Best states for a graphics illustrator

Q: What is the best state for graphics illustrators?

The best state to be a graphics illustrator is California based on graphics illustrator salaries and job opportunities.

Q: What is the highest paying state for graphics illustrators?

The highest paying state for graphics illustrators is South Dakota based on Zippia’s salary database.

Q: What is the worst state for graphics illustrators?

The worst state for graphics illustrators is Mississippi, due to a combination of low salaries and few job opportunities.

Quoted expert

Dr. Julia Gaines

Rank 1 - 10
11 - 20
21 - 30
31 - 40
41 - 51

Do you wonder which states in the U.S. are the best for graphics illustrators? If so, we have the full list of best to worst states for graphics illustrator jobs for you to check out and see if you think it's time to move and start anew. Not all states fare the same when it come to job opportunity and pay.This way, if you are newly entering the job market, or you are looking to change jobs, you know which places are the best for graphics illustrator jobs.

In order to get you the best states for graphics illustrators, we looked at our data on jobs and wages -- specifically the average annual wage and the number of available jobs per capita.We found that the South is best for graphics illustrators, and the Northeast is the worst. San Francisco, CA is the best city in the country for graphics illustrator jobs, where as California is the best state in the country.

10 best states for graphics illustrators in 2025

1. California
Total graphics illustrator jobs: 884
Average annual salary: $96,403
Lowest 10 percent earn: $59,000
Highest 10 percent earn: $156,000
Location Quotient:
1.76
Graphics illustrator jobs in California
2. Washington
Total graphics illustrator jobs: 171
Average annual salary: $82,491
Lowest 10 percent earn: $51,000
Highest 10 percent earn: $131,000
Location Quotient:
1.36
Graphics illustrator jobs in Washington
3. Rhode Island
Total graphics illustrator jobs: 27
Average annual salary: $78,968
Lowest 10 percent earn: $50,000
Highest 10 percent earn: $123,000
Location Quotient:
1.29
Graphics illustrator jobs in Rhode Island
4. Massachusetts
Total graphics illustrator jobs: 179
Average annual salary: $83,288
Lowest 10 percent earn: $53,000
Highest 10 percent earn: $129,000
Location Quotient:
1.13
Graphics illustrator jobs in Massachusetts
5. Illinois
Total graphics illustrator jobs: 170
Average annual salary: $78,730
Lowest 10 percent earn: $51,000
Highest 10 percent earn: $121,000
Location Quotient:
0.83
Graphics illustrator jobs in Illinois
6. District of Columbia
Total graphics illustrator jobs: 46
Average annual salary: $79,994
Lowest 10 percent earn: $50,000
Highest 10 percent earn: $126,000
Location Quotient:
1.59
Graphics illustrator jobs in District of Columbia
7. Oregon
Total graphics illustrator jobs: 97
Average annual salary: $72,084
Lowest 10 percent earn: $45,000
Highest 10 percent earn: $114,000
Location Quotient:
1.36
Graphics illustrator jobs in Oregon
8. New York
Total graphics illustrator jobs: 424
Average annual salary: $73,164
Lowest 10 percent earn: $46,000
Highest 10 percent earn: $114,000
Location Quotient:
1.92
Graphics illustrator jobs in New York
9. Virginia
Total graphics illustrator jobs: 155
Average annual salary: $74,850
Lowest 10 percent earn: $47,000
Highest 10 percent earn: $118,000
Location Quotient:
0.95
Graphics illustrator jobs in Virginia
10. Pennsylvania
Total graphics illustrator jobs: 155
Average annual salary: $73,396
Lowest 10 percent earn: $46,000
Highest 10 percent earn: $115,000
Location Quotient:
0.77
Graphics illustrator jobs in Pennsylvania

Graphics illustrator jobsNear Columbus, OH

How Zippia determines the best states to be a graphics illustrator

You can read about how the best state rankings are calculated here.

