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Head graphic designer salary
Average head graphic designer salary
$74,651
Average Head Graphic Designer Salary
The average salary for a Head Graphic Designer in the United States is approximately $74,651 per year. Compensation can vary significantly based on factors such as geographic location, years of experience, and the specific industry. For instance, those with extensive experience often see higher salaries.
Salary by Experience Level
Entry-level positions may start at around $50,000, while seasoned professionals in senior roles can earn upwards of $90,000 annually. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for job seekers aiming to negotiate effectively.
Highest Paying States
States like California and New York typically offer higher salaries due to a higher cost of living and greater demand for creative talent. In contrast, regions with a lower cost of living may present lower salary averages.
Salary Insights by City
Major cities such as San Francisco and New York City rank among the highest paying locations for Head Graphic Designers, reflecting the competitive nature of these markets.
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Where can a Head Graphic Designer earn more?
Head graphic designer salaries by experience level
| Experience level | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|
| Entry-level head graphic designer | $46,600 | $22.43 |
| Mid-level head graphic designer | $65,400 | $31.44 |
| Senior-level head graphic designer | $102,000 | $49.01 |
Average head graphic designer salary by state
The highest-paying states for head graphic designers are Washington, Massachusetts, and Pennsylvania. The lowest average head graphic designer salary states are Kansas, Louisiana, and Mississippi.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for head graphic designers
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | $86,063 | $41.38 |
| 2 | Washington | $81,733 | $39.29 |
| 3 | Massachusetts | $77,737 | $37.37 |
| 4 | New York | $75,204 | $36.16 |
| 5 | Virginia | $74,826 | $35.97 |
| 6 | Pennsylvania | $76,080 | $36.58 |
| 7 | Rhode Island | $72,297 | $34.76 |
| 8 | Oregon | $72,708 | $34.96 |
| 9 | California | $74,135 | $35.64 |
| 10 | Connecticut | $70,754 | $34.02 |
| 11 | Maryland | $71,560 | $34.40 |
| 12 | Michigan | $65,678 | $31.58 |
| 13 | Illinois | $65,537 | $31.51 |
| 14 | New Hampshire | $63,214 | $30.39 |
| 15 | Wisconsin | $63,580 | $30.57 |
| 16 | West Virginia | $69,802 | $33.56 |
| 17 | Texas | $59,724 | $28.71 |
| 18 | New Jersey | $66,387 | $31.92 |
| 19 | Ohio | $60,417 | $29.05 |
| 20 | Delaware | $64,389 | $30.96 |
| 21 | North Carolina | $56,895 | $27.35 |
| 22 | Arizona | $60,127 | $28.91 |
| 23 | Nevada | $62,880 | $30.23 |
| 24 | Utah | $55,680 | $26.77 |
| 25 | Minnesota | $59,614 | $28.66 |
| 26 | Georgia | $55,243 | $26.56 |
| 27 | Florida | $56,919 | $27.36 |
| 28 | Indiana | $58,258 | $28.01 |
| 29 | Iowa | $54,567 | $26.23 |
| 30 | Idaho | $56,328 | $27.08 |
| 31 | Maine | $53,832 | $25.88 |
| 32 | Vermont | $58,306 | $28.03 |
| 33 | Missouri | $51,846 | $24.93 |
| 34 | Colorado | $51,174 | $24.60 |
| 35 | South Carolina | $52,231 | $25.11 |
| 36 | Tennessee | $49,260 | $23.68 |
| 37 | Montana | $51,264 | $24.65 |
| 38 | Kentucky | $51,115 | $24.57 |
| 39 | Hawaii | $58,927 | $28.33 |
| 40 | North Dakota | $53,358 | $25.65 |
| 41 | New Mexico | $48,938 | $23.53 |
| 42 | Alaska | $53,412 | $25.68 |
| 43 | Kansas | $45,180 | $21.72 |
| 44 | Wyoming | $49,492 | $23.79 |
| 45 | Nebraska | $46,567 | $22.39 |
| 46 | Arkansas | $46,652 | $22.43 |
| 47 | Louisiana | $44,764 | $21.52 |
| 48 | Oklahoma | $41,310 | $19.86 |
| 49 | Mississippi | $43,078 | $20.71 |
| 50 | Alabama | $40,159 | $19.31 |
| 51 | South Dakota | $38,472 | $18.50 |
Highest paying cities for head graphic designers
The highest-paying cities for head graphic designers are Washington, DC, New York, NY, and Los Angeles, CA.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washington, DC | $86,127 | $41.41 |
| 2 | New York, NY | $75,602 | $36.35 |
| 3 | Los Angeles, CA | $71,871 | $34.55 |
| 4 | Hackensack, NJ | $66,408 | $31.93 |
| 5 | Fort Lauderdale, FL | $55,822 | $26.84 |
| 6 | Lakewood, CO | $51,142 | $24.59 |
Head graphic designer salary details
A head graphic designer's salary ranges from $47,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $118,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is a head graphic designer's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $118,000 | $9,833 | $57 |
| 75th Percentile | $95,000 | $7,917 | $46 |
| Average | $74,651 | $6,221 | $36 |
| 25th Percentile | $58,000 | $4,833 | $28 |
| 10th Percentile | $47,000 | $3,917 | $23 |
Highest paying head graphic designer jobs
The highest paying types of head graphic designers are head designer, lead designer, and senior designer.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Graphic Artist | $54,900 | $4,575 | $26.39 | 8,752 |
| Designer | $66,347 | $5,529 | $31.90 | 52,433 |
| Visual Designer | $86,495 | $7,208 | $41.58 | 46,815 |
| Layout Designer | $94,509 | $7,876 | $45.44 | 43,997 |
| Web Designer | $63,842 | $5,320 | $30.69 | 50,899 |
| Freelance Designer | $57,260 | $4,772 | $27.53 | 45,914 |
Top companies hiring head graphic designers now:
Which companies pay head graphic designers the most?
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Reality Check Systems | $56,503 | $27.16 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
Head graphic designer salary trends
The average head graphic designer salary has risen by $13,104 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average head graphic designer earned $61,547 annually, but today, they earn $74,651 a year. That works out to a 12% change in pay for head graphic designers over the last decade.
Compare head graphic designer salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average head graphic designer salary over time
Compare head graphic designer salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
Head graphic designer salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $74,700 | $35.89 | +2.4% |
| 2024 | $72,900 | $35.04 | +3.3% |
| 2023 | $70,400 | $33.87 | +3.3% |
| 2022 | $68,100 | $32.74 | +2.2% |
| 2021 | $66,600 | $32.03 | +1.6% |
Recently added head graphic designer salaries
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Washington Post | Department Head, News Graphics | Washington, DC | 02/08/2025 | $191,100 |
| Rochester Institute of Technology | Magic Studio Project Head | Rochester, NY | 02/06/2025 | $61,984 |
| Keystaff, Inc. | Graphic Design Department Head | Boynton Beach, FL | 10/25/2024 | $85,000 |
| OTC Fleet Services | Head of Graphics Dept. | Lancaster, PA | 02/21/2024 | $52,175 |
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