Graphic Designer Salary
Graphic designers create visual content using typography, imagery, color, and layout to communicate ideas and messages across print and digital media.
Graphic Designer Salary by Experience Level
Entry-level graphic designers earn around $38,000 per year, while mid-career professionals earn $58,000. Senior-level graphic designers can earn $88,000 or more.
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Check Your Rate — No Credit Impact →Salary Percentile Breakdown
The salary range for graphic designers varies significantly. The bottom 10% earn $36,400, while the top 10% earn $98,200.
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $36,400 |
| 25th Percentile | $45,400 |
| 50th Percentile (Median) | $57,990 |
| 75th Percentile | $74,600 |
| 90th Percentile | $98,200 |
Graphic Designer Salary by State
Graphic Designer salaries vary significantly by state due to cost of living, demand, and industry concentration. The highest paying state is Hawaii at $98,583, while Mississippi offers the lowest at $48,132.
| State | Median | |
|---|---|---|
| #1 Hawaii | $98,583 | Details → |
| #2 California | $80,026 | Details → |
| #3 Massachusetts | $78,287 | Details → |
| #4 Alaska | $71,908 | Details → |
| #5 New York | $70,748 | Details → |
| #6 New Jersey | $66,689 | Details → |
| #7 Washington | $66,689 | Details → |
| #8 Connecticut | $64,949 | Details → |
| #9 Maryland | $63,789 | Details → |
| #10 Oregon | $63,789 | Details → |
| #11 Colorado | $60,890 | Details → |
| #12 New Hampshire | $60,890 | Details → |
| #13 Rhode Island | $60,890 | Details → |
| #14 Virginia | $60,310 | Details → |
| #15 Delaware | $58,570 | Details → |
| #16 Vermont | $58,570 | Details → |
| #17 Florida | $56,830 | Details → |
| #18 Maine | $56,830 | Details → |
| #19 Arizona | $56,250 | Details → |
| #20 Minnesota | $56,250 | Details → |
| #21 Nevada | $56,250 | Details → |
| #22 Utah | $56,250 | Details → |
| #23 Pennsylvania | $55,670 | Details → |
| #24 Illinois | $55,091 | Details → |
| #25 Montana | $55,091 | Details → |
| #26 Idaho | $54,511 | Details → |
| #27 Georgia | $53,931 | Details → |
| #28 New Mexico | $53,931 | Details → |
| #29 North Carolina | $53,351 | Details → |
| #30 Texas | $53,351 | Details → |
| #31 Wisconsin | $53,351 | Details → |
| #32 Wyoming | $53,351 | Details → |
| #33 Louisiana | $52,771 | Details → |
| #34 Indiana | $52,191 | Details → |
| #35 Michigan | $52,191 | Details → |
| #36 Nebraska | $52,191 | Details → |
| #37 North Dakota | $52,191 | Details → |
| #38 Ohio | $52,191 | Details → |
| #39 Iowa | $51,611 | Details → |
| #40 South Carolina | $51,611 | Details → |
| #41 Tennessee | $51,611 | Details → |
| #42 Missouri | $51,031 | Details → |
| #43 South Dakota | $51,031 | Details → |
| #44 Alabama | $50,451 | Details → |
| #45 Kansas | $50,451 | Details → |
| #46 Kentucky | $50,451 | Details → |
| #47 Oklahoma | $49,871 | Details → |
| #48 Arkansas | $48,712 | Details → |
| #49 West Virginia | $48,712 | Details → |
| #50 Mississippi | $48,132 | Details → |
Negotiate Your Way to Senior Pay
Data shows Graphic Designers who negotiate earn 7–15% more. A single negotiation could add $30,010 over your career trajectory.
Get Negotiation Scripts — $197 →Key Responsibilities
- ● Create visual designs for print and digital media
- ● Develop brand identity elements including logos and style guides
- ● Collaborate with clients and teams on design concepts
- ● Prepare production-ready files for print and web
- ● Stay current with design trends and software tools
Top Skills
Education Required
Bachelor's degree
Job Outlook
As fast as average — projected 3% growth over the next decade
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