Research Summary. Extensive research by the Zippia data science team has revealed the current landscape of graphic designer salaries across the United States as of 2026:
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Massachusetts boasts the highest graphic designer salary at $58,553
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Montana holds the lowest graphic designer salary at $33,534
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The national average salary for graphic designers stands at $49,450
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Nationally, graphic designers earn an average hourly wage of $23.77
For a deeper understanding, refer to the specific methodology.
Background
Salary remains the most critical factor for many job seekers, including graphic designers. Understanding local salary trends helps you gauge what compensation to expect in your area.
While individual circumstances vary, comprehensive data on average salaries for graphic designers by state—including seniority levels—provides valuable insights. These averages can help set realistic salary expectations as you navigate your career.
As of 2026, Massachusetts continues to lead the way in graphic designer salaries.
Here’s a quick overview of the top ten states for graphic designer salaries:
Let’s delve deeper into the data and explore a comprehensive ranking of all states.
Highest-Paid Graphic Designers By State
| Rank | State | Average Graphic Designer Salary | 10th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Massachusetts | $58,553 | $42,000 | $80,000 |
| 2 | Washington | $57,422 | $38,000 | $85,000 |
| 3 | New York | $57,176 | $41,000 | $79,000 |
| 4 | Maine | $56,874 | $42,000 | $75,000 |
| 5 | Virginia | $56,436 | $39,000 | $80,000 |
| 6 | Rhode Island | $54,484 | $39,000 | $74,000 |
| 7 | Maryland | $54,398 | $38,000 | $76,000 |
| 8 | New Jersey | $54,188 | $38,000 | $75,000 |
| 9 | California | $52,089 | $35,000 | $76,000 |
| 10 | Alaska | $51,987 | $41,000 | $64,000 |
| 11 | West Virginia | $51,299 | $36,000 | $72,000 |
| 12 | Pennsylvania | $51,256 | $36,000 | $72,000 |
| 13 | Michigan | $50,070 | $35,000 | $70,000 |
| 14 | Oregon | $49,537 | $33,000 | $73,000 |
| 15 | Connecticut | $48,408 | $34,000 | $67,000 |
| 16 | North Carolina | $48,310 | $34,000 | $67,000 |
| 17 | Delaware | $47,750 | $33,000 | $67,000 |
| 18 | Illinois | $47,696 | $33,000 | $67,000 |
| 19 | Colorado | $47,544 | $34,000 | $65,000 |
| 20 | Hawaii | $47,448 | $33,000 | $67,000 |
| 21 | New Hampshire | $45,469 | $33,000 | $61,000 |
| 22 | Ohio | $45,369 | $32,000 | $64,000 |
| 23 | Minnesota | $45,284 | $32,000 | $63,000 |
| 24 | Nevada | $45,211 | $30,000 | $66,000 |
| 25 | North Dakota | $44,841 | $32,000 | $62,000 |
| 26 | Arizona | $44,674 | $31,000 | $63,000 |
| 27 | Wisconsin | $43,383 | $30,000 | $61,000 |
| 28 | Kentucky | $43,186 | $31,000 | $59,000 |
| 29 | Indiana | $42,939 | $30,000 | $60,000 |
| 30 | Texas | $42,171 | $30,000 | $58,000 |
| 31 | Missouri | $41,835 | $30,000 | $57,000 |
| 32 | South Carolina | $41,779 | $30,000 | $57,000 |
| 33 | Wyoming | $41,164 | $29,000 | $57,000 |
| 34 | Vermont | $40,874 | $30,000 | $54,000 |
| 35 | Idaho | $40,829 | $27,000 | $59,000 |
| 36 | Florida | $40,800 | $29,000 | $56,000 |
| 37 | Tennessee | $40,414 | $29,000 | $55,000 |
| 38 | Kansas | $40,358 | $29,000 | $55,000 |
| 39 | Utah | $39,836 | $27,000 | $57,000 |
| 40 | Nebraska | $39,452 | $28,000 | $54,000 |
| 41 | Alabama | $39,021 | $28,000 | $53,000 |
| 42 | Georgia | $38,707 | $28,000 | $53,000 |
| 43 | Arkansas | $38,567 | $28,000 | $52,000 |
| 44 | Iowa | $36,695 | $26,000 | $51,000 |
| 45 | New Mexico | $36,290 | $25,000 | $50,000 |
| 46 | Louisiana | $36,021 | $25,000 | $49,000 |
| 47 | Mississippi | $35,488 | $25,000 | $48,000 |
| 48 | South Dakota | $34,887 | $24,000 | $48,000 |
| 49 | Oklahoma | $33,740 | $24,000 | $46,000 |
| 50 | Montana | $33,534 | $23,000 | $47,000 |
Methodology: Graphic Designer Salary By State
To effectively analyze graphic designer pay by state, Zippia has compiled data from various reliable sources, including the BLS and OPM, alongside actual salaries listed in job postings. The data science team calculates a weighted average to represent the average pay for graphic designers across states.
This analysis ranks states based on average annual salary data, highlighting the state with the highest average salary for graphic designers.
Graphic Designer Salary By State FAQs
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What is the highest-paid state for graphic designers?
The highest-paid state for graphic designers is Massachusetts with an average salary of $58,553 per year.
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What city pays graphic designers the most?
Washington, DC offers the highest average salary for graphic designers at $63,052 per year.
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What is the worst state for graphic designers?
The lowest-paying state for graphic designers is Montana with an average salary of $33,534 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.
