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Graphic design professor salary
Average graphic design professor salary
$52,782
Graphic Design Professor Salary Insights
The salary for a Graphic Design Professor varies significantly across the United States, with an average of $52,782 annually. Factors such as geographic location, years of experience, and the type of institution (public vs. private) play a crucial role in determining potential earnings. For example, professors in states like California or New York often see higher salaries due to the demand for qualified educators in urban areas.
Additionally, positions at prestigious universities may offer competitive packages, including benefits and research opportunities. Those interested in advancing their careers can benefit from pursuing higher degrees or specialized certifications, which can further increase their market value. The landscape of graphic design education continues to evolve, creating diverse opportunities for professors to engage with students and industry trends.
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Consider leveraging online platforms to stay updated on job openings and salary trends. Resources like Zippia can assist you in navigating your career path, allowing you to compare salaries, apply for positions, and find the right fit for your professional goals.
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Where can a Graphic Design Professor earn more?
Graphic design professor salary estimates from across the web
Average graphic design professor salary by state
The average graphic design professor salary in Massachusetts, California, and Michigan are the highest in the U.S. The lowest average graphic design professor salary states are Oklahoma, Wisconsin, and Kansas.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for graphic design professors
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | $79,612 | $38.27 |
| 2 | Oregon | $67,587 | $32.49 |
| 3 | Alaska | $67,264 | $32.34 |
| 4 | New York | $68,121 | $32.75 |
| 5 | Michigan | $71,929 | $34.58 |
| 6 | Massachusetts | $81,334 | $39.10 |
| 7 | Connecticut | $71,378 | $34.32 |
| 8 | Virginia | $63,831 | $30.69 |
| 9 | Washington | $62,577 | $30.09 |
| 10 | Idaho | $62,442 | $30.02 |
| 11 | Minnesota | $59,453 | $28.58 |
| 12 | Nebraska | $55,337 | $26.60 |
| 13 | Utah | $52,900 | $25.43 |
| 14 | Texas | $53,054 | $25.51 |
| 15 | North Dakota | $56,784 | $27.30 |
| 16 | Vermont | $52,660 | $25.32 |
| 17 | Alabama | $52,677 | $25.33 |
| 18 | Rhode Island | $54,374 | $26.14 |
| 19 | New Hampshire | $55,923 | $26.89 |
| 20 | District of Columbia | $55,067 | $26.47 |
| 21 | Pennsylvania | $53,268 | $25.61 |
| 22 | New Jersey | $55,548 | $26.71 |
| 23 | Delaware | $54,258 | $26.09 |
| 24 | Arizona | $52,021 | $25.01 |
| 25 | Maryland | $57,843 | $27.81 |
| 26 | South Dakota | $48,367 | $23.25 |
| 27 | Montana | $50,569 | $24.31 |
| 28 | Colorado | $48,993 | $23.55 |
| 29 | Indiana | $52,025 | $25.01 |
| 30 | Arkansas | $51,483 | $24.75 |
| 31 | Maine | $48,380 | $23.26 |
| 32 | Tennessee | $50,167 | $24.12 |
| 33 | Louisiana | $47,620 | $22.89 |
| 34 | Kentucky | $45,360 | $21.81 |
| 35 | Ohio | $47,713 | $22.94 |
| 36 | Illinois | $50,658 | $24.35 |
| 37 | Georgia | $48,846 | $23.48 |
| 38 | Iowa | $43,820 | $21.07 |
| 39 | Florida | $47,359 | $22.77 |
| 40 | Hawaii | $46,358 | $22.29 |
| 41 | Wisconsin | $41,890 | $20.14 |
| 42 | Wyoming | $40,670 | $19.55 |
| 43 | West Virginia | $33,317 | $16.02 |
| 44 | North Carolina | $43,592 | $20.96 |
| 45 | South Carolina | $44,714 | $21.50 |
| 46 | New Mexico | $45,197 | $21.73 |
| 47 | Mississippi | $37,685 | $18.12 |
| 48 | Missouri | $44,443 | $21.37 |
| 49 | Nevada | $44,953 | $21.61 |
| 50 | Kansas | $41,308 | $19.86 |
| 51 | Oklahoma | $42,478 | $20.42 |
Highest paying cities for graphic design professors
The highest-paying cities for graphic design professors are Los Angeles, CA, Detroit, MI, and New York, NY.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Los Angeles, CA | $78,011 | $37.51 |
