Illustrator
Create custom illustration for editorial, brand, books, products and packaging.
This UK illustrator career guide covers what the role involves day to day, typical salary at each stage, the usual entry route, the skills employers expect, and related careers worth comparing.
Quick facts
- Starting salary
- £18,000 - £28,000
- Mid-career salary
- £30,000 - £55,000
- Senior salary
- £60,000 - £100,000+ (top names much higher)
- Work environment
- Mostly freelance or in-house brand teams
- Time to entry
- 2 - 5 years to build a name
- Degree required
- Not required - portfolio decides
- Category
- Design and Creative
What a Illustrator does
Create custom illustration for editorial, brand, books, products and packaging.
- Editorial Illustrator - Illustrate articles for newspapers, magazines and online.
- Brand Illustrator - Build illustration systems for brands, products and ads.
How to become a Illustrator
- Look up Illustrator roles on LinkedIn or Indeed and read 5 real job ads
- Talk to someone already working as a Illustrator - even a 15-minute call helps
- Find one beginner course or qualification used by people in this role
- Build one small piece of evidence you've explored this (project, shadowing, short course)
- Apply to one entry-level role or related opportunity within the next month
Key skills
- Drawing
- Style development
- Procreate / Photoshop
- Client management
- Pricing