Average Salary for Graphic Designers
SOC 27-1024 · Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · 2024 data
The median annual wage for Graphic Designers in the United States is $61,300 ($29.47/hr), based on 2024 BLS OEWS data. Wages range from $37,600 at the 10th percentile to $103,030 at the 90th percentile nationally. An estimated 214,260 people work in this occupation across the country. The national median wage has grown 33.6% since 2014.
Median Annual
$61,300
Mean Annual
$68,610
10th Pct
$37,600
75th Pct
$79,000
Employment
214,260
Salary Distribution
$38k
10th
$47k
25th
$61k
Median
$79k
75th
$103k
90th
Highest Paying Metro Areas
| Metro Area | Median Annual |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $98,530 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $89,490 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $82,630 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $82,360 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | $78,000 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $75,850 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $75,820 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $75,470 |
| Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury, CT | $75,220 |
| Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO | $74,540 |
| Napa, CA | $74,460 |
| Greeley, CO | $73,810 |
| Sierra Vista-Douglas, AZ | $72,500 |
| Kennewick-Richland, WA | $70,590 |
| Walla Walla, WA | $70,590 |
Salary by State
| State | Median Annual |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $90,710 |
| California | $76,440 |
| Massachusetts | $76,370 |
| Washington | $76,010 |
| New York | $74,530 |
| Virginia | $70,060 |
| New Jersey | $66,600 |
| Colorado | $66,360 |
| Maryland | $66,290 |
| Connecticut | $65,360 |
| Rhode Island | $64,190 |
| Oregon | $63,800 |
| Vermont | $62,180 |
| Texas | $62,030 |
| Illinois | $60,010 |
| Utah | $59,010 |
| Minnesota | $58,590 |
| Wisconsin | $58,380 |
| Florida | $57,900 |
| Georgia | $57,860 |
| New Mexico | $57,780 |
| New Hampshire | $57,310 |
| Nevada | $57,180 |
| Indiana | $56,440 |
| South Carolina | $56,180 |
| Delaware | $56,160 |
| Montana | $55,370 |
| Alaska | $55,230 |
| Ohio | $55,140 |
| Maine | $53,490 |
| Pennsylvania | $52,990 |
| Michigan | $52,600 |
| Nebraska | $52,420 |
| Arizona | $52,240 |
| Tennessee | $51,740 |
| Hawaii | $51,630 |
| Missouri | $50,900 |
| North Carolina | $50,600 |
| Kentucky | $50,330 |
| Oklahoma | $50,310 |
| Kansas | $49,820 |
| Idaho | $48,640 |
| Alabama | $48,130 |
| North Dakota | $47,900 |
| Iowa | $47,560 |
| Arkansas | $46,430 |
| Louisiana | $46,300 |
| Mississippi | $45,260 |
| South Dakota | $43,950 |
| Wyoming | $43,290 |
| West Virginia | $36,870 |
| Guam | $31,240 |
| Puerto Rico | $29,500 |
Salary by Industry
National median wage for Graphic Designers broken down by industry sector, 2024 data.
