District of Columbia Median
$87,920
per year
Hourly Rate
$42.27
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+40% vs US median
US median $62,960
State Rank
#1 of 51
1,150 employed here
How much does a Graphic Designer make in District of Columbia?
Graphic Designers in District of Columbia take home a median of $87,920 annually — roughly $42.27 an hour — which runs 40% above the national median of $62,960.
Within District of Columbia, entry-level pay starts around $62,240 while the top 10% make $136,660 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $75,300 and $114,280 a year.
Graphic Designer salary range in District of Columbia
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $62,240 | $29.92 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $75,300 | $36.20 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $87,920 | $42.27 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $114,280 | $54.94 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $136,660 | $65.70 |
|
How District of Columbia compares
District of Columbia ranks 1st out of 51 states and territories for Graphic Designer pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Graphic Designer salary in other states
Rhode Island $78,220New York $77,340Massachusetts $76,710California $75,130Maryland $75,120New Jersey $73,790Washington $72,710Connecticut $72,700Virginia $72,310Colorado $66,330Oregon $66,040Vermont $65,690Minnesota $63,860Nevada $62,890Alaska $62,570Illinois $62,560Utah $62,310Florida $61,660Pennsylvania $60,730New Hampshire $60,490Georgia $60,250Texas $60,150Delaware $60,130Ohio $60,080Maine $60,030Wisconsin $59,900Arizona $58,510North Carolina $58,450Hawaii $58,070Michigan $57,350Tennessee $57,270South Carolina $57,170Montana $56,890Missouri $56,750New Mexico $56,730Nebraska $56,700North Dakota $56,470Indiana $55,480Kansas $53,630Oklahoma $53,630Kentucky $52,960Alabama $51,070Idaho $50,350Iowa $50,310Louisiana $49,910South Dakota $48,390Arkansas $46,220Mississippi $45,640Wyoming $45,150West Virginia $40,350
Working as a Graphic Designer in District of Columbia
Nationally, about 198,000 people work as Graphic Designers in the United States. A bachelor's degree (about 4 years of college) is the standard entry requirement.
Considering a move? Compare District of Columbia pay ($87,920) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Graphic Designer make in District of Columbia?
The median Graphic Designer salary in District of Columbia is $87,920 per year, or about $42.27 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $62,240 at the entry level to $136,660 for the top 10% of earners.
How does District of Columbia pay compare to the national average?
District of Columbia pays Graphic Designers about 40% more than the national median of $62,960. District of Columbia ranks 1st out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is District of Columbia a good state for Graphic Designers?
Yes on pay — District of Columbia pays above the national median for this occupation, at $87,920 a year. About 1,150 Graphic Designers are employed in District of Columbia. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in District of Columbia?
The highest-paying occupations in District of Columbia include Neurologist ($332,000), Emergency Medicine Physician ($318,200), Podiatrist ($265,740), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Graphic Designer salary report
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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.