Best cities for a graphic designer/illustrator
The best cities for graphic designer/illustrators are Toledo, OH, Cleveland, OH, and Columbus, OH, based on factors like average salary and job availability per capita. Jobs and pay for graphic designer/illustrators vary across the country, but we've determined the ten best cities for graphic designer/illustrators in the U.S.
Whether you're starting your career as a graphic designer/illustrator or considering a move, this list of the best cities for graphic designer/illustrators to live in will help you decide. These aren't just the best-paying cities for graphic designer/illustrators. We also consider how easy it is to find work as a graphic designer/illustrator. While the absolute best city for graphic designer/illustrators is Toledo, OH, there are plenty of other great places to consider.
Keep reading to learn more about the best cities for graphic designer/illustrators in 2024.
If you're looking for a graphic designer/illustrator job, here are five companies hiring now:
10 best cities for graphic designer/illustrators in 2026
1. Toledo, OH
Total graphic designer/illustrator jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $41,519 Lowest 10 percent warn: $29,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $58,000 Location quotient: 0.00 2. Cleveland, OH
Total graphic designer/illustrator jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $42,718 Lowest 10 percent warn: $30,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $60,000 Location quotient: 0.00 3. Columbus, OH
Total graphic designer/illustrator jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $40,998 Lowest 10 percent warn: $29,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $57,000 Location quotient: 0.00 4. Philadelphia, PA
Total graphic designer/illustrator jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $48,995 Lowest 10 percent warn: $33,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $72,000 Location quotient: 0.00 5. Chicago, IL
Total graphic designer/illustrator jobs: 2 Average annual salary: $47,976 Lowest 10 percent warn: $35,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $65,000 Location quotient: 5.77 6. Fort Wayne, IN
Total graphic designer/illustrator jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $42,174 Lowest 10 percent warn: $30,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $58,000 Location quotient: 0.00 7. Jersey City, NJ
Total graphic designer/illustrator jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $50,165 Lowest 10 percent warn: $34,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $73,000 Location quotient: 0.00 8. Pittsburgh, PA
Total graphic designer/illustrator jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $45,736 Lowest 10 percent warn: $31,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $66,000 Location quotient: 0.00 9. Newark, NJ
Total graphic designer/illustrator jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $50,112 Lowest 10 percent warn: $34,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $73,000 Location quotient: 0.00 10. Detroit, MI
Total graphic designer/illustrator jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $43,394 Lowest 10 percent warn: $31,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $60,000 Location quotient: 0.00
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Best cities for graphic designer/illustrators
- Toledo, OH
- Cleveland, OH
- Columbus, OH
- Philadelphia, PA
- Chicago, IL
- Fort Wayne, IN
- Jersey City, NJ
