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Other Graphic Communications

Types of Degrees Other Graphic Communications Majors Are Earning

Those studying Other Graphic Communications can earn degrees at several award levels.

Award Level	Graduates
Associate’s Degree	75
Bachelor’s Degree	45
Master’s Degree	37

What Other Graphic Communications Majors Need to Know

Coursework for Other Graphic Communications build a specific mix of knowledge, skills, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in occupations that Other Graphic Communications graduates commonly enter.

Knowledge Areas

According to O*NET, a major in Other Graphic Communications emphasizes the following knowledge areas:

• Production and Processing — Importance 3.9 / 5; level 4.2 / 7.
• Customer and Personal Service — Importance 3.3 / 5; level 3.3 / 7.
• Computers and Electronics — Importance 3.1 / 5; level 3.6 / 7.
• Design — Importance 3.1 / 5; level 3.1 / 7.
• Mathematics — Importance 3.0 / 5; level 2.9 / 7.

^{Importance is rated 1–5; level is 1–7. Source: ONET Online — weighted across related occupations.*}

Skills

Skills emphasized by a Other Graphic Communications program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:

• Monitoring — Importance 3.1 / 5; level 2.9 / 7.
• Operations Monitoring — Importance 3.1 / 5; level 3.0 / 7.
• Reading Comprehension — Importance 3.1 / 5; level 2.9 / 7.
• Active Listening — Importance 3.0 / 5; level 3 / 7.
• Speaking — Importance 3.0 / 5; level 2.8 / 7.

Abilities

Innate abilities most relevant to Other Graphic Communications careers — again drawn from O*NET surveys of related occupations:

• Near Vision — Importance 3.8 / 5; level 4.2 / 7.
• Control Precision — Importance 3.5 / 5; level 3.5 / 7.
• Arm-Hand Steadiness — Importance 3.5 / 5; level 3.7 / 7.
• Oral Comprehension — Importance 3.3 / 5; level 3.2 / 7.
• Oral Expression — Importance 3.2 / 5; level 3.3 / 7.

Common Job Activities

Day-to-day, Other Graphic Communications graduates report doing:

Activity	Frequency / Importance
Getting Information	4.2 / 7
Controlling Machines and Processes	3.8 / 7
Working with Computers	3.8 / 7
Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work	3.7 / 7
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates	3.7 / 7
Making Decisions and Solving Problems	3.7 / 7
Thinking Creatively	3.7 / 7
Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events	3.6 / 7
Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings	3.6 / 7
Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge	3.5 / 7

Technology Skills Used on the Job

Most frequently-cited tools used by Other Graphic Communications professionals:

Tool / Software	Category	In-Demand
Corel CorelDraw Graphics Suite	Graphics or photo imaging software	—
Microsoft Office software	Office suite software	✓
Adobe Illustrator	Graphics or photo imaging software	✓
Western Engravers Supply Vision EXPERT	Computer aided manufacturing CAM software	—
Delcam ArtCAM Express	Computer aided manufacturing CAM software	—
Gravograph GravoStyle	Computer aided manufacturing CAM software	—
Microsoft Windows	Operating system software	—
Computer aided design and computer aided manufacturing CAD/CAM engraving software	Computer aided design CAD and computer aided manufacturing CAM system	—
QuarkXPress	Desktop publishing software	—
Microsoft Outlook	Electronic mail software	—
Adobe Acrobat	Document management software	—
Adobe InDesign	Desktop publishing software	✓

^{Source: ONET Online technology skills, weighted across related occupations.*}

Sample Job Titles

Real job postings for Other Graphic Communications graduates include:

• Hand Etcher
• Plate Maker
• Sketch Maker
• Machine Engraver
• Printing and Publishing Sketch Maker
• Letterer
• Embosser
• Screen Making Technician
• Engrosser
• Silk Screen Processor
• Plate Cutter
• Lens Engraver
• Engraving Finisher
• Soft Metal Hand Engraver
• Photo Engraver

Education Typically Required

Across the occupations open to Other Graphic Communications graduates, the typical level of education actually held by current workers is distributed as:

Education Level	Share of Workers
High school diploma or equivalent	50.6%
Less than a high school diploma	21.9%
Associate’s degree (or other 2-year)	15.2%
Some college courses	6.5%
Postsecondary certificate	4.3%
Bachelor’s degree	1.5%

^{Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*}

Who Is Earning a Degree in Other Graphic Communications?

Gender Distribution

This field has a relatively balanced gender distribution: 59.2% women and 40.8% men among Other Graphic Communications graduates.

Gender	Graduates	Share
Women	93	59.2%
Men	64	40.8%

Racial-Ethnic Diversity

At the national level, the racial-ethnic distribution of Other Graphic Communications graduates is as follows:

Race / Ethnicity	Graduates	Share
White	74	47.1%
Asian	8	5.1%
Hispanic or Latino	23	14.6%
Black or African American	35	22.3%
Two or More Races	11	7.0%
Race Unknown	3	1.9%
International Students	3	1.9%

^{See minority definition below.}

How Much Do Other Graphic Communications Graduates Earn?

Federal data tracks median earnings of Other Graphic Communications graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. These numbers tend to grow steadily as graduates gain experience and move into mid-career roles.

Years Out	Median Earnings
1 year	$28,061
4 years	$41,119
5 years	$47,590

By year 5 out, median earnings rise to $47,590 — roughly 70% above the 1-year mark.

^{Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.}

Is a Degree in Other Graphic Communications Worth It?

Looking purely at the federal earnings tracker, Other Graphic Communications graduates earn a median of $41,119 four years after completion — roughly 8% above the national median for workers with only a high school diploma (~$38,000).

^{ROI estimate compares the program’s 4-yr median earnings against the 2023 BLS CPS median earnings for high-school-only workers. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard + BLS Current Population Survey.}

Related Programs

You may also be interested in these closely related fields of study:

Program	CIP Code
Graphic Communications	10.03
Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics, and Special Effects	10.0304
Computer Typography and Composition Equipment Operator	10.0308
Graphic and Printing Equipment Operator, General Production	10.0305
Graphic Communications, General	10.0301
Platemaker/Imager	10.0306
Prepress/Desktop Publishing and Digital Imaging Design	10.0303
Printing Management	10.0302
Printing Press Operator	10.0307

References

The racial-ethnic minorities count is calculated by taking the total number of students and subtracting white students and international students. This number is then divided by the total number of students to obtain the racial-ethnic minorities percentage.

• College Factual
• National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS)
• O*NET Online
• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
• U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard

More about our data sources and methodologies.