Tennessee Median
$57,270
per year
Hourly Rate
$27.53
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-9% vs US median
US median $62,960
State Rank
#32 of 51
3,880 employed here
How much does a Graphic Designer make in Tennessee?
A Graphic Designer working in Tennessee earns a median salary of $57,270 per year, or about $27.53 per hour. That is 9% below the national median of $62,960 for this occupation.
Within Tennessee, entry-level pay starts around $37,910 while the top 10% make $92,540 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $47,510 and $75,170 a year.
Graphic Designer salary range in Tennessee
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $37,910 | $18.23 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $47,510 | $22.84 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $57,270 | $27.53 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $75,170 | $36.14 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $92,540 | $44.49 |
|
How Tennessee compares
Tennessee ranks 32nd 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 $58,510North Carolina $58,450Hawaii $58,070Michigan $57,350South 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 Tennessee
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 Tennessee pay ($57,270) 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 Tennessee?
The median Graphic Designer salary in Tennessee is $57,270 per year, or about $27.53 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $37,910 at the entry level to $92,540 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Tennessee pay compare to the national average?
Tennessee pays Graphic Designers about 9% less than the national median of $62,960. Tennessee ranks 32nd out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Tennessee a good state for Graphic Designers?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $57,270 a year. About 3,880 Graphic Designers are employed in Tennessee. 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 Tennessee?
The highest-paying occupations in Tennessee include Cardiologist ($610,080), Dermatologist ($433,630), Surgeon, All Other ($373,510), 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.