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AI Work Index

Headline risk

18%

Moderate Risk

Graphic Designer

United States2 occupations blended

AI displacement pressure score based on US employment data, wages, and demand signals. Built from 2 related occupations weighted by relevance.

Median wage: USD 79,45030.6 currentConfidence medium

Why this score

Exposure 63%

Share of tasks AI can handle today

Bottleneck 61%

Work that requires human presence or coordination

Demand resilience 27%

How strong local hiring demand is for this role

Confidence 72%

How complete the underlying data is

Workflow profile

How this role's daily work breaks down across different dimensions.

CreativeAmbiguityInstitutionalRelationshipsRegulatoryPhysicalCoordinationTool Speed

Workflow dimensions (0 = low, 1 = high)

US employment data

Employment overview

AI task overlap 100%

Share of job tasks AI can currently perform

Median wage USD 79,450

Annual median wage

Demand outlook 3%

Projected employment change 2024–2034

Preparation Zone 4/5

Education and training typically needed

Data coverage
11/11 sources available Last updated: O*NET 30.2 / OEWS 2024 / ORS 2025 / OOH 2025-08-28 / Projections 2024-34 / CPS 2025 / Anthropic task penetration

Key metrics

Job zone

4

The occupation usually needs substantial preparation and experience.

Median wage

USD 79,450

USD 62,040 to USD 103,170

Openings

2.5K

3.2% projected change

Median age

41.8

640K employed

What this job involves

Design and develop manufactured products, such as cars, home appliances, and children's toys. Combine artistic talent with research on product use, marketing, and materials to create the most functional and appealing product design.

Entry requirements: Moderate preparation

The occupation usually needs substantial preparation and experience.

Wage context

Median annual

USD 79,450

Mean annual

USD 88,000

10th percentile: USD 49,390

25th percentile: USD 62,040

75th percentile: USD 103,170

90th percentile: USD 134,840

Hourly median: USD 38

Employment: 30,250 workers

Demand outlook

Current employment

30.6K

Projected employment

31.6K

Openings: 2.5K

Projected change: 3.2%

Education: Bachelor's degree

Work experience: None

On-the-job training: None

Median wage: USD 79,450

Employment of industrial designers is projected to grow 3 percent from 2024 to 2034, about as fast as the average for all occupations.

Workforce profile

Based on a survey of workers currently in this occupation.

Protects from AI displacement

  • Can telework 40.5% of workers

Typical background

  • No education requirement 21.9% of workers
  • High school diploma 22.5% of workers
  • Bachelor's degree 44.4% of workers
  • Associate's degree 11.1% of workers
  • On-the-job training 34.35% of workers
  • Prior work experience 60.5% of workers

Other characteristics

  • Specific vocational preparation 10.6% of workers

Day-to-day work

Detail orientedProblem solving and decision makingComputers and information technology

Industrial designers combine art, business, and engineering to develop the concepts for manufactured products.

Industrial designers work in a variety of industries. Although industrial designers work primarily in offices, they may travel to testing facilities, design centers, clients’ exhibit sites, users’ homes or workplaces, and places where the product is manufactured.

Industrial designers typically need a bachelor's degree to enter the occupation. They also need an electronic portfolio with examples of their design projects.

Key tasks

  • 1. Prepare sketches of ideas, detailed drawings, illustrations, artwork, or blueprints, using drafting instruments, paints and brushes, or computer-aided design equipment. · AI can do 0%
  • 2. Modify and refine designs, using working models, to conform with customer specifications, production limitations, or changes in design trends. · AI can do 0%
  • 3. Confer with engineering, marketing, production, or sales departments, or with customers, to establish and evaluate design concepts for manufactured products. · AI can do 0%
  • 4. Evaluate feasibility of design ideas, based on factors such as appearance, safety, function, serviceability, budget, production costs/methods, and market characteristics. · AI can do 0%
  • 5. Present designs and reports to customers or design committees for approval and discuss need for modification. · AI can do 0%
  • 6. Research production specifications, costs, production materials, and manufacturing methods and provide cost estimates and itemized production requirements. · AI can do 0%

Tools commonly used

Adobe Creative Cloud software · trendingAdobe Illustrator · trendingAdobe Photoshop · trendingDassault Systemes SolidWorks · trendingFigma · trendingMicrosoft Excel · trending

Work environment

  • E-Mail 5.0/5
  • Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams 5.0/5
  • Indoors, Environmentally Controlled 4.9/5
  • Work With or Contribute to a Work Group or Team 4.7/5
  • Telephone Conversations 4.7/5
  • Importance of Being Exact or Accurate 4.4/5

Who does this work

Median age: 41.8

640K employed · Under 25: 10% · 25–54: 71% · 55+: 19%

Data sources: O*NET 30.2 / OEWS 2024 / ORS 2025 / OOH 2025-08-28 / Projections 2024-34 / CPS 2025 / Anthropic task penetration

Component occupations

Commercial and industrial designers

27-1021 · 60% weight

Open

Product and industrial designer

Support bundle: Moderate preparation

Web and digital interface designers

15-1255 · 40% weight

Open

Interaction designer

Support bundle: Moderate preparation

How this score works

The score measures how much this role's tasks overlap with current AI capabilities, adjusted for human-only requirements and local job market demand. This is a structural pressure estimate, not a prediction of job losses. Learn how scores work →