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Graphic designer/illustrator salary
Average graphic designer/illustrator salary
$45,124
Average Graphic Designer/Illustrator Salary
As of October 2025, the average salary for a Graphic Designer/Illustrator in the United States is $45,124 per year. This figure can fluctuate significantly based on factors such as experience, location, and the specific industry in which one is employed. For instance, entry-level positions typically start around $35,000 annually, while experienced professionals can earn upwards of $60,000 or more.
Salary by Experience Level
Graphic designers with less than five years of experience can expect salaries closer to the lower end of the spectrum, while those with over ten years in the field often see their compensation increase substantially. Additionally, specialization in areas like digital design or branding can lead to higher earnings.
Where Can You Earn More?
Specific states and cities offer more lucrative opportunities for graphic designers. States such as California and New York typically have higher salary averages due to the concentration of tech and creative industries. Cities like San Francisco and New York City are notable for their competitive salaries, often exceeding the national average.
Conclusion
Understanding the salary landscape for graphic designers and illustrators is crucial for anyone considering a career in this field. By leveraging this information, you can make informed decisions about your career path, optimize your job search, and position yourself for success.
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Where can a Graphic Designer/Illustrator earn more?
Graphic designer/illustrator salaries by experience level
| Experience level | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|
| Entry-level graphic designer/illustrator | $28,200 | $13.56 |
| Mid-level graphic designer/illustrator | $39,500 | $19.00 |
| Senior-level graphic designer/illustrator | $61,600 | $29.63 |
Average graphic designer/illustrator salary by state
The highest-paying states for graphic designer/illustrators are California, New Jersey, and Virginia. The lowest average graphic designer/illustrator salary states are Iowa, Vermont, and Mississippi.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for graphic designer/illustrators
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | $53,398 | $25.67 |
| 2 | California | $51,306 | $24.67 |
| 3 | Virginia | $49,093 | $23.60 |
| 4 | Illinois | $47,716 | $22.94 |
| 5 | Pennsylvania | $48,131 | $23.14 |
| 6 | Massachusetts | $46,228 | $22.23 |
| 7 | Washington | $45,366 | $21.81 |
| 8 | Rhode Island | $45,568 | $21.91 |
| 9 | New York | $46,647 | $22.43 |
| 10 | New Jersey | $50,416 | $24.24 |
| 11 | Michigan | $43,053 | $20.70 |
| 12 | Maryland | $47,170 | $22.68 |
| 13 | Ohio | $41,340 | $19.88 |
| 14 | Arizona | $43,043 | $20.69 |
| 15 | Delaware | $45,770 | $22.00 |
| 16 | North Carolina | $40,870 | $19.65 |
| 17 | Oregon | $40,775 | $19.60 |
| 18 | West Virginia | $45,117 | $21.69 |
| 19 | Texas | $40,469 | $19.46 |
| 20 | Alaska | $47,610 | $22.89 |
| 21 | Wisconsin | $37,995 | $18.27 |
| 22 | Indiana | $40,922 | $19.67 |
| 23 | Utah | $36,583 | $17.59 |
| 24 | Nevada | $40,053 | $19.26 |
| 25 | Colorado | $39,318 | $18.90 |
| 26 | Connecticut | $38,983 | $18.74 |
| 27 | New Hampshire | $36,065 | $17.34 |
| 28 | North Dakota | $38,635 | $18.57 |
| 29 | Wyoming | $38,009 | $18.27 |
| 30 | Georgia | $35,396 | $17.02 |
| 31 | New Mexico | $36,044 | $17.33 |
| 32 | Kentucky | $36,477 | $17.54 |
| 33 | Arkansas | $36,668 | $17.63 |
| 34 | Tennessee | $36,222 | $17.41 |
| 35 | Missouri | $35,948 | $17.28 |
| 36 | Hawaii | $41,839 | $20.11 |
| 37 | Louisiana | $36,492 | $17.54 |
| 38 | Minnesota | $34,617 | $16.64 |
| 39 | Alabama | $34,946 | $16.80 |
| 40 | Florida | $35,765 | $17.19 |
| 41 | Nebraska | $34,657 | $16.66 |
| 42 | Oklahoma | $34,852 | $16.76 |
| 43 | Montana | $35,933 | $17.28 |
| 44 | Kansas | $33,526 | $16.12 |
| 45 | Maine | $32,710 | $15.73 |
| 46 | Iowa | $33,279 | $16.00 |
| 47 | Vermont | $33,069 | $15.90 |
| 48 | Idaho | $33,734 | $16.22 |
| 49 | South Carolina | $32,596 | $15.67 |
| 50 | Mississippi | $33,067 | $15.90 |
| 51 | South Dakota | $27,128 | $13.04 |
Highest paying cities for graphic designer/illustrators
The highest-paying cities for graphic designer/illustrators are Mountain View, CA, McLean, VA, and Chicago, IL.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mountain View, CA | $53,215 | $25.58 |
| 2 | McLean, VA | $50,999 | $24.52 |
| 3 | Chicago, IL | $47,976 | $23.07 |
| 4 | New York, NY | $47,322 | $22.75 |