| 2 | Detroit, MI | $72,215 | $34.72 |
| 3 | New York, NY | $68,136 | $32.76 |
| 4 | Terre Haute, IN | $51,029 | $24.53 |
| 5 | Savannah, GA | $48,005 | $23.08 |
| 6 | Madison, WI | $41,543 | $19.97 |
Graphic design professor salary details
A graphic design professor's salary ranges from $34,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $81,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is a graphic design professor's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $81,000 | $6,750 | $39 |
| 75th Percentile | $66,000 | $5,500 | $32 |
| Average | $52,782 | $4,399 | $25 |
| 25th Percentile | $41,000 | $3,417 | $20 |
| 10th Percentile | $34,000 | $2,833 | $16 |
Highest paying graphic design professor jobs
The highest paying types of graphic design professors are professor, visiting professor, and associate professor.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Piano Teacher | $52,799 | $4,400 | $25.38 | 52,993 |
| Director Of Instruction | $72,536 | $6,045 | $34.87 | 4,904 |
| Art Instructor | $36,539 | $3,045 | $17.57 | 27,158 |
| Art Educator | $40,421 | $3,368 | $19.43 | 42,617 |
| Teaching Artist | $66,565 | $5,547 | $32.00 | 4,493 |
| Art Coordinator | $50,508 | $4,209 | $24.28 | 18,099 |
Top companies hiring graphic design professors now:
Which companies pay graphic design professors the most?
Graphic design professor salaries at College for Creative Studies and Savannah College of Art and Design are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average graphic design professor salary at companies like Daymar College and University of Wisconsin System are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | College for Creative Studies | $98,241 | $47.23 |
| 2 | Savannah College of Art and Design | $66,598 | $32.02 |
| 3 | Daymar College | $53,761 | $25.85 |
| 4 | University of Wisconsin System | $51,113 | $24.57 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
Graphic design professor salary trends
The average graphic design professor salary has risen by $5,574 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average graphic design professor earned $47,208 annually, but today, they earn $52,782 a year. That works out to a 2% change in pay for graphic design professors over the last decade.
Compare graphic design professor salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average graphic design professor salary over time
Compare graphic design professor salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
Graphic design professor salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $52,800 | $25.38 | +0.2% |
| 2025 | $52,700 | $25.32 | -0.6% |
| 2024 | $53,000 | $25.47 | +4.3% |
| 2023 | $50,700 | $24.37 | -2.6% |
| 2022 | $52,000 | $25.00 | +4.8% |
Recently added graphic design professor salaries
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Northeastern University | Open-Rank Teaching Professor In Design | Oakland, CA | 06/20/2025 | $80,450 |
| Northeastern University | Open-Rank Teaching Professor In Design | Oakland, CA | 05/23/2025 | $80,450 |
| Northeastern University | Open-Rank Teaching Professor In Design | Oakland, CA | 02/18/2025 | $80,450 |
| Mt. San Antonio College | Graphic Design & Illustration-Adjunct Professor | Walnut, CA | 01/29/2025 | $205,465 |
| American University | Professorial Lecturer In Graphic Design | Washington, DC | 12/18/2024 | $68,000 |
| Savannah College of Art and Design, Inc. | Professor, Production Design, Costume Design | Savannah, GA | 10/21/2024 | $83,040 |
| University of Illinois | Professor In Learning Design and Leadership | Champaign, IL | 09/24/2024 | $120,000 |
| Savannah College of Art and Design, Inc. | Professor of Sound Design | Savannah, GA | 06/07/2024 | $78,827 |
| Savannah College of Art and Design, Inc. | Professor of User Experience Design | Savannah, GA | 04/19/2024 | $78,827 |
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