Creative · United States

Graphic Designer Salary in United States

The United States median is $67,100 per year, with observed city pay up to Washington DC at $95,200.

Showing amounts in USD (USD default). FX as of Tue, 01 Sep 2026 00:02:31 +0000. Convert currencies

Graphic Designer pay in United States: Washington DC leads, San Antonio trails

The United States national median for a graphic designer is $67,100 a year. Among 9 metros with observed data, pay runs from about $57,300 in San Antonio to $95,200 in Washington DC (1.7×).

Graphic designers create visual content for brands, products, and campaigns. Common screening skills include Typography, Adobe, Branding, and Layout.

A modeled national band runs about $44,200–$95,100 around that midpoint. Many top cash roles in the United States still run through employer sponsorship and specialty licensing. Employment outlook for the occupation is sketched at +3% over a decade — a national demand guess, not a hiring guarantee in every American city.

Washington DC sits +42% vs the national median; San Antonio sits -15%. Relocating inside United States for this title can move cash more than a small raise at the same desk. Open a city page for take-home and rent context — this national page is the map, not the offer.

United States shows about 2.9% CPI in 2024. A graphic designer raise that trails inflation is a real-pay cut even if it still beats last year’s peers. This occupation is also covered in 39 other countries — useful for remote or relocation shortlists, after FX and local tax. Nearby creative titles on this site include Architect, Copywriter, Video Editor, and Photographer.

How to use Graphic Designer pay data in United States

Start with the national median ($67,100), then pick the metro where you would actually work. Observed city rows below are stronger than a pay-index guess. If your city is missing, stay on this page for the country figure and check the United States hub for other careers.

Convert gross through the salary calculator before comparing two cities — tax and rent often reorder a cash ranking. Figures are estimates for research, not employer bands.

National band vs top metro

National sketch: $44,200 (10th) → $67,100 (median) → $95,100 (90th). Washington DC’s observed median is $95,200, with a local band about $55,600–$163,000. If an offer is “at the United States median” but the job is in Washington DC, you may still be under local market.

National median
$67,100
per year
Monthly (national)
$5,600
per month, before tax
Highest-paying city
$95,200
Washington DC, DC
Hourly (national)
$32.26
varies by city

Graphic Designer salary by city in United States

Cities below have observed metro percentiles for this role. Prefer these over national-only estimates when you are relocating to a specific market.

CityPer year
Washington DC, DC$95,200
San Diego, CA$85,100
Los Angeles, CA$72,400
Chicago, IL$66,500
Dallas, TX$63,800
Philadelphia, PA$63,100
Phoenix, AZ$59,100
Houston, TX$58,400
San Antonio, TX$57,300

Graphic Designer salary in other countries

Related Creative salaries in United States

Frequently asked questions

How much does a graphic designer make in United States?
The national median is about $67,100 per year. Across 9 observed cities, pay ranges from about $57,300 to $95,200.
Which United States city pays graphic designers the most?
Washington DC, DC leads observed metros at about $95,200 per year (+42% vs national).
Which United States city pays graphic designers the least?
Among observed cities, San Antonio, TX is on the lower end at about $57,300 per year.
How many United States cities have graphic designer salary data?
9 metros list observed graphic designer percentiles in USD on this site.
Is graphic designer in demand in United States?
Occupation-level employment is projected at about +3% over ten years. Local hiring still follows American industry mix.