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Magazine Designer Jobs in Washington (NOW HIRING)

Sidwell Friends School

Senior Graphic Designer

Washington, DC · On-site

$73K - $100K/yr

The senior designer will report to the Chief Communications Officer. Key Responsibilities * Design ... Design the Schools award-winning magazine (three 80-page issues per year) in collaboration with the ...

Red Carrot

Graphic Designer II

Mclean, VA · On-site

Design and produce professional graphics, covers, and layouts for magazine components and technical reports * Incorporate text, photos, charts, and illustrations into cohesive, well-balanced designs

Red Carrot

Graphic Designer II

Mclean, VA · On-site

Design and produce professional graphics, covers, and layouts for magazine components and technical reports * Incorporate text, photos, charts, and illustrations into cohesive, well-balanced designs

AECOM

Interior Designer III

Washington, DC · On-site

Fortune Magazine ranked AECOM number one in the industry for the third straight year and has named ... Prepares designs and drawings using project specifications and discipline-associated written and ...

AECOM

Interior Designer III

Washington, DC · On-site

Fortune Magazine ranked AECOM number one in the industry for the third straight year and has named ... Prepares designs and drawings using project specifications and discipline-associated written and ...

AECOM

Interior Designer III

Washington, DC · On-site

Fortune Magazine ranked AECOM number one in the industry for the third straight year and has named ... Prepares designs and drawings using project specifications and discipline-associated written and ...

One Federal Solution

Graphic Designer III

Arlington, VA · On-site

The Graphic Designer III will perform senior-level design functions, including concept development ... newspapers, magazines, graphic design and artwork, infographics, video production, photographs ...

One Federal Solution

Graphic Designer III

Arlington, VA · On-site

The Graphic Designer III will perform senior-level design functions, including concept development ... newspapers, magazines, graphic design and artwork, infographics, video production, photographs ...

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Magazine Designer information

See Washington salary details

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How much do magazine designer jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 23, 2026, the average hourly pay for magazine designer in Washington is $25.32, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $22.88 and $29.95 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a magazine designer do?

A magazine designer is responsible for creating the visual layout and design of magazines, including arranging text, images, and graphics in an attractive and readable format. They work closely with editors, photographers, and writers to ensure each issue aligns with the magazine’s brand and editorial vision. Magazine designers use design software to create eye-catching covers, feature spreads, and advertisements, balancing aesthetics with readability. Their work helps engage readers and enhances the overall experience of the publication.

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

To thrive as a Magazine Designer, you need strong graphic design skills, an eye for layout and typography, and a relevant degree or diploma in design or visual communications. Proficiency with design software such as Adobe InDesign, Photoshop, and Illustrator is typically required. Creativity, attention to detail, and effective collaboration skills help designers create visually compelling and cohesive publications. These skills ensure that magazines are both aesthetically appealing and functionally effective in communicating their content to readers.

How does a magazine designer typically collaborate with editors and photographers during the production process?

Magazine designers work closely with editors to understand the theme and tone of each issue, ensuring that the visual layout complements the written content. They frequently collaborate with photographers to select and position images that enhance the articles and maintain visual consistency throughout the publication. Regular meetings and feedback sessions are common, making strong communication skills and adaptability essential for this role. This collaborative environment fosters creativity and ensures that both visual and editorial elements are aligned for the best reader experience.

What is the difference between Magazine Designer vs Graphic Designer?

AspectMagazine DesignerGraphic Designer
CredentialsDesign degree or related certificationDesign degree or related certification
Work EnvironmentPublishing houses, magazines, media companiesAdvertising agencies, corporate offices, freelance
Industry UsageSpecific to publishing and print mediaBroad, including print, digital, branding
Common Search IntentFocus on magazine layout and publication designGeneral visual communication and branding

Magazine Designers specialize in creating layouts and visual content specifically for magazines, focusing on print and digital publication aesthetics. Graphic Designers have a broader scope, working across various media including branding, advertising, and digital content. While both roles require similar skills and education, Magazine Designers focus on publication-specific design, whereas Graphic Designers work on diverse projects across industries.

What are the most commonly searched types of Magazine Designer jobs in Washington?

The most popular types of Magazine Designer jobs in Washington are:

What are popular job titles related to Magazine Designer jobs in Washington?

For Magazine Designer jobs in Washington, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Magazine Designer jobs in Washington look for?

The top searched job categories for Magazine Designer jobs in Washington are:

Magazine Designer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Magazine Designer job openings in Washington as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $52,665 per year, or $25.3 per hour.