| Industry | Median Annual |
|---|---|
| Securities, Commodity Contracts, and Other Financial Investments and Related Activities | $99,380 |
| Federal Executive Branch (OEWS Designation) | $99,250 |
| Federal Government, including the U.S. Postal Service (OEWS Designation) | $99,250 |
| Personal and Laundry Services | $97,400 |
| Natural Gas Distribution | $94,730 |
| Software Publishers | $94,150 |
| Shoe Retailers | $92,690 |
| Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences | $88,940 |
| Utilities | $86,800 |
| Utilities | $86,800 |
| Electric Power Generation, Transmission and Distribution | $86,780 |
| Support Activities for Air Transportation | $84,530 |
| Scientific Research and Development Services | $83,790 |
| Engineering Services | $83,340 |
| Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing | $81,650 |
| Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services | $81,520 |
| Media Streaming Distribution Services, Social Networks, and Other Media Networks and Content Providers | $81,050 |
| Direct Health and Medical Insurance Carriers | $80,220 |
| Facilities Support Services | $80,020 |
| Motion Picture and Video Industries | $79,560 |
| Employment Services | $79,400 |
| Temporary Help Services | $79,400 |
| Motion Picture and Sound Recording Industries | $78,980 |
| Computing Infrastructure Providers, Data Processing, Web Hosting, and Related Services | $78,920 |
| Computing Infrastructure Providers, Data Processing, Web Hosting, and Related Services | $78,920 |
| Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing | $78,760 |
| Other Insurance Related Activities | $78,190 |
| Accounting, Tax Preparation, Bookkeeping, and Payroll Services | $78,110 |
| Waste Management and Remediation Services | $77,870 |
| Specialty (except Psychiatric and Substance Abuse) Hospitals | $77,490 |
| Insurance Carriers | $77,400 |
| Finance and Insurance | $76,740 |
| Water Transportation | $76,490 |
| Deep Sea, Coastal, and Great Lakes Water Transportation | $76,490 |
| Direct Insurance (except Life, Health, and Medical) Carriers | $76,260 |
| Broadcasting and Content Providers | $76,020 |
| Legal Services | $75,990 |
| Communications Equipment Manufacturing | $75,830 |
| Ship and Boat Building | $75,780 |
| Insurance Carriers and Related Activities | $75,750 |
| Telecommunications | $75,600 |
| Federal, State, and Local Government, excluding State and Local Government Schools and Hospitals and the U.S. Postal Service (OEWS Designation) | $75,200 |
| Federal, State, and Local Government, excluding State and Local Government Schools and Hospitals and the U.S. Postal Service (OEWS Designation) | $75,200 |
| Jewelry, Luggage, and Leather Goods Retailers | $75,120 |
| Technical and Trade Schools | $74,600 |
| Other Transportation Equipment Manufacturing | $74,360 |
| Computer and Electronic Product Manufacturing | $74,230 |
| Medical and Diagnostic Laboratories | $74,150 |
| Management of Companies and Enterprises | $72,960 |
| Management of Companies and Enterprises | $72,960 |
| Management of Companies and Enterprises | $72,960 |
| Household Appliance Manufacturing | $72,440 |
| Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities | $72,340 |
| Testing Laboratories and Services | $72,270 |
| Air Transportation | $71,450 |
| Transportation Equipment Manufacturing | $70,680 |
| Agencies, Brokerages, and Other Insurance Related Activities | $69,950 |
| Semiconductor and Other Electronic Component Manufacturing | $69,900 |
| Hospitals | $69,870 |
| Dairy Product Manufacturing | $69,630 |
| General Medical and Surgical Hospitals | $69,470 |
| Pharmaceutical and Medicine Manufacturing | $69,460 |
| Nursing Care Facilities (Skilled Nursing Facilities) | $68,940 |
| Credit Intermediation and Related Activities (5221 and 5223 only) | $68,800 |
| Credit Intermediation and Related Activities | $68,550 |
| Business, Professional, Labor, Political, and Similar Organizations | $68,490 |
| Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing (3323 and 3324 only) | $68,380 |
| Elementary and Secondary Schools | $67,950 |
| Bakeries and Tortilla Manufacturing | $67,940 |
| Insurance Agencies and Brokerages | $67,880 |
