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Contract Illustrator Jobs (NOW HIRING)

This is an independent contract position. Referral program: Referrals increase your chances of interviewing at DataAnnotation by 2x. Get notified about new Illustrator jobs in West Virginia, United ...

Illustrator

Lansing, MI · Remote

$40/hr

We are looking for an Illustrator to help train and improve cutting-edge AI models. You'll assess ... This is an independent contract position. Seniority level Entry level Employment type Full‐time ...

Illustrator

Louisiana, MO · Remote

$40/hr

We are looking for an Illustrator to help train and improve cutting‐edge AI models. You'll assess ... This is an independent contract position. #J-18808-Ljbffr

Illustrator

Nevada, IA · Remote

$40/hr

We are looking for an Illustrator to help train and improve cutting‐edge AI models. You'll assess ... This is an independent contract position. #J-18808-Ljbffr

Illustrator

Brooklyn, NY · Remote

$40/hr

We are looking for an Illustrator to help train and improve cutting‐edge AI models. You'll assess ... This is an independent contract position. #J-18808-Ljbffr

What We Look For In a Adobe Illustrator Tutor * Advanced Subject Mastery: Deep knowledge of vector ... Varsity Tutors does not contract in: Alaska, California, Colorado, Delaware, Hawaii, Maine, New ...

What We Look For In a Adobe Illustrator Tutor * Advanced Subject Mastery: Deep knowledge of vector ... Varsity Tutors does not contract in: Alaska, California, Colorado, Delaware, Hawaii, Maine, New ...

What We Look For In a Adobe Illustrator Tutor * Advanced Subject Mastery: Deep knowledge of vector ... Varsity Tutors does not contract in: Alaska, California, Colorado, Delaware, Hawaii, Maine, New ...

What We Look For In a Adobe Illustrator Tutor * Advanced Subject Mastery: Deep knowledge of vector ... Varsity Tutors does not contract in: Alaska, California, Colorado, Delaware, Hawaii, Maine, New ...

What We Look For In a Adobe Illustrator Tutor * Advanced Subject Mastery: Deep knowledge of vector ... Varsity Tutors does not contract in: Alaska, California, Colorado, Delaware, Hawaii, Maine, New ...

What We Look For In a Adobe Illustrator Tutor * Advanced Subject Mastery: Deep knowledge of vector ... Varsity Tutors does not contract in: Alaska, California, Colorado, Delaware, Hawaii, Maine, New ...

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Contract Illustrator information

See salary details

$32.5K

$59.3K

$96K

How much do contract illustrator jobs pay per year?

As of May 28, 2026, the average yearly pay for contract illustrator in the United States is $59,345.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $38,500.00 and $68,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Contract Illustrator, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Contract Illustrator, you need strong drawing abilities, a solid understanding of visual storytelling, and a portfolio demonstrating your artistic style and versatility. Proficiency in industry-standard design software such as Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, and sometimes digital drawing tablets is typically required. Excellent communication, time management, and adaptability help build client relationships and manage multiple projects effectively. These skills ensure that illustrations meet client specifications, deadlines, and quality standards in a competitive freelance market.

How does a contract illustrator typically collaborate with clients and creative teams throughout a project?

As a contract illustrator, you will often begin projects by discussing the client's vision, objectives, and brand guidelines, either directly with clients or through an art director. Regular communication is essential, often involving feedback loops at various stages—sketches, drafts, and final revisions—to ensure the artwork meets expectations. Collaboration may also include working with writers, graphic designers, and marketing teams to align the illustrations with overall project goals. Being open to feedback, managing deadlines, and maintaining clear documentation of changes are key to successful partnerships in this role.

What are contract illustrators?

Contract illustrators are professional artists hired on a freelance or temporary basis to create visual artwork, such as drawings, digital illustrations, or graphics, for clients. They typically work on specific projects, such as book covers, advertisements, product packaging, or editorial content, rather than being permanent staff members of a company. Their work is guided by the client's requirements, and they may collaborate with art directors, writers, or marketing teams. Contract illustrators often manage multiple projects for different clients at once, and they are responsible for meeting deadlines and delivering high-quality artwork. This role offers creative flexibility and the opportunity to work across diverse industries.

What is the difference between Contract Illustrator vs Freelance Graphic Designer?

AspectContract IllustratorFreelance Graphic Designer
CredentialsPortfolio, illustration skills, possibly art or design degreesPortfolio, design skills, possibly graphic design certifications
Work EnvironmentTypically works on specific illustration projects, often for publishers or advertisingVaried projects including branding, marketing, digital media
Employer/Industry UsageHired by publishers, advertising agencies, or clients for specific illustration tasksHired directly by clients or agencies for diverse design needs

Contract Illustrators focus primarily on creating visual artwork for specific projects, often in publishing or advertising. Freelance Graphic Designers handle a broader range of design tasks, including branding and digital media. While both roles require a strong portfolio, Contract Illustrators specialize in illustrations, whereas Freelance Graphic Designers have a wider skill set. The choice depends on the project type and industry needs.

