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Illustration Jobs in Rochester, NY (NOW HIRING)

Ability to explain Bezier curves, pathfinder operations, and scalable vector design principles while preparing students for graphic design careers and professional illustration work. * Conceptual ...

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Company Description Sports Illustrated Collect is a trusted leader & premier destination for live trading card breaks and high-quality sports collectibles. By combining real-time commerce with a ...

Illustrators, Translation Vendors, Print/Media Vendors, External Manufacturers (OEMs) Skills Required: A minimum of an associate's degree in Technical Writing, Communications, Medical Technology ...

Graphic Designer

Rochester, NY · On-site

$65K - $85K/yr

Proficiency with Adobe Creative Suite, Photoshop, Illustrator, After Effects, Blender, Cinema 4D, Canva, or similar design tools is essential. Strong communication, organization, and time management ...

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Research Technician I

Rochester, NY · On-site

$19.04 - $26.63/hr

... illustration functions. QUALIFICATIONS: Associate's degree in appropriate discipline; or equivalent combination of education and experience. The University of Rochester is committed to fostering ...

Research Technician I

Rochester, NY · On-site

$19.04 - $26.63/hr

... illustration functions. QUALIFICATIONS: Associate's degree in appropriate discipline; or equivalent combination of education and experience. The University of Rochester is committed to fostering ...

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Illustration information

See Rochester, NY salary details

$32.1K

$58.6K

$94.7K

How much do illustration jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 6, 2026, the average yearly pay for illustration in Rochester, NY is $58,554.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $38,000.00 and $67,100.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Illustration vs Graphic Designer?

AspectIllustrationGraphic Designer
CredentialsPortfolio, art skills, sometimes art or design degreesDesign degrees, software proficiency, portfolio
Work EnvironmentFreelance, studio, publishing, advertisingAgency, corporate, freelance, digital media
Industry UsageCreating visual art, book illustrations, concept artBranding, marketing materials, digital content

Illustration and graphic design share skills like creativity and visual communication, but illustration focuses on creating original artwork for books, products, or media, while graphic design emphasizes visual branding and layout for marketing and digital content. Both roles often collaborate but serve different primary purposes in the visual arts industry.

What is illustration and what does an illustrator do?

Illustration is the creation of visual imagery to explain, decorate, or clarify text and ideas. Illustrators use their artistic skills to produce drawings, paintings, or digital images for books, magazines, advertisements, packaging, and various media. Their work helps convey messages, tell stories, or enhance information in a visually engaging way. Illustrators may specialize in areas such as children's books, editorial illustration, concept art, or technical drawing, depending on their interests and skills.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an illustrator, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Illustrator, you need strong drawing ability, a solid grasp of design principles, and proficiency in color theory, often supported by a degree or coursework in art or design. Familiarity with digital illustration tools such as Adobe Creative Suite, Procreate, or CorelDRAW is typically required. Creativity, attention to detail, and effective communication skills help illustrators interpret briefs and collaborate with clients or teams. These skills are essential to produce compelling visual content that meets project objectives and resonates with target audiences.

What are some common challenges illustrators face when working on client projects, and how can they be managed?

Illustrators often encounter challenges such as unclear client briefs, shifting project scopes, and tight deadlines. Effective communication is key—clarifying expectations and regularly sharing progress can help avoid misunderstandings. Additionally, using contracts that outline deliverables and revision limits protects both the illustrator and the client. Building flexibility into your workflow and being open to feedback also ensures smoother collaborations and successful project outcomes.
What are the most commonly searched types of Illustration jobs in Rochester, NY? The most popular types of Illustration jobs in Rochester, NY are:
What cities near Rochester, NY are hiring for Illustration jobs? Cities near Rochester, NY with the most Illustration job openings:
Infographic showing various Illustration job openings in Rochester, NY as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 92% Full Time, 5% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 94% In-person, 3% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $58,554 per year, or $28.2 per hour.

Adobe Illustrator Tutor

Varsity Tutors

Rochester, NY • Remote

$18 - $40/hr

Part-time

Re-posted 5 days ago


Varsity Tutors rating

5.7

Company rating: 5.7 out of 10

Based on 16 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

14th of 23 rated private schools and tutoring


Job description

About the Job
The Varsity Tutors Live Learning Platform has thousands of students looking for online Adobe Illustrator tutors nationally. As a tutor on the Varsity Tutors Platform, you'll have the flexibility to set your own schedule, earn competitive rates, and make a real impact on students' academic success and understanding. All from the comfort of your home.
Why Join Our Platform?
  • Earn incrementally higher pay for each session with the same student, reaching up to $40/hour.
  • Get paid up to twice per week, ensuring fast and reliable compensation for the tutoring sessions you conduct and invoice.
  • Set your own hours and tutor as much as you'd like.
  • Tutor remotely using our purpose-built Live Learning Platform. No commuting required.
  • Get matched with students best-suited to your teaching style and expertise.
  • Our AI-powered Tutor Copilot enhances your sessions with real-time instructional support, lesson generation, and engagement features, helping you save prep time and focus on impactful teaching.
  • We handle the logistics—you just invoice for your tutoring sessions, and we take care of payments.

What We Look For In a Adobe Illustrator Tutor
  • Advanced Subject Mastery: Deep knowledge of vector graphics creation, pen tool mastery, shape building, typography, color management, gradient and pattern fills, artboard management, export settings, and print and digital production workflows in Adobe Illustrator. Ability to explain Bezier curves, pathfinder operations, and scalable vector design principles while preparing students for graphic design careers and professional illustration work.
  • Conceptual Teaching & Problem-Solving: Skilled at teaching vector drawing techniques, logo creation, and production-ready file preparation in Illustrator. Guides students through constructing precise paths with the pen tool, creating complex shapes using pathfinder and shape builder tools, applying typography and color systems, and preparing artwork for print and web output. Emphasizes efficient workflow and connects Illustrator skills to branding, packaging, and digital design careers.
  • Curriculum Awareness & Adaptive Instruction: Familiar with Adobe Illustrator curricula and common challenges such as pen tool control, understanding vector versus raster concepts, and mastering layer organization. Adapts instruction using guided tool tutorials, progressive design projects, and professional workflow demonstrations to support students from Illustrator beginners through advanced users building professional vector graphic design capabilities.
  • Effective Teaching Methods: Ability to identify concepts students commonly struggle with, explain material using multiple approaches, and adapt instruction to meet individual learning needs and styles.
  • Strong communication skills and a friendly, engaging teaching style.
  • Ability to adapt to different learning styles and student needs.

Ways To Connect With Students
  • 1-on-1 Online Tutoring - Provide personalized instruction to individual students.
  • Instant Tutoring - Accept on-demand tutoring requests whenever you're available.

About Varsity Tutors And 1-on-1 Online Tutoring
Our mission is to transform the way people learn by leveraging advanced technology, AI, and the latest in learning science to create personalized learning experiences. Through 1-on-1 Online Tutoring, students receive customized instruction that helps them achieve their learning goals. Our platform is designed to match students with the right tutors, fostering better outcomes and a passion for learning.
Please note: Varsity Tutors does not contract in: Alaska, California, Colorado, Delaware, Hawaii, Maine, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Vermont, West Virginia or Puerto Rico.

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