| Plumbing, Heating, and Air-Conditioning Contractors | $67,700 |
| Electric Lighting Equipment Manufacturing | $67,600 |
| Support Activities for Transportation | $67,590 |
| Nondepository Credit Intermediation | $67,580 |
| Building Equipment Contractors | $67,390 |
| Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services | $67,380 |
| Administrative and Support Services | $67,380 |
| Investigation and Security Services | $67,260 |
| Audio and Video Equipment Manufacturing | $66,990 |
| Nonresidential Building Construction | $66,890 |
| Grantmaking and Giving Services | $66,590 |
| Electrical Equipment, Appliance, and Component Manufacturing | $66,560 |
| Fruit and Vegetable Preserving and Specialty Food Manufacturing | $66,550 |
| Freight Transportation Arrangement | $66,400 |
| Computer Systems Design and Related Services | $66,370 |
| Electrical Contractors and Other Wiring Installation Contractors | $66,340 |
| Chemical Manufacturing | $66,310 |
| Local Government, excluding Schools and Hospitals (OEWS Designation) | $66,290 |
| Security Systems Services | $65,870 |
| Office Administrative Services | $65,620 |
| Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | $65,490 |
| Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | $65,490 |
| Other Nondepository Credit Intermediation | $65,280 |
| Manufacturing and Reproducing Magnetic and Optical Media | $65,210 |
| Merchant Wholesalers, Nondurable Goods (4242 and 4246 only) | $65,010 |
| Professional and Commercial Equipment and Supplies Merchant Wholesalers | $64,880 |
| Plastics Product Manufacturing | $64,430 |
| Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services | $64,210 |
| State Government, excluding Schools and Hospitals (OEWS Designation) | $64,120 |
| Motor Vehicle Manufacturing | $63,970 |
| Chemical Manufacturing (3255 and 3256 only) | $63,950 |
| Construction of Buildings | $63,940 |
| Federal, State, and Local Government, including State and Local Government Schools and Hospitals and the U.S. Postal Service (OEWS Designation) | $63,910 |
| Business Schools and Computer and Management Training | $63,910 |
| Animal Slaughtering and Processing | $63,840 |
| Apparel, Piece Goods, and Notions Merchant Wholesalers | $63,700 |
| Offices of Physicians | $63,660 |
| Specialized Design Services | $63,410 |
| Plastics and Rubber Products Manufacturing | $63,380 |
| Travel Arrangement and Reservation Services | $63,360 |
| Local Government, including Schools and Hospitals (OEWS Designation) | $63,330 |
| Independent Artists, Writers, and Performers | $63,320 |
| Information | $63,170 |
| Amusement Parks and Arcades | $62,970 |
| Television Broadcasting Stations | $62,940 |
| Other Electrical Equipment and Component Manufacturing | $62,820 |
| Social Advocacy Organizations | $62,810 |
| Radio and Television Broadcasting Stations | $62,760 |
| Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing (3321, 3322, 3325, 3326, and 3329 only) | $62,700 |
| Electrical Equipment Manufacturing | $62,670 |
| Motor Vehicle Parts Manufacturing | $62,570 |
| Educational Support Services | $62,560 |
| Health Care and Social Assistance | $62,470 |
| Other Support Services | $62,460 |
| Other Food Manufacturing | $62,450 |
| Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations | $62,400 |
| Motor Vehicle Body and Trailer Manufacturing | $62,380 |
| Computer and Peripheral Equipment Manufacturing | $62,370 |
| Other Residential Care Facilities | $62,290 |
| Machinery Manufacturing (3331, 3332, 3334, and 3339 only) | $62,020 |
| Chemical Manufacturing (3251, 3252, 3253, and 3259 only) | $62,000 |
| Furniture and Related Product Manufacturing (3371 and 3372 only) | $61,820 |
| Farm and Garden Machinery and Equipment Merchant Wholesalers | $61,800 |
| Converted Paper Product Manufacturing | $61,790 |
| Pulp, Paper, and Paperboard Mills | $61,740 |
| Paper Manufacturing | $61,740 |
| Other Services (except Public Administration) | $61,620 |
| Food Manufacturing | $61,520 |
| Educational Services | $61,500 |
| Sound Recording Industries | $61,480 |
| Ambulatory Health Care Services | $61,420 |
| Nursing and Residential Care Facilities | $61,400 |
| Machinery Manufacturing | $61,350 |