More about Contract Illustrator jobs
What cities are hiring for Contract Illustrator jobs? Cities with the most Contract Illustrator job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Illustrator jobs? The most popular types of Illustrator jobs are:
What states have the most Contract Illustrator jobs? States with the most job openings for Contract Illustrator jobs include:
Infographic showing various Contract Illustrator job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 7% Full Time, 3% Temporary, and 90% Contract. Highlights an 100% Physical job distribution, with an average salary of $59,345 per year, or $28.5 per hour.
Senior Illustrator, Design Foundations & AI Transformation

Senior Illustrator, Design Foundations & AI Transformation

Lyft

New York, NY

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted 27 days ago


Lyft rating

7.3

Company rating: 7.3 out of 10

Based on 31 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

2nd of 9 rated taxi private hire


Job description

At Lyft, our purpose is to serve and connect. We aim to achieve this by cultivating a work environment where all team members belong and have the opportunity to thrive.

Lyft is looking for a Senior Illustrator to join Design Foundations, the infrastructure layer of Lyft's design organization. Illustration at Lyft is an integral part of the overall user experience. Our illustration system spans product surfaces, marketing, and brand, distributed through the Lyft Product Language (LPL) design system and shipped directly to code. You'll own the craft and execution of that system, partner closely with design, engineering, and marketing, and lead illustration work through a period of active brand migration and capability expansion.

This role reports to the Design Systems Manager and works alongside a contract illustrator, a dedicated DPM, and a tight-knit team of design systems practitioners.

Responsibilities:
  • Execute illustration work across product surfaces: Rider, Driver, Marketing with a high craft bar and deep understanding of our system and style
  • Lead ongoing brand migration work: moving existing illustrations into the updated style across multiple product verticals
  • Own and maintain Lyft's illustration libraries in Figma - including organization, naming, publishing, and code handoff via LPL
  • Develop motion design capabilities for illustrated assets; this is an emerging need and a real opportunity to define how Lyft's visual identity moves
  • Manage the illustration intake process: triage requests, run office hours, set priorities alongside the DPM and manager
  • Partner with (contract illustrator) on assignments - package work clearly, review output, and maintain quality and consistency across execution
  • Collaborate with engineers to ship illustrations through LPL - SVGs to code, PRs reviewed, library updates published
  • Work with Marketing, Brand, and Content teams to extend the illustration system beyond product surfaces
  • Contribute to documentation, onboarding materials, and illustration guidelines so the system is legible to everyone who depends on it
Experience:
  • 4+ years of professional illustration experience, ideally in a product or brand context
  • Strong Figma skills, you work natively in Figma
  • Demonstrated experience building or maintaining an illustration system, component library, or visual language at scale
  • Comfort working directly with engineering: you understand how assets move from Figma to code and can own that handoff without hand-holding
  • Motion or animation experience, or a genuine appetite to develop it.  After Effects, Lottie, or equivalent
  • Ability to manage a varied workload: migration work, net-new requests, and system maintenance all at once
  • Clear communicator: you can run a stakeholder review, give useful feedback to a contractor, and write a brief that someone can execute from
  • Familiarity with design systems, or similar component-based systems a plus
Benefits:
  • Great medical, dental, and vision insurance options with additional programs available when enrolled
  • Mental health benefits
  • Family building benefits
  • Child care and pet benefits
  • 401(k) plan with company match to help save for your future
  • In addition to 12 observed holidays, salaried team members have discretionary paid time off, hourly team members have 15 days paid time off
  • 18 weeks of paid parental leave. Biological, adoptive, and foster parents are all eligible
  • Subsidized commuter benefits
  • Monthly Lyft credits and complimentary Lyft Pink membership

Lyft is an equal opportunity employer committed to an inclusive workplace that fosters belonging. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regards to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, age, genetic information, or any other basis prohibited by law. We also consider qualified applicants with criminal histories consistent with applicable federal, state and local law.

Lyft highly values having employees working in-office to foster a collaborative work environment and company culture. This role will be in-office on a hybrid schedule - Team Members will be expected to work in the office 3 days per week on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. Lyft considers working in the office at least 3 days per week to be an essential function of this hybrid role. Your recruiter can share more information about the various in-office perks Lyft offers. Additionally, hybrid roles have the flexibility to work from anywhere for up to 4 weeks per year. #Hybrid

The expected base pay range for this position in the New York City or San Francisco area is $138,000 - $172,500, not inclusive of potential equity offering, bonus or benefits. Salary ranges are dependent on a variety of factors, including qualifications, experience and geographic location. Your recruiter can share more information about the salary range specific to your working location and other factors during the hiring process.


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About Lyft

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

At Lyft, our mission is to improve people's lives with the world's best transportation. To do this, we start with our own community by creating an open, inclusive, and diverse organization.

Industry

Ground public transportation

Company size

5,001 - 10,000 Employees

Headquarters location

San Francisco, CA, US

Year founded

2012

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