| 5 | Hillsboro, OR | $40,555 | $19.50 |
| 6 | Houston, TX | $40,099 | $19.28 |
| 7 | Colorado Springs, CO | $39,516 | $19.00 |
| 8 | Tampa, FL | $36,060 | $17.34 |
| 9 | Atlanta, GA | $35,582 | $17.11 |
Graphic designer/illustrator salary details
A graphic designer/illustrator's salary ranges from $32,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $63,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is a graphic designer/illustrator's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $63,000 | $5,250 | $30 |
| 75th Percentile | $53,000 | $4,417 | $25 |
| Average | $45,124 | $3,760 | $22 |
| 25th Percentile | $37,000 | $3,083 | $18 |
| 10th Percentile | $32,000 | $2,667 | $15 |
Highest paying graphic designer/illustrator jobs
The highest paying types of graphic designer/illustrators are lead designer, visual designer, and lead graphic designer.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Production Artist | $61,870 | $5,156 | $29.75 | 59,103 |
| Web Designer | $63,842 | $5,320 | $30.69 | 50,899 |
| Visual Designer | $86,495 | $7,208 | $41.58 | 46,815 |
| Lead Designer | $110,001 | $9,167 | $52.89 | 45,423 |
| Freelance Designer | $57,260 | $4,772 | $27.53 | 45,914 |
| Graphic Artist | $54,900 | $4,575 | $26.39 | 8,752 |
Top companies hiring graphic designer/illustrators now:
Which companies pay graphic designer/illustrators the most?
Graphic designer/illustrator salaries at Google and Smartling are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average graphic designer/illustrator salary at companies like Vencore and Dril-Quip are highly competitive.
Wage gap by gender, race and education
Graphic Designer/Illustrator salary by industry
The average graphic designer/illustrator salary varies across industries:
- The average graphic designer/illustrator salary in the technology industry is $56,793, the highest of any industry.
- The average graphic designer/illustrator salary in the finance industry is $56,541.
- Graphic designer/illustrators in the hospitality industry earn an average salary of $39,228, the lowest of any industry.
Highest paying industries for graphic designer/illustrators
| Rank | Industry | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Technology | $56,793 | $27.30 |
| 2 | Insurance | $56,541 | $27.18 |
| 3 | Education | $51,116 | $24.57 |
| 4 | Professional | $46,391 | $22.30 |
| 5 | Manufacturing | $45,845 | $22.04 |
| 6 | Media | $45,380 | $21.82 |
| 7 | Retail | $40,066 | $19.26 |
| 8 | Hospitality | $39,228 | $18.86 |
High paying graphic designer/illustrator jobs
Graphic designer/illustrator salary trends
The average graphic designer/illustrator salary has risen by $7,921 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average graphic designer/illustrator earned $37,203 annually, but today, they earn $45,124 a year. That works out to a 12% change in pay for graphic designer/illustrators over the last decade.
Compare graphic designer/illustrator salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average graphic designer/illustrator salary over time
Compare graphic designer/illustrator salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
Graphic designer/illustrator salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $45,100 | $21.69 | +2.4% |
| 2025 | $44,100 | $21.18 | +3.3% |
| 2024 | $42,600 | $20.47 | +3.3% |
| 2023 | $41,200 | $19.79 | +2.2% |
| 2022 | $40,300 | $19.36 | +1.6% |
Recently added graphic designer/illustrator salaries
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oregon State University | College of Liberal Arts Social Media Illustrator/Graphic Designer | Corvallis, OR | 04/16/2025 | $30,679 |
| University of Wisconsin Madison | Graphic Designer/Illustrator | Madison, WI | 03/27/2025 | $60,000 |
| World Pakistan Pvt. Ltd. | Graphic Design/Technical Illustrator I | Broomfield, CO | 12/16/2024 | $64,697 |
| Bae Systems Plc | Graphic Designer/Technical Illustrator II | Broomfield, CO | 12/05/2024 | $64,130 |
| Remoote | Illustrator and Graphic Designer @ B2B Curriculum Team | Brazil, IN | 10/24/2024 | $24,000 |
| Charlie Hustle | Graphic Designer & Illustrator at Charlie Hustle | Kansas City, MO | 09/16/2024 | $60,210 |
| Bae Systems | Graphic Designer/Technical Illustrator II | Broomfield, CO | 09/11/2024 | $64,000 |
| Fit and Fun Playscapes LLC | Graphic Designer/Illustrator | Poughkeepsie, NY | 07/21/2024 | $41,740 |
| Fit and Fun Playscapes LLC | Graphic Designer/Illustrator | Poughkeepsie, NY | 07/21/2024 | $41,740 |
| Cornerstone Staffing Solutions | Graphic Design Setup-Adobe Illustrator Production | Charlotte, NC | 05/07/2024 | $41,740 |
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