Job prospects Illustrator And Graphic Designer in Alberta

Explore current and future job prospects for people working as an "illustrator and graphic designer" in Alberta or across Canada.

Job opportunities in Alberta

These outlooks were updated on December 11, 2024.

Prospects over the next 3 years

The employment outlook will be limited for Graphic designers and illustrators (NOC 52120) in Alberta for the 2024-2026 period.

The following factors contributed to this outlook:

• Employment growth will lead to a few new positions.
• Not many positions will become available due to retirements.
• There are a moderate number of unemployed workers with recent experience in this occupation.

• Employment opportunities should be relatively consistent over the forecast period as some businesses strengthen their online presence through digital marketing.
• Declining demand for traditional printed materials such as brochures and magazines will weaken opportunities in this cluster.
• Higher for longer inflation may also have some firms rethinking expansion resulting in muted employment growth for this occupation. 

Here are some key facts about Graphic designers and illustrators in Alberta:

• Approximately 6,000 people work in this occupation.
• Graphic designers and illustrators mainly work in the following sectors:
  • Architectural, engineering and design services (NAICS 5413): 31%
  • Computer systems design services (NAICS 5415): 9%
  • Arts, entertainment and recreation (NAICS 71): 8%
  • Other professional, scientific and technical services (NAICS 5414, 5416-5419): 7%
  • Miscellaneous manufacturing (NAICS 339): 6%
• The distribution of full-time and part-time workers in this occupation is:
  • Full-time workers: 75% compared to 80% for all occupations
  • Part-time workers: 25% compared to 20% for all occupations
• 62% of graphic designers and illustrators work all year, while 38% work only part of the year, compared to 61% and 39% respectively among all occupations. Those who worked only part of the year did so for an average of 42 weeks compared to 42 weeks for all occupations.
• 40% of graphic designers and illustrators are self-employed compared to an average of 15% for all occupations.
• The gender distribution of people in this occupation is:
  • Men: 43% compared to 53% for all occupations
  • Women: 56% compared to 47% for all occupations
• The educational attainment of workers in this occupation is:
  • no high school diploma: less than 5% compared to 10% for all occupations
  • high school diploma or equivalent: 15% compared to 28% for all occupations
  • apprenticeship or trades certificate or diploma: 8% compared to 13% for all occupations
  • college certificate or diploma or university certificate below bachelor's: 36% compared to 19% for all occupations
  • bachelor's degree: 32% compared to 21% for all occupations
  • university certificate, degree or diploma above bachelor level: 5% compared to 9% for all occupations

Breakdown by region

Explore job prospects in Alberta by economic region.

Source Labour Market Information | Prospects Methodology

Job prospects elsewhere in Canada

Explore current and future job prospects for people working as an "illustrator and graphic designer" Graphic designers and illustrators (NOC 52120) or across Canada.

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