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Graphic designer: pay, job outlook and how to become one

Updated October 26, 2026. Based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and O*NET data. Published by Humblebee.

$62,960median pay per year, or $30.27 an hour, May 2025[1]
  1. $39,520lowest 10% earn less
  2. $49,04025th percentile
  3. $62,960median
  4. $81,83075th percentile
  5. $104,910top 10% earn more
Middle half of workers in the inner band[4]Median for all US jobs, $50,980[5]

The median graphic designer earned $62,960 a year in May 2025[1]. BLS projects employment to decline 1.7% from 2025 to 2035, while all occupations grow 3.5%[2][3].

Job growth, 2025–35
-1.7%[2]
Openings per year
16,000[6]
Typical entry education
Bachelor's degree[7]

How much do graphic designers make?

The median wage for Graphic Designers was $62,960 a year, or $30.27 an hour[1]. Half of workers earned more and half earned less[1]. The mean (average) was $70,560 a year, or $33.92 an hour[8]. The median for all occupations was $50,980[5].

The lowest-paid 10% earned less than $39,520 a year, and the highest-paid 10% earned more than $104,910[4]. BLS says a percentile wage is a boundary and that it does not publish a starting salary[9].

Annual wage point Amount
10th percentile[4] $39,520
25th percentile[4] $49,040
Median[1] $62,960
75th percentile[4] $81,830
90th percentile[4] $104,910

By the hour, the 10th percentile was $19.00 and the 90th was $50.44[10]. These figures cover wage and salary workers only. They leave out the self-employed and the cost of benefits[11]. That matters here, because 20.5% of graphic designers were self-employed in 2025[12].

Pay by state and city

The District of Columbia had the highest median at $87,920, followed by Rhode Island at $78,220 and New York at $77,340[13]. West Virginia was last in the list at $40,350[13].

Among metro areas with at least 100 jobs, San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA came first at $97,360, then San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA at $92,050 and Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV at $85,420[14].

The most jobs were in California (27,390), New York (14,530) and Texas (13,670)[15]. Among metros, New York-Newark-Jersey City had the most at 15,160, followed by Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim at 13,810[16].

Show median pay in 50 states and DC
StateMedian per yearJobs
District of Columbia[13]$87,9201,150
Rhode Island$78,220750
New York$77,34014,530
Massachusetts$76,7104,450
California$75,13027,390
Maryland$75,1203,050
New Jersey$73,7905,670
Washington$72,7103,960
Connecticut$72,7001,930
Virginia$72,3104,740
Colorado$66,3304,200
Oregon$66,0404,140
Vermont$65,690410
Minnesota$63,8605,570
Nevada$62,8901,570
Alaska$62,570180
Illinois$62,5608,960
Utah$62,3102,720
Florida$61,66012,660
Pennsylvania$60,7308,150
New Hampshire$60,490790
Georgia$60,2505,920
Texas$60,15013,670
Delaware$60,130360
Ohio$60,0807,280
Maine$60,030560
Wisconsin$59,9004,130
Arizona$58,5103,560
North Carolina$58,4505,660
Hawaii$58,070520
Michigan$57,3506,070
Tennessee$57,2703,880
South Carolina$57,1701,930
Montana$56,890610
Missouri$56,7504,500
New Mexico$56,730850
Nebraska$56,7001,670
North Dakota$56,470460
Indiana$55,4803,450
Kansas$53,6301,730
Oklahoma$53,6302,040
Kentucky$52,9602,060
Alabama$51,0701,760
Idaho$50,350920
Iowa$50,3102,100
Louisiana$49,9101,750
South Dakota$48,390470
Arkansas$46,2201,390
Mississippi$45,640830
Wyoming$45,150240
West Virginia$40,350520

How to become a graphic designer

Someone whose degree is in another field may add technical design training and still meet most hiring qualifications[17]. Software vendors generally offer certification programs, which may give job seekers an edge[21]. With experience, designers may move up to roles such as chief designer or art director, or to other supervisory jobs[22].

In an O*NET survey of 20 workers, 65% said a bachelor's degree was required and 15% said a high school diploma or equivalent[23]. The survey is small, so treat it as a snapshot.

What graphic designers do

O*NET says graphic designers create graphics that meet commercial or promotional needs, for example packaging, displays or logos[24]. Common tasks include:

Sample job titles include Graphic Designer, Brand Designer and Production Artist[26]. BLS highlights analytical, artistic and communication skills[27][28][29].

Where they work

Graphic designers generally work in studios with computers and software[30]. Many work independently, while those at specialized design firms are often part of a team[30]. Many also work with colleagues or with clients on projects[30]. Self-employed workers were the largest employer group at 20%[31].

Schedules vary with workloads and deadlines[32]. Self-employed designers may need to meet clients in the evenings or on weekends, and may spend time looking for new projects[33].

Job outlook

BLS projects employment to decline 1.7% from 2025 to 2035, a loss of about 4,200 jobs[2]. Employment across all occupations is projected to grow 3.5%[3]. BLS names new technologies, including artificial intelligence, as a factor. They may replace some workers and make others more efficient[34]. About 197,830 people held wage and salary jobs in May 2025[35].

Even so, BLS expects about 16,000 openings a year on average[6]. The count covers positions left by people who retire or switch occupations as well as new jobs[6]. Each year, 2.2% of workers leave the labor force and 4.4% move to a different occupation[36].

Is it a good fit?