- Pittsburgh, PA
- Newark, NJ
- Detroit, MI
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Detailed list of the best cities for a graphic designer/illustrator
| Rank | City | Average salary | Lowest 10% Earn | Population | Job count |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Toledo, OH | $41,519 | $29,000 | 278,508 | - |
| 2 | Cleveland, OH | $42,718 | $30,000 | 385,809 | - |
| 3 | Columbus, OH | $40,998 | $29,000 | 860,090 | - |
| 4 | Philadelphia, PA | $48,995 | $33,000 | 1,567,872 | - |
| 5 | Chicago, IL | $47,976 | $35,000 | 2,704,958 | 2 |
| 6 | Fort Wayne, IN | $42,174 | $30,000 | 264,488 | - |
| 7 | Jersey City, NJ | $50,165 | $34,000 | 264,152 | - |
| 8 | Pittsburgh, PA | $45,736 | $31,000 | 303,625 | - |
| 9 | Newark, NJ | $50,112 | $34,000 | 281,764 | - |
| 10 | Detroit, MI | $43,394 | $31,000 | 672,795 | - |
| 11 | San Francisco, CA | $53,162 | $35,000 | 870,887 | 4 |
| 12 | Indianapolis, IN | $40,615 | $29,000 | 855,164 | - |
| 13 | Virginia Beach, VA | $49,246 | $33,000 | 452,602 | - |
| 14 | Norfolk, VA | $48,987 | $33,000 | 245,115 | - |
| 15 | Anchorage, AK | $47,721 | $41,000 | 298,192 | - |
| 16 | Fresno, CA | $52,314 | $34,000 | 522,053 | - |
| 17 | Chesapeake, VA | $48,635 | $33,000 | 237,940 | - |
| 18 | Durham, NC | $41,545 | $29,000 | 263,016 | - |
| 19 | San Jose, CA | $53,132 | $35,000 | 1,025,350 | - |
| 20 | Sacramento, CA | $52,112 | $34,000 | 495,234 | - |
| 21 | Raleigh, NC | $41,537 | $29,000 | 458,880 | - |
| 22 | Fremont, CA | $53,067 | $35,000 | 233,136 | - |
| 23 | Oakland, CA | $53,065 | $35,000 | 420,005 | - |
| 24 | Glendale, AZ | $43,179 | $30,000 | 245,895 | - |
| 25 | Stockton, CA | $52,483 | $35,000 | 307,072 | - |
| 26 | Bakersfield, CA | $52,035 | $34,000 | 376,380 | - |
| 27 | Phoenix, AZ | $43,157 | $30,000 | 1,615,017 | - |
| 28 | Scottsdale, AZ | $43,108 | $30,000 | 246,645 | - |
| 29 | Greensboro, NC | $40,959 | $29,000 | 287,027 | - |
| 30 | Cincinnati, OH | $39,213 | $28,000 | 298,800 | - |
| 31 | Chandler, AZ | $43,008 | $30,000 | 247,477 | - |
| 32 | Mesa, AZ | $42,995 | $30,000 | 484,587 | - |
| 33 | Gilbert, AZ | $42,980 | $30,000 | 237,133 | - |
| 34 | Winston-Salem, NC | $40,714 | $29,000 | 242,203 | - |
| 35 | El Paso, TX | $41,938 | $30,000 | 683,080 | - |
| 36 | Los Angeles, CA | $51,055 | $34,000 | 3,976,322 | - |
| 37 | Lubbock, TX | $41,140 | $29,000 | 252,506 | - |
| 38 | Tucson, AZ | $42,497 | $30,000 | 530,706 | - |
| 39 | Long Beach, CA | $50,784 | $34,000 | 470,130 | - |
| 40 | Anaheim, CA | $50,670 | $34,000 | 351,043 | - |
| 41 | Santa Ana, CA | $50,587 | $34,000 | 334,217 | - |
| 42 | Fort Worth, TX | $40,720 | $29,000 | 854,113 | - |
| 43 | Irvine, CA | $50,486 | $34,000 | 266,122 | - |
| 44 | Riverside, CA | $50,418 | $34,000 | 324,722 | - |
| 45 | Boston, MA | $45,990 | $33,000 | 673,184 | - |
| 46 | Arlington, TX | $40,695 | $29,000 | 392,772 | - |
| 47 | Washington, DC | $53,449 | $36,000 | 681,170 | - |
| 48 | Irving, TX | $40,652 | $29,000 | 238,289 | - |
| 49 | Dallas, TX | $40,644 | $29,000 | 1,317,929 | - |
| 50 | Seattle, WA | $45,460 | $33,000 | 704,352 | - |
Highest paying cities for graphic designer/illustrators
| Rank | City | Avg. graphic designer/illustrator salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mountain View, CA | $53,215 |
| 2 | McLean, VA | $50,999 |
| 3 | Chicago, IL | $47,976 |
| 4 | New York, NY | $47,322 |
| 5 | Hillsboro, OR | $40,555 |
| 6 | Houston, TX | $40,099 |
| 7 | Colorado Springs, CO | $39,516 |
| 8 | Tampa, FL | $36,060 |
| 9 | Atlanta, GA | $35,582 |