| Furniture and Related Product Manufacturing | $61,300 |
| Transportation and Warehousing | $61,290 |
| Other Ambulatory Health Care Services | $61,110 |
| Cross-industry, Private Ownership only | $61,100 |
| Gambling Industries | $61,100 |
| Commercial and Service Industry Machinery Manufacturing | $61,050 |
| Merchant Wholesalers, Durable Goods | $61,000 |
| Traveler Accommodation | $60,990 |
| Radio Broadcasting Stations | $60,870 |
| Construction | $60,830 |
| Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools | $60,760 |
| Home Health Care Services | $60,680 |
| Offices of Physical, Occupational and Speech Therapists, and Audiologists | $60,580 |
| All Other Ambulatory Health Care Services | $60,490 |
| Animal Food Manufacturing | $60,440 |
| Wholesale Trade | $60,390 |
| Accommodation | $60,360 |
| Merchant Wholesalers, Durable Goods (4232, 4233, 4235, 4236, 4237, and 4239 only) | $60,320 |
| Casino Hotels | $60,310 |
| Real Estate | $60,270 |
| Wholesale Trade Agents and Brokers | $60,130 |
| Wholesale Trade Agents and Brokers | $60,130 |
| Textile Furnishings Mills | $60,110 |
| Real Estate and Rental and Leasing | $60,060 |
| Rental and Leasing Services (5322, 5323, and 5324 only) | $60,020 |
| Rental and Leasing Services | $59,950 |
| Merchant Wholesalers, Nondurable Goods | $59,920 |
| Educational Services | $59,830 |
| Outpatient Care Centers | $59,820 |
| Advertising, Public Relations, and Related Services | $59,730 |
| Health and Personal Care Retailers | $59,610 |
| Health and Personal Care Retailers | $59,610 |
| Lessors of Nonfinancial Intangible Assets (except Copyrighted Works) | $59,590 |
| Building Finishing Contractors | $59,590 |
| Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing | $59,590 |
| Lessors of Nonfinancial Intangible Assets (except Copyrighted Works) | $59,590 |
| Performing Arts, Spectator Sports, and Related Industries | $59,560 |
| State Government, including Schools and Hospitals (OEWS Designation) | $59,480 |
| Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation | $59,190 |
| Museums, Historical Sites, and Similar Institutions | $59,080 |
| Museums, Historical Sites, and Similar Institutions | $59,080 |
| Promoters of Performing Arts, Sports, and Similar Events | $58,860 |
| Medical Equipment and Supplies Manufacturing | $58,790 |
| Publishing Industries | $58,430 |
| Child Care Services | $58,400 |
| Social Assistance | $58,280 |
| Community Food and Housing, and Emergency and Other Relief Services | $58,280 |
| Individual and Family Services | $58,250 |
| Specialty Trade Contractors | $58,220 |
| Full-Service Restaurants | $58,150 |
| Merchant Wholesalers, Nondurable Goods (4241, 4247, and 4249 only) | $58,130 |
| Sugar and Confectionery Product Manufacturing | $57,980 |
| Beverage and Tobacco Product Manufacturing | $57,950 |
| Beverage Manufacturing | $57,920 |
| Machinery, Equipment, and Supplies Merchant Wholesalers | $57,880 |
| Rubber Product Manufacturing | $57,580 |
| Amusement, Gambling, and Recreation Industries | $57,470 |
| Residential Building Construction | $57,350 |
| Motor Vehicle and Motor Vehicle Parts and Supplies Merchant Wholesalers | $57,300 |
| Warehousing and Storage | $57,120 |
| Warehousing and Storage | $57,120 |
| Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities | $57,040 |
| Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction | $57,010 |
| Religious Organizations | $56,960 |
| Residential Intellectual and Developmental Disability, Mental Health, and Substance Abuse Facilities | $56,340 |
| Nonmetallic Mineral Product Manufacturing | $56,060 |
| Accommodation and Food Services | $55,850 |
| Cut and Sew Apparel Manufacturing | $55,780 |
| Apparel Manufacturing | $55,670 |
| Metalworking Machinery Manufacturing | $55,550 |
| Furniture and Home Furnishings Retailers | $55,380 |
| Services to Buildings and Dwellings | $55,240 |
| Furniture, Home Furnishings, Electronics, and Appliance Retailers | $54,960 |
| Offices of Other Health Practitioners | $54,330 |
| Foundation, Structure, and Building Exterior Contractors | $54,320 |
| Machine Shops | $53,520 |
| Machine Shops; Turned Product; and Screw, Nut, and Bolt Manufacturing | $53,520 |
