Graphic Designers Salary by State
The national median pay for graphic designers is $62,960 a year. By state, it ranges from $40,350 in West Virginia to $87,920 in District of Columbia.
Updated October 2026 · Data: BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
U.S. pay range
- Lowest 10%
- $39,520
- 25th percentile
- $49,040
- Median
- $62,960
- 75th percentile
- $81,830
- Top 10%
- $104,910
Annual pay, all U.S. workers in this job. About 197,830 jobs.
Median pay in 50 states and DC
| # | State | Median | vs. U.S. | Lowest 10% | Top 10% | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | $87,920 | +40% | $62,240 | $136,660 | 1,150 |
| 2 | Rhode Island | $78,220 | +24% | $49,330 | $107,580 | 750 |
| 3 | New York | $77,340 | +23% | $43,680 | $131,250 | 14,530 |
| 4 | Massachusetts | $76,710 | +22% | $47,830 | $108,970 | 4,450 |
| 5 | California | $75,130 | +19% | $46,190 | $129,560 | 27,390 |
| 6 | Maryland | $75,120 | +19% | $44,810 | $109,630 | 3,050 |
| 7 | New Jersey | $73,790 | +17% | $47,490 | $122,940 | 5,670 |
| 8 | Washington | $72,710 | +15% | $47,780 | $115,210 | 3,960 |
| 9 | Connecticut | $72,700 | +15% | $47,420 | $106,830 | 1,930 |
| 10 | Virginia | $72,310 | +15% | $39,020 | $121,680 | 4,740 |
| 11 | Colorado | $66,330 | +5% | $47,030 | $118,560 | 4,200 |
| 12 | Oregon | $66,040 | +5% | $45,260 | $170,680 | 4,140 |
| 13 | Vermont | $65,690 | +4% | $42,640 | $123,500 | 410 |
| 14 | Minnesota | $63,860 | +1% | $42,690 | $96,960 | 5,570 |
| 15 | Nevada | $62,890 | 0% | $39,470 | $88,890 | 1,570 |
| 16 | Alaska | $62,570 | −1% | $39,380 | $103,440 | 180 |
| 17 | Illinois | $62,560 | −1% | $36,060 | $98,750 | 8,960 |
| 18 | Utah | $62,310 | −1% | $39,170 | $96,810 | 2,720 |
| 19 | Florida | $61,660 | −2% | $39,810 | $101,860 | 12,660 |
| 20 | Pennsylvania | $60,730 | −4% | $39,430 | $102,090 | 8,150 |
| 21 | New Hampshire | $60,490 | −4% | $47,030 | $95,680 | 790 |
| 22 | Georgia | $60,250 | −4% | $34,860 | $100,110 | 5,920 |
| 23 | Texas | $60,150 | −4% | $36,340 | $92,910 | 13,670 |
| 24 | Delaware | $60,130 | −4% | $41,040 | $92,920 | 360 |
| 25 | Ohio | $60,080 | −5% | $39,050 | $99,370 | 7,280 |
| 26 | Maine | $60,030 | −5% | $39,160 | $79,000 | 560 |
| 27 | Wisconsin | $59,900 | −5% | $42,680 | $85,050 | 4,130 |
| 28 | Arizona | $58,510 | −7% | $43,780 | $88,590 | 3,560 |
| 29 | North Carolina | $58,450 | −7% | $37,680 | $95,380 | 5,660 |
| 30 | Hawaii | $58,070 | −8% | $31,890 | $91,080 | 520 |
| 31 | Michigan | $57,350 | −9% | $38,770 | $86,320 | 6,070 |
| 32 | Tennessee | $57,270 | −9% | $37,910 | $92,540 | 3,880 |
| 33 | South Carolina | $57,170 | −9% | $37,190 | $90,000 | 1,930 |
| 34 | Montana | $56,890 | −10% | $37,790 | $104,780 | 610 |
| 35 | Missouri | $56,750 | −10% | $36,950 | $83,270 | 4,500 |
| 36 | New Mexico | $56,730 | −10% | $35,400 | $75,680 | 850 |
| 37 | Nebraska | $56,700 | −10% | $37,440 | $78,840 | 1,670 |
| 38 | North Dakota | $56,470 | −10% | $37,610 | $75,700 | 460 |
| 39 | Indiana | $55,480 | −12% | $38,520 | $98,020 | 3,450 |
| 40 | Kansas | $53,630 | −15% | $37,440 | $86,260 | 1,730 |
| 41 | Oklahoma | $53,630 | −15% | $27,310 | $80,980 | 2,040 |
| 42 | Kentucky | $52,960 | −16% | $32,620 | $81,690 | 2,060 |
| 43 | Alabama | $51,070 | −19% | $33,050 | $89,130 | 1,760 |
| 44 | Idaho | $50,350 | −20% | $32,900 | $82,140 | 920 |
| 45 | Iowa | $50,310 | −20% | $36,970 | $75,510 | 2,100 |
| 46 | Louisiana | $49,910 | −21% | $35,910 | $76,300 | 1,750 |
| 47 | South Dakota | $48,390 | −23% | $36,290 | $66,620 | 470 |
| 48 | Arkansas | $46,220 | −27% | $31,570 | $79,730 | 1,390 |
| 49 | Mississippi | $45,640 | −28% | $32,260 | $75,480 | 830 |
| 50 | Wyoming | $45,150 | −28% | $32,820 | $82,990 | 240 |
| 51 | West Virginia | $40,350 | −36% | $29,530 | $61,640 | 520 |
BLS OEWS May 2025 state estimates. States without published data are not listed. “Not published”: BLS withheld the value or it is above the highest amount BLS publishes. Pay is not adjusted for living costs.
Graphic Designers salary questions
Which state pays graphic designers the most?
District of Columbia, with a median of $87,920 a year (+40% vs. the national median of $62,960). BLS May 2025.
Which state pays graphic designers the least?
West Virginia, with a median of $40,350 a year (−36% vs. national).
Where do most graphic designers work?
California has the most jobs, about 27,390, with a median of $75,130.
Does a higher salary mean more money left over?
Not always. These are pay figures only. Living costs, taxes and housing differ a lot between states, and this page does not adjust for them.