Creative & Education

Graphic Designer Salary

Graphic designers create visual content using typography, imagery, color, and layout to communicate ideas and messages across print and digital media.

Median Salary
$57,990
Mean Salary
$62,450
Total Employed
281,500
Job Growth
+3%

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.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$38,000
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$58,000
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$88,000

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 →

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

Adobe Creative Suite Typography Layout Design Color Theory Branding UI Design

Education Required

Bachelor's degree

Job Outlook

As fast as average — projected 3% growth over the next decade