Graphic Designer
Visual communication is everywhere - strong designers are in demand across every industry.
Graphic Designer Salary in Canada
Graphic Designers in Canada earn about $45,000 at entry level and around $90,000 in senior roles.
- Entry level: $45,000
- Senior level: $90,000
Art directors and brand designers at agencies earn at the higher end.
About the Career
Job Bank rates prospects limited to very limited in most provinces - AI design tools and a shrinking print sector mean strong portfolios and digital/brand skills matter more than ever.
Job Outlook
Competitive demand. Job Bank rates prospects limited to very limited in most provinces - AI design tools and a shrinking print sector mean strong portfolios and digital/brand skills matter more than ever.
How to Get There
- 4-yr BDes or BFA (Graphic Design) or diploma program
- Time to career: 4 years post-Grade 12
Degrees That Lead Here
- Graphic Design – high 70s to high 80s - strong portfolio required
- Fine Arts – high 70s to high 80s - portfolio is the primary admission factor
- Communications – high 70s to high 80s
Key Skills
- Typography & Layout
- Brand Identity Design
- Adobe Creative Suite & Figma
- Client Communication
- Time Management
Typical Employers
- Design agencies
- In-house brand & marketing teams
- Tech companies
- Publishing & media
- Freelance
High School Roadmap
- Learn Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop - or Canva as a starting point. Design for school events and clubs.
- Build a small design portfolio. Enter design competitions.
- Learn the full Adobe Creative Suite. Build a strong portfolio of diverse design work.
- Apply to graphic design programs with a strong portfolio. OCAD, Sheridan, and SFU are top choices.
Top Universities for This Path
- Simon Fraser University – Burnaby, BC
- Concordia University – Montreal, QC
- Toronto Metropolitan University – Toronto, ON
Insider Tips
- OCAD University and Sheridan College are Canada's most respected design schools.
- Your portfolio is everything in design hiring - build it relentlessly from G10 onwards.
- UX/UI design (digital product design) commands higher salaries than traditional print graphic design.