How Much Does a Graphic Designer Make? Salary by State
Median annual salary (U.S.)
$62,960
Graphic designers in the U.S. earn a median of $62,960 a year, or $30.27 an hour. Half of graphic designers earn more than $62,960 and half earn less. The top 10% make more than $104,910.
Pay percentiles for graphic designers
| Percentile | Hourly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $19.00 | $39,520 |
| 25th | $23.58 | $49,040 |
| 50th (median) | $30.27 | $62,960 |
| 75th | $39.34 | $81,830 |
| 90th | $50.44 | $104,910 |
U.S. wages, May 2025. BLS occupation: Graphic Designers (SOC 27-1024). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
Highest-paying states for graphic designers
| State | Median annual | Median hourly | vs. U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $87,920 | $42.27 | +40% |
| Rhode Island | $78,220 | $37.61 | +24% |
| New York | $77,340 | $37.19 | +23% |
| Massachusetts | $76,710 | $36.88 | +22% |
| California | $75,130 | $36.12 | +19% |
| Maryland | $75,120 | $36.12 | +19% |
| New Jersey | $73,790 | $35.48 | +17% |
| Washington | $72,710 | $34.96 | +15% |
| Connecticut | $72,700 | $34.95 | +15% |
| Virginia | $72,310 | $34.77 | +15% |
| United States | $62,960 | $30.27 | — |
Top 10 states by median annual wage, May 2025. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
How many graphic designers are there?
BLS counts about 197,830 graphic designers employed in the U.S. (May 2025, excluding the self-employed). The most jobs are in California (27,390), New York (14,530) and Texas (13,670).
The mean (average) annual wage is $70,560, higher than the median of $62,960.
Hourly to annual pay calculator
Per year
- Monthly
- $5,247
- Biweekly
- $2,422
- Weekly
- $1,211
- Daily (8 hours)
- $242
- Hours per year
- 2,080
BLS annual figure; hourly × 2,080 may differ slightly.
Frequently asked questions
How much do graphic designers make an hour?
The median hourly wage for graphic designers is $30.27. The middle 50% earn between $23.58 and $39.34 an hour.
Which state pays graphic designers the most?
District of Columbia has the highest median wage for graphic designers at $87,920, +40% vs. the U.S. median.
What is the starting salary for graphic designers?
BLS does not report pay by experience, but the lowest-paid 10% of graphic designers earn less than $39,520 a year, a common proxy for entry-level pay.