Publications Specialist Level 2 - Magazine Editor

Venesco LLC

Mclean, VA • On-site

Full-time

Posted 2 days ago

New

Job description

Job Type
Full-time
Description
Publications Specialist Level 2 - Magazine Editor
SSI-Venesco JV LLC • Turner-Fairbank Highway Research Center, McLean, VA / FHWA Headquarters, Washington, DC • Full-time • Contingent upon contract award
About the Role
You will run a Federal agency's flagship full-color quarterly magazine - a publication read by transportation professionals worldwide, including State and local transportation officials, researchers, industry leaders, academia, and members of Congress.
This is a senior role that combines the logistics of a quarterly publication cycle with high-level editorial judgment. Multiple issues run concurrently, so you will be closing one issue, producing another, and planning a third at the same time. You own the production schedule, the approval chain, and the final quality of what goes out the door.
You are also the connective tissue of the program: between authors and designers, between technical reviewers and legal counsel, between the editorial calendar and the marketing calendar.
Responsibilities:
Lifecycle and production management
  • Oversee the complete magazine lifecycle for four issues per year - feature articles, regular departments, and special thematic issues.
  • Establish and hold production schedules, manage the publication cycle, and systematically track article versions through the full approval chain.
  • Coordinate and manage resources so each issue delivers by its due date while multiple issues run concurrently.

Editorial and writing
  • Provide high-level editorial support at all stages of production, assisting with content development and promotional materials.
  • Develop and write or edit feature articles, department content, announcements, summaries, and associated communications products.
  • Apply strict version control and quality assurance throughout editing and document production.

Story development and coordination
  • Gather and track story ideas, conduct interviews to verify or gather information, and organize stories across issues.
  • Compile a summary of proposed featured stories for Editorial Board review. Work with authors to ensure all necessary materials are received, arrange technical reviews, and validate that review feedback was incorporated.
  • Coordinate with printing specialists, copyright liaisons, Section 508 compliance officers, public affairs specialists, writers, editors, visual designers, and web developers.

Compliance and quality control
  • Ensure every article and the complete magazine adhere to the GPO Style Manual, the Chicago Manual of Style, the TFHRC RD&T Communication Reference Guide, and Section 508 accessibility requirements.
  • Confirm all necessary sign-offs and approvals are secured before public release, including management, legal counsel, and public affairs.
  • Manage complex review processes involving multiple stakeholders with competing timelines.

Distribution and archive
  • Manage the administrative aspects of distribution and formatting specifications.
  • Support posting the magazine to the web and distributing it through the agency's subscription platform.
  • Deliver an archive package of digital files for each issue - a web file, a file copy, and any additional archive copies including layout files, fonts, and images.
  • Monitor mailboxes and customer feedback mechanisms, respond to inquiries, and maintain project spreadsheets and reviewer contact lists.

Requirements
Required Qualifications
Education:
  • Bachelor's degree in Communications, English, Journalism, or a closely related field. A Master's degree or an equivalent advanced professional certification is highly desirable.

Experience:
  • A minimum of 7 to 10 years of progressively responsible experience in editorial and publication management.
  • A proven track record of overseeing the production of a periodical, preferably a technical or specialty publication such as a transportation or research journal.
  • Demonstrated experience managing a recurring publication cycle end to end, including production scheduling and version tracking through a multi-stakeholder approval chain.
  • Demonstrated Section 508 compliance experience in published content.

Preferred Qualifications
  • Experience with a Federal or Government-sponsored publication.
  • Experience in transportation, especially highway and surface transportation research.
  • Experience coordinating with a design and layout team working in Adobe InDesign.
  • Experience conducting author and subject matter expert interviews to develop feature content.

Technical Skills and Competencies
  • Expertise in project management for recurring publication cycles.
  • Advanced proficiency in substantive editing, copyediting, and proofreading.
  • Deep understanding of Section 508 compliance and Federal publishing standards.
  • Ability to manage complex approval workflows and coordinate between technical and creative teams.
  • Comfort with editorial tracking systems, spreadsheets, and database reporting.

Location, Schedule, and Credentialing
  • Onsite at TFHRC in McLean, VA and/or FHWA Headquarters in Washington, DC, with offsite work permitted subject to client approval.
  • Business hours fall between 6:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday, with a one-half hour unpaid lunch. Full-time baseline is 1,880 productive hours per year.
  • Unclassified position. A USDOT badge is required, which means a favorable HSPD-12 / PIV background check at the low risk / non-sensitive level - a National Agency Check with Inquiries including fingerprinting, covering the past five years. Work cannot begin until FHWA Personnel Security authorizes the candidate to report.

How to Apply
  • Submit a résumé of no more than two pages that clearly states your education, your years of relevant experience, and the specific programs and products you worked on.
  • Include a portfolio or work samples - publications, layouts, articles, campaigns, videos, or live web pages you personally produced. Redact anything not cleared for public release.
  • Be prepared to sign a letter of intent to accept employment contingent upon contract award, and to undergo a Federal background investigation.

Apply