Microsoft Research (2025); Anthropic Economic Index (2026); Eloundou and colleagues (Science, 2024); Felten, Raj and Seamans (2023). How we score. Updated 12 October 2026.