Median Salary
$62,960
per year, national
Hourly Rate
$30.27
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
Top 10% Earn
$104,910
entry level starts ~$39,520
Pay Grade
B
solid pay · 198,000 employed
How much does a Graphic Designer make?
Graphic Designers in the United States bring home a median salary of $62,960 a year, or around $30.27 an hour. Pay spans a wide range: the bottom 10% earn under $39,520, while the top 10% earn $104,910.
That is $1,570 more than the median across all occupations in BLS data ($61,390).
Graphic Designer salary range by percentile
Half of all Graphic Designers earn between $49,040 and $81,830 a year.
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $39,520 | $19.00 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $49,040 | $23.58 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $62,960 | $30.27 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $81,830 | $39.34 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $104,910 | $50.44 |
|
Highest-paying states for Graphic Designer
Where you work matters more than almost anything else. District of Columbia leads the country for Graphic Designer pay at $87,920 a year, followed by Rhode Island ($78,220) and New York ($77,340). At the other end, West Virginia posts the lowest median at $40,350 — a gap of $47,570 for the same job, driven by local demand, industry mix, and cost of living.
Graphic Designer salary in every state
Official BLS state-level figures across 51 states and territories. Click a state for the full local breakdown.
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 $57,350Tennessee $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
Workforce and education
About 198,000 people work as Graphic Designers in the United States. The mean (average) wage is $70,560 — above the median, which means high earners pull the average up. On qualifications: a bachelor's degree (about 4 years of college) is the standard entry requirement, per O*NET occupation data.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Graphic Designer make in the United States?
The median Graphic Designer salary in the United States is $62,960 per year, or about $30.27 per hour, according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates. Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $39,520, while the top 10% of earners make $104,910 or more.
How does Graphic Designer pay compare to other jobs?
With a pay grade of B (solid pay), the Graphic Designer median of $62,960 is above the national median across all occupations tracked in BLS data ($61,390).
Which state pays Graphic Designers the most?
District of Columbia is the highest-paying state for Graphic Designers, with a median salary of $87,920 per year, based on official state-level BLS wage estimates.
How long does it take to become a Graphic Designer?
Becoming a Graphic Designer typically requires about 4 years of college. A bachelor's degree (about 4 years of college) is the standard entry requirement.
How many Graphic Designers work in the United States?
About 198,000 people were employed as Graphic Designers in the United States in the latest BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics estimates.
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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). Percentiles, employment, and state figures are official BLS estimates; hourly figures assume 2,080 hours/year. Individual pay varies by employer, experience, and location.