| Electronics and Appliance Retailers | $53,510 |
| Food and Beverage Retailers (4451 and 4452 only) | $53,020 |
| Food and Beverage Retailers | $53,020 |
| Vocational Rehabilitation Services | $52,990 |
| Support Activities for Agriculture and Forestry | $52,980 |
| Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting | $52,980 |
| Agents and Managers for Artists, Athletes, Entertainers, and Other Public Figures | $52,850 |
| Junior Colleges | $52,730 |
| Other Amusement and Recreation Industries | $52,470 |
| Fitness and Recreational Sports Centers | $52,470 |
| Landscaping Services | $52,220 |
| Other Schools and Instruction | $52,140 |
| Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | $52,040 |
| Spectator Sports | $51,970 |
| Support Activities for Crop Production | $51,950 |
| General Merchandise Retailers | $51,950 |
| Other Miscellaneous Retailers | $51,650 |
| Retail Trade | $51,540 |
| Continuing Care Retirement Communities and Assisted Living Facilities for the Elderly | $51,420 |
| Clothing, Clothing Accessories, Shoe, and Jewelry Retailers | $50,900 |
| Web Search Portals, Libraries, Archives, and Other Information Services | $50,830 |
| Web Search Portals, Libraries, Archives, and Other Information Services | $50,830 |
| Clothing and Clothing Accessories Retailers | $50,550 |
| Restaurants and Other Eating Places | $50,220 |
| Miscellaneous Store Retailers (4594 and 4595 only) | $50,000 |
| Civic and Social Organizations | $49,990 |
| Performing Arts Companies | $49,990 |
| Sporting Goods, Hobby, Musical Instrument, Book, and Miscellaneous Retailers | $49,920 |
| Other Wood Product Manufacturing | $49,900 |
| Wood Product Manufacturing | $49,900 |
| Jewelry and Silverware Manufacturing | $49,890 |
| Fabric Mills | $49,770 |
| Automobile Dealers | $49,640 |
| Automotive Parts, Accessories, and Tire Retailers | $49,540 |
| Motor Vehicle and Parts Dealers | $49,540 |
| Automotive Body, Paint, Interior, and Glass Repair | $49,390 |
| Automotive Repair and Maintenance | $49,270 |
| Repair and Maintenance | $49,270 |
| Highway, Street, and Bridge Construction | $49,240 |
| Business Support Services | $49,160 |
| Other Motor Vehicle Dealers | $49,010 |
| Manufacturing | $48,950 |
| Textile and Fabric Finishing and Fabric Coating Mills | $48,860 |
| Textile Mills | $48,860 |
| Sporting Goods, Hobby, and Musical Instrument Retailers | $48,790 |
| Special Food Services | $48,610 |
| Merchant Wholesalers, Nondurable Goods (4244 and 4248 only) | $48,490 |
| Miscellaneous Manufacturing | $48,250 |
| Other Miscellaneous Manufacturing | $48,060 |
| Newspaper, Periodical, Book, and Directory Publishers | $48,010 |
| Foundries | $47,660 |
| Primary Metal Manufacturing | $47,660 |
| Building Material and Supplies Dealers | $47,440 |
| Theater Companies and Dinner Theaters | $47,220 |
| Coating, Engraving, Heat Treating, and Allied Activities | $47,140 |
| Leather and Allied Product Manufacturing | $46,880 |
| Other Leather and Allied Product Manufacturing | $46,880 |
| Building Material and Garden Equipment and Supplies Dealers | $46,600 |
| Sporting Goods Retailers | $46,160 |
| Printing and Related Support Activities | $45,690 |
| Printing and Related Support Activities | $45,690 |
| Apparel Knitting Mills | $45,390 |
| Apparel Accessories and Other Apparel Manufacturing | $44,610 |
| Food Services and Drinking Places | $44,380 |
| Electronic and Precision Equipment Repair and Maintenance | $44,370 |
| Textile Product Mills | $43,860 |
| Photographic Services | $43,800 |
| Other Specialty Trade Contractors | $41,540 |
| Other Automotive Repair and Maintenance | $41,450 |
| Other Textile Product Mills | $40,460 |
| Drinking Places (Alcoholic Beverages) | $39,220 |
| Newspaper Publishers | $38,210 |
| Lawn and Garden Equipment and Supplies Retailers | $38,210 |
| Book Retailers and News Dealers | $37,610 |
| Offices of Mental Health Practitioners (except Physicians) | $32,220 |
National Wage Trend
View data table
| Year | Median Annual |
|---|---|
| 2024 | $61,300 |
| 2023 | $58,910 |
| 2022 | $57,990 |
| 2021 | $50,710 |
| 2020 | $53,380 |
| 2019 | $52,110 |
| 2018 | $50,370 |
| 2017 | $48,700 |
| 2016 | $47,640 |
| 2015 | $46,900 |
| 2014 | $45,900 |