North Carolina Median
$58,450
per year
Hourly Rate
$28.10
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-7% vs US median
US median $62,960
State Rank
#29 of 51
5,660 employed here
How much does a Graphic Designer make in North Carolina?
Graphic Designers in North Carolina take home a median of $58,450 annually — roughly $28.10 an hour — which runs 7% below the national median of $62,960.
Within North Carolina, entry-level pay starts around $37,680 while the top 10% make $95,380 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $46,710 and $74,410 a year.
Graphic Designer salary range in North Carolina
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $37,680 | $18.12 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $46,710 | $22.46 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $58,450 | $28.10 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $74,410 | $35.77 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $95,380 | $45.86 |
|
How North Carolina compares
North Carolina ranks 29th out of 51 states and territories for Graphic Designer pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Graphic Designer salary in other states
District of Columbia $87,920Rhode 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 $58,510Hawaii $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 North Carolina
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 North Carolina pay ($58,450) 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 North Carolina?
The median Graphic Designer salary in North Carolina is $58,450 per year, or about $28.10 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $37,680 at the entry level to $95,380 for the top 10% of earners.
How does North Carolina pay compare to the national average?
North Carolina pays Graphic Designers about 7% less than the national median of $62,960. North Carolina ranks 29th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is North Carolina a good state for Graphic Designers?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $58,450 a year. About 5,660 Graphic Designers are employed in North Carolina. A lower cost of living can offset the smaller paycheck, so compare take-home value, not just salary.
What are the highest-paying jobs in North Carolina?
The highest-paying occupations in North Carolina include Surgeon, All Other ($398,410), Dermatologist ($367,350), Emergency Medicine Physician ($339,350), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Graphic Designer salary report
Related salaries
$76,910
median pay · 48,000 employed
$83,910
median pay · 33,000 employed
$67,190
median pay · 72,000 employed
$62,200
median pay · 39,000 employed
$68,060
median pay · 9,000 employed
$59,570
median pay · 21,000 employed
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.