Also called: The Institute of Heraldry designer, Military graphic designer
Designs military medals, insignia, flags, seals, and unit patches at the Army's Institute of Heraldry.
Heraldry designers research a unit's history and symbols, sketch coats of arms and patches, and work with manufacturers to get colors exactly right. They designed many of the medals and seals Americans see on TV. It's one of the most unusual design jobs in the government.
Federal GS pay; based on BLS graphic designers (~$61k median).
Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.
Bachelor's degree (4-year), about 4 years after high school. Bachelor's in graphic design, fine arts, or illustration plus a strong portfolio.
Ways in: 4-year college. Training cost: $15k – $60k.
Majors to look at: Graphic Design, Illustration, Fine Arts.
Growing about average. A tiny office with rare openings; BLS projects ~2% growth for graphic designers.
Medium risk in 5 years, high in 10. AI image tools draft emblems and patches fast; fewer designers refine and research symbolism.
Classes: Art / drawing, Graphic design, US history.
Official data: O*NET occupation 27-1024.
Career Universe is an early version. Pay, training and AI-risk figures are estimates to start your own research, not verified facts. The research was written with AI research assistants, checked by validation scripts and spot-checked by hand. Check anything important with schools, employers and official sources. How the numbers work.