Detailed list of the best states for a graphics illustrator

Rank	State	Average salary	Lowest 10% earn	Population	Job count
1	California	$96,403	$59,000	39,536,653	884
2	Washington	$82,491	$51,000	7,405,743	171
3	Rhode Island	$78,968	$50,000	1,059,639	27
4	Massachusetts	$83,288	$53,000	6,859,819	179
5	Illinois	$78,730	$51,000	12,802,023	170
6	District of Columbia	$79,994	$50,000	693,972	46
7	Oregon	$72,084	$45,000	4,142,776	97
8	New York	$73,164	$46,000	19,849,399	424
9	Virginia	$74,850	$47,000	8,470,020	155
10	Pennsylvania	$73,396	$46,000	12,805,537	155
11	Michigan	$71,634	$45,000	9,962,311	108
12	New Hampshire	$67,568	$43,000	1,342,795	44
13	New Jersey	$77,491	$49,000	9,005,644	87
14	West Virginia	$72,431	$45,000	1,815,857	14
15	Maryland	$70,507	$44,000	6,052,177	111
16	Delaware	$68,137	$43,000	961,939	17
17	Wisconsin	$63,794	$41,000	5,795,483	119
18	Ohio	$67,466	$42,000	11,658,609	125
19	North Carolina	$65,159	$41,000	10,273,419	139
20	Nevada	$68,324	$42,000	2,998,039	23
21	Alaska	$71,714	$50,000	739,795	8
22	Arizona	$67,765	$43,000	7,016,270	66
23	Utah	$62,647	$39,000	3,101,833	73
24	Texas	$62,944	$40,000	28,304,596	361
25	Wyoming	$62,801	$40,000	579,315	12
26	Connecticut	$64,238	$40,000	3,588,184	76
27	Indiana	$66,779	$42,000	6,666,818	61
28	Maine	$63,204	$41,000	1,335,907	18
29	North Dakota	$65,746	$44,000	755,393	8
30	Vermont	$63,403	$41,000	623,657	10
31	Colorado	$63,067	$41,000	5,607,154	82
32	Idaho	$59,260	$37,000	1,716,943	22
33	Montana	$62,632	$40,000	1,050,493	9
34	Hawaii	$56,542	$42,000	1,427,538	14
35	Kentucky	$57,491	$36,000	4,454,189	40
36	Iowa	$54,173	$35,000	3,145,711	55
37	Nebraska	$55,308	$36,000	1,920,076	30
38	Florida	$55,686	$35,000	20,984,400	219
39	Minnesota	$58,408	$38,000	5,576,606	88
40	New Mexico	$57,090	$36,000	2,088,070	20
41	Louisiana	$55,989	$35,000	4,684,333	38
42	Tennessee	$54,453	$35,000	6,715,984	64
43	Georgia	$52,759	$33,000	10,429,379	172
44	Missouri	$55,715	$36,000	6,113,532	62
45	Arkansas	$54,663	$35,000	3,004,279	25
46	Oklahoma	$52,106	$34,000	3,930,864	38
47	Kansas	$51,851	$34,000	2,913,123	37
48	South Dakota	$44,747	$29,000	869,666	14
49	Alabama	$51,629	$33,000	4,874,747	40
50	South Carolina	$50,973	$32,000	5,024,369	44
51	Mississippi	$49,240	$31,000	2,984,100	20

Highest paying states for graphics illustrators

Rank	State	Avg. Graphics Illustrator Salary
1	California	$96,403
2	Washington	$82,491
3	Rhode Island	$78,968
4	Massachusetts	$83,288
5	Illinois	$78,730
6	District of Columbia	$79,994
7	Oregon	$72,084
8	New York	$73,164
9	Virginia	$74,850
10	Pennsylvania	$73,396
11	Michigan	$71,634
12	New Hampshire	$67,568
13	New Jersey	$77,491
14	West Virginia	$72,431
15	Maryland	$70,507
16	Delaware	$68,137
17	Wisconsin	$63,794
18	Ohio	$67,466
19	North Carolina	$65,159
20	Nevada	$68,324
21	Alaska	$71,714
22	Arizona	$67,765
23	Utah	$62,647
24	Texas	$62,944
25	Wyoming	$62,801
26	Connecticut	$64,238
27	Indiana	$66,779
28	Maine	$63,204
29	North Dakota	$65,746
30	Vermont	$63,403
31	Colorado	$63,067
32	Idaho	$59,260
33	Montana	$62,632
34	Hawaii	$56,542
35	Kentucky	$57,491
36	Iowa	$54,173
37	Nebraska	$55,308
38	Florida	$55,686
39	Minnesota	$58,408
40	New Mexico	$57,090
41	Louisiana	$55,989
42	Tennessee	$54,453
43	Georgia	$52,759
44	Missouri	$55,715
45	Arkansas	$54,663
46	Oklahoma	$52,106
47	Kansas	$51,851
48	South Dakota	$44,747
49	Alabama	$51,629
50	South Carolina	$50,973
51	Mississippi	$49,240

Expert opinions on the best states for graphics illustrators

Are there any particularly good places in the United States for graphics illustrators to find work opportunities?
Dr. Julia Gaines
Director, Professor, Percussion, University of Missouri - Columbia
Education is still a top market, and that will be needed in every state. Even private studios have evolved to teaching online, all over the world. The location has now become a bit more irrelevant. As long as you can work with a computer well, you should be able to get a job in the education field. Even international opportunities will be more relevant to students, at this point.

Graphics illustrator best states FAQs

What is the best state for graphics illustrators?

What is the highest paying state for graphics illustrators?

What is the worst state for graphics illustrators?

Have more questions? See all answers to common arts, entertainment, sports, and media questions.

Search for graphics illustrator jobs

Zippia Careers
Arts, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Industry
Graphics Illustrator
Best states for Graphics Illustrators

Updated January 8, 2025

Browse arts, entertainment, sports, and media jobs

Total graphics illustrator jobs:	884
Average annual salary:	$96,403
Lowest 10 percent earn:	$59,000
Highest 10 percent earn:	$156,000
Location Quotient:	1.76

Best states for a graphics illustrator

10 best states for graphics illustrators in 2025

1. California

2. Washington

3. Rhode Island

4. Massachusetts

5. Illinois

6. District of Columbia

7. Oregon

8. New York

9. Virginia

10. Pennsylvania