The median pay is above the all-occupations median, and the typical entry route is a bachelor's degree with no required work experience[1][5][7]. The job count is projected to shrink slightly[2]. A portfolio is central to hiring[18]. Self-employment is common, and OEWS wages do not cover it[11][12]. Pay depends on place, and state medians run from $40,350 to $87,920[13].

Related occupations from O*NET, with BLS median pay and projected growth[37].

Frequently asked questions

How much does a graphic designer make an hour?
The median was $30.27 an hour in May 2025, and the mean was $33.92[1][8].
What degree do you need to be a graphic designer?
BLS lists a bachelor's degree as the typical entry education[7]. The Occupational Outlook Handbook names graphic design or a related fine arts field[17].
Is graphic design a growing field?
BLS projects employment to fall 1.7% from 2025 to 2035, against 3.5% growth for all occupations[2][3].
What is the highest paying state for graphic designers?
The District of Columbia had the highest median at $87,920, then Rhode Island at $78,220[13].

Facts and sources

  1. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median wage for Graphic Designers in the US was $62,960 per year and $30.27 per hour. Half of workers earned more and half earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  2. BLS Employment Projections: employment of Graphic Designers is projected to decline 1.7% from 2025 to 2035, from about 253,100 to 248,800 jobs (a change of -4,200). These counts include self-employed workers. BLS Employment Projections
  3. BLS Employment Projections: employment in all occupations is projected to grow 3.5% from 2025 to 2035. BLS Employment Projections
  4. BLS OEWS, May 2025, annual wage percentiles for Graphic Designers: 10th percentile $39,520, 25th percentile $49,040, 75th percentile $81,830, 90th percentile $104,910. The 10th percentile means 10% of workers earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  5. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median annual wage for all occupations in the US was $50,980. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  6. BLS Employment Projections: about 16,000 openings for Graphic Designers are projected each year, on average, from 2025 to 2035. Openings include jobs that open when workers retire or move to other occupations, not only new jobs. BLS Employment Projections
  7. BLS Employment Projections, typical path into Graphic Designers: education needed for entry: Bachelor's degree; work experience in a related occupation: None; typical on-the-job training: None. BLS Employment Projections
  8. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the mean (average) wage for Graphic Designers was $70,560 per year and $33.92 per hour. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  9. BLS OEWS FAQ: a percentile wage is a boundary. The median (50th percentile) separates the highest-paid 50% from the lowest-paid 50% of workers in the occupation. OEWS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  10. BLS OEWS, May 2025, hourly wage percentiles for Graphic Designers: 10th percentile $19.00, 25th percentile $23.58, 75th percentile $39.34, 90th percentile $50.44. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  11. BLS OEWS FAQ: OEWS covers part-time and full-time workers paid a wage or salary. It does not cover the self-employed, owners and partners in unincorporated firms, household workers or unpaid family workers. OEWS wages do not include nonproduction bonuses or employer costs of benefits such as health insurance or retirement contributions. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  12. BLS Employment Projections: 20.5% of Graphic Designers were self-employed in 2025. BLS Employment Projections
  13. Median annual wage for Graphic Designers in every state with published data, May 2025 (table on this page). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  14. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the highest median annual wage for Graphic Designers (areas with at least 100 jobs): San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $97,360; San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $92,050; Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV $85,420; Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury, CT $81,800; New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ $79,280; Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA $78,500; Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH $78,270; Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $76,720. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  15. BLS OEWS, May 2025, states with the most Graphic Designers jobs: California 27,390; New York 14,530; Texas 13,670; Florida 12,660; Illinois 8,960. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  16. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the most Graphic Designers jobs: New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ 15,160 (median $79,280); Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA 13,810 (median $72,400); Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN 6,590 (median $66,490); Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX 4,790 (median $63,780); Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV 4,420 (median $85,420); Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA 4,060 (median $62,680). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  17. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  18. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  19. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Other Experience. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  20. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  21. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  22. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Advancement. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  23. O*NET 27-1024.00 survey of workers (20 respondents), education level they say is required: Bachelor's Degree 65%, High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED) 15%, Master's Degree 10%, Some College Courses 5%, Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree 5% (levels under 5% not listed). O*NET OnLine
  24. O*NET description of Graphic Designers. O*NET OnLine
  25. O*NET task list for Graphic Designers. O*NET OnLine
  26. O*NET 27-1024.00 sample job titles reported by workers: Artist, Brand Designer, Designer, Graphic Artist, Graphic Design Coordinator, Graphic Designer, Online Producer, Production Artist. O*NET OnLine
  27. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  28. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  29. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  30. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  31. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, largest employers of graphic designers in 2025: Self-employed workers 20%. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  32. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Work Schedules. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  33. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Work Schedules. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  34. BLS Employment Projections, factor affecting employment of Graphic Designers: Productivity change, capital/labor substitution - share decreases as new technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI), replace some workers and make other workers more efficient. BLS Employment Projections
  35. BLS OEWS, May 2025: about 197,830 people were employed as Graphic Designers in the US (wage and salary jobs, not counting self-employed workers). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  36. BLS Employment Projections, 2025-35 annual average for Graphic Designers: 2.2% of workers leave the labor force each year and 4.4% move to a different occupation. BLS Employment Projections
  37. Related occupations (O*NET) with BLS pay, growth and entry education. O*NET OnLine

Notes are for reading the data only. They are not facts and cannot be cited: use the wage_scope and percentile_meaning facts instead. OEWS employment (jobs in May 2025) and Employment Projections employment (2025, includes self-employed) are different measures and can differ. O*NET education shares come from a small survey of workers in the occupation, not from all workers.

This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerFacts has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.