Research Summary. After extensive analysis by the Zippia data science team, we present the current landscape of designer salaries across the United States for 2026:
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Washington boasts the highest average designer salary at $99,369
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South Dakota has the lowest average designer salary at $43,912
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The national average salary for designers is $66,347
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The national hourly wage for designers is $31.9
For more details, refer to our specific methodology.
Background
Salary remains the most critical factor for job seekers, consistently ranking as the top priority in surveys across various demographics. Many are asking: how much do designers earn in my area?
While individual earnings can vary based on numerous factors, we have compiled comprehensive data on average designer salaries by state, segmented by experience level. Although your local salary may differ from the state average, these figures provide a valuable benchmark for your salary expectations.
Currently, Washington leads the states with the highest average salary for designers.
Here’s a quick overview of the top ten states for designer salaries:
Let’s delve into the data and examine a full ranking of all states.
Highest-Paid Designers By State
| Rank | State | Average Designer Salary | 10th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washington | $99,369 | $62,000 | $158,000 |
| 2 | Hawaii | $91,918 | $68,000 | $122,000 |
| 3 | Oregon | $78,743 | $49,000 | $124,000 |
| 4 | California | $78,588 | $49,000 | $124,000 |
| 5 | New Jersey | $73,316 | $49,000 | $108,000 |
| 6 | Michigan | $72,577 | $48,000 | $108,000 |
| 7 | Massachusetts | $72,503 | $49,000 | $105,000 |
| 8 | New York | $71,938 | $48,000 | $105,000 |
| 9 | West Virginia | $69,982 | $46,000 | $104,000 |
| 10 | Pennsylvania | $69,048 | $46,000 | $102,000 |
| 11 | Virginia | $68,696 | $45,000 | $102,000 |
| 12 | Illinois | $67,158 | $44,000 | $100,000 |
| 13 | Ohio | $66,438 | $44,000 | $99,000 |
| 14 | Colorado | $66,047 | $44,000 | $98,000 |
| 15 | Maryland | $65,838 | $44,000 | $97,000 |
| 16 | Alaska | $65,827 | $47,000 | $91,000 |
| 17 | New Hampshire | $65,770 | $45,000 | $95,000 |
| 18 | Rhode Island | $65,749 | $45,000 | $95,000 |
| 19 | Connecticut | $64,816 | $44,000 | $94,000 |
| 20 | Wisconsin | $64,756 | $43,000 | $96,000 |
| 21 | Delaware | $64,250 | $43,000 | $95,000 |
| 22 | Indiana | $63,474 | $42,000 | $95,000 |
| 23 | Iowa | $63,136 | $42,000 | $94,000 |
| 24 | North Carolina | $62,679 | $41,000 | $94,000 |
| 25 | Minnesota | $62,553 | $41,000 | $93,000 |
| 26 | Idaho | $61,600 | $39,000 | $96,000 |
| 27 | Texas | $61,594 | $40,000 | $93,000 |
| 28 | Georgia | $61,142 | $40,000 | $92,000 |
| 29 | Kentucky | $60,447 | $40,000 | $90,000 |
| 30 | Utah | $60,426 | $39,000 | $92,000 |
| 31 | Nevada | $60,410 | $38,000 | $94,000 |
| 32 | Arizona | $60,131 | $39,000 | $92,000 |
| 33 | Arkansas | $59,520 | $39,000 | $89,000 |
| 34 | Tennessee | $59,511 | $39,000 | $89,000 |
| 35 | Vermont | $58,861 | $40,000 | $84,000 |
| 36 | South Carolina | $58,652 | $38,000 | $88,000 |
| 37 | Alabama | $58,516 | $38,000 | $88,000 |
| 38 | Wyoming | $58,326 | $38,000 | $87,000 |
| 39 | Missouri | $56,905 | $38,000 | $85,000 |
| 40 | Louisiana | $56,175 | $36,000 | $85,000 |
| 41 | Nebraska | $56,062 | $37,000 | $83,000 |
| 42 | Kansas | $55,979 | $37,000 | $83,000 |
| 43 | Maine | $55,050 | $38,000 | $79,000 |
| 44 | North Dakota | $54,839 | $36,000 | $82,000 |
| 45 | Mississippi | $54,564 | $36,000 | $82,000 |
| 46 | Florida | $53,951 | $35,000 | $82,000 |
| 47 | New Mexico | $50,993 | $33,000 | $77,000 |
| 48 | Oklahoma | $48,017 | $32,000 | $71,000 |
| 49 | Montana | $47,772 | $31,000 | $73,000 |
| 50 | South Dakota | $43,912 | $29,000 | $65,000 |
Methodology: Designer Salary By State
To gain insight into designer compensation by state, Zippia aggregates data from various reputable sources, including the BLS, FLC, and OPM. This data is further supplemented with actual salary listings from job postings. Our data science team then calculates a weighted average of these inputs to establish an average pay for designers by state.
We rank every state based on average annual salary data for designers, with the state offering the highest salary receiving the top rank.
Designer Salary By State FAQs
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What is the highest-paid state for designers?
The highest-paid state for designers is Washington, with an average salary of $99,369 per year.
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What city pays designers the most?
Seattle, WA offers the highest salaries for designers, averaging $100,293 annually.
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What is the worst state for designers?
The state with the lowest average salary for designers is South Dakota, with an average salary of $43,912 per year.
Author
Chris Kolmar is a co-founder of Zippia and the editor-in-chief of the Zippia career advice blog. He has hired over 50 people in his career, been hired five times, and wants to help you land your next job. His research has been featured on the New York Times, Thrillist, VOX, The Atlantic, and a host of local news. More recently, he's been quoted on USA Today, BusinessInsider, and CNBC.
