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Publications designer salary
Average publications designer salary
$56,121
Average Publications Designer Salary
The average salary for a Publications Designer is $56,121 annually, with variations based on several factors. Entry-level positions may start lower, while experienced designers can earn significantly more. The salary can be influenced by the region, as certain states offer higher pay rates. For instance, states like California and New York often have higher average salaries due to the cost of living and demand for skilled professionals.
Salary by Experience Level
As a Publications Designer gains experience, their earning potential typically increases. For example, designers with 1–3 years of experience earn around $50,000, while those with over 10 years can command salaries upwards of $70,000. Continuous professional development and specialization in areas like digital design can further enhance income opportunities.
Where to Find High-Paying Positions
- Major metropolitan areas tend to have a higher concentration of job openings and competitive salaries.
- Industries such as publishing, advertising, and digital media often offer the best compensation packages.
- Networking within these fields can lead to better job prospects and salary negotiations.
Consider exploring job boards and company websites to find openings that align with your skills and desired salary range.
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Where can a Publications Designer earn more?
Publications designer salaries by experience level
| Experience level | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|
| Entry-level publications designer | $35,100 | $16.86 |
| Mid-level publications designer | $49,200 | $23.63 |
| Senior-level publications designer | $76,600 | $36.85 |
Publications designer salary estimates from across the web
Average publications designer salary by state
The average publications designer salary in Virginia, Maryland, and California are the highest in the U.S. The lowest average publications designer salary states are Nebraska, Mississippi, and Kansas.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for publications designers
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | $87,481 | $42.06 |
| 2 | Virginia | $82,012 | $39.43 |
| 3 | Washington | $73,057 | $35.12 |
| 4 | Massachusetts | $74,053 | $35.60 |
| 5 | Maryland | $81,891 | $39.37 |
| 6 | California | $76,889 | $36.97 |
| 7 | New York | $71,952 | $34.59 |
| 8 | Pennsylvania | $70,563 | $33.92 |
| 9 | Rhode Island | $68,936 | $33.14 |
| 10 | New Jersey | $70,005 | $33.66 |
| 11 | Illinois | $64,120 | $30.83 |
| 12 | Arizona | $65,800 | $31.63 |
| 13 | Connecticut | $66,732 | $32.08 |
| 14 | Nevada | $66,322 | $31.89 |
| 15 | Wisconsin | $58,907 | $28.32 |
| 16 | Oregon | $59,770 | $28.74 |
| 17 | Michigan | $58,085 | $27.93 |
| 18 | New Hampshire | $60,464 | $29.07 |
| 19 | Georgia | $59,070 | $28.40 |
| 20 | Utah | $58,171 | $27.97 |
| 21 | West Virginia | $66,011 | $31.74 |
| 22 | Florida | $62,580 | $30.09 |
| 23 | Colorado | $58,984 | $28.36 |
| 24 | Ohio | $56,060 | $26.95 |
| 25 | North Carolina | $56,216 | $27.03 |
| 26 | Delaware | $61,115 | $29.38 |
| 27 | Minnesota | $55,846 | $26.85 |
| 28 | Texas | $53,476 | $25.71 |
| 29 | Iowa | $54,278 | $26.10 |
| 30 | New Mexico | $56,147 | $26.99 |
| 31 | Idaho | $56,557 | $27.19 |
| 32 | Vermont | $55,854 | $26.85 |
| 33 | Indiana | $54,920 | $26.40 |
| 34 | Missouri | $53,581 | $25.76 |
| 35 | South Carolina | $53,364 | $25.66 |
| 36 | Wyoming | $54,220 | $26.07 |
| 37 | Maine | $51,718 | $24.86 |
| 38 | Tennessee | $51,158 | $24.60 |
| 39 | Montana | $52,665 | $25.32 |
| 40 | Arkansas | $51,404 | $24.71 |
| 41 | Alaska | $54,686 | $26.29 |
| 42 | Kansas | $48,585 | $23.36 |
| 43 | North Dakota | $50,439 | $24.25 |
| 44 | Louisiana | $51,820 | $24.91 |
| 45 | Nebraska | $49,451 | $23.77 |
| 46 | Kentucky | $49,492 | $23.79 |
| 47 | Oklahoma | $46,137 | $22.18 |
| 48 | Hawaii | $51,651 | $24.83 |
| 49 | Mississippi | $48,706 | $23.42 |
| 50 | Alabama | $44,343 | $21.32 |
| 51 | South Dakota | $39,607 | $19.04 |
Highest paying cities for publications designers
The highest-paying cities for publications designers are San Francisco, CA, Los Angeles, CA, and Pittsburgh, PA.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Francisco, CA | $82,459 | $39.64 |
| 2 | Los Angeles, CA | $75,619 | $36.36 |
| 3 | Pittsburgh, PA | $67,531 | $32.47 |
| 4 | Miami, FL | $64,086 | $30.81 |
| 5 | Jacksonville, FL | $59,923 | $28.81 |
| 6 | Atlanta, GA | $58,789 | $28.26 |
| 7 | Robbinsdale, MN | $55,817 | $26.84 |
| 8 | Corpus Christi, TX | $53,935 | $25.93 |
Publications designer salary details
A publications designer's salary ranges from $38,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $82,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is a publications designer's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $82,000 | $6,833 | $39 |
| 75th Percentile | $68,000 | $5,667 | $33 |
| Average | $56,121 | $4,677 | $27 |
| 25th Percentile | $45,000 | $3,750 | $22 |
| 10th Percentile | $38,000 | $3,167 | $18 |
Highest paying publications designer jobs
The highest paying types of publications designers are head designer, lead designer, and senior designer.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Graphic Designer, Marketing | $48,763 | $4,064 | $23.44 | 115,113 |
| Graphic Designer Internship | $35,800 | $2,983 | $17.21 | 93,292 |
| Graphic Designer/Production | $48,619 | $4,052 | $23.37 | 95,831 |
| Lead Graphic Designer | $76,009 | $6,334 | $36.54 | 46,260 |
| Designer | $66,347 | $5,529 | $31.90 | 52,433 |
| Freelance Designer | $57,260 | $4,772 | $27.53 | 45,914 |
Top companies hiring publications designers now:
Which companies pay publications designers the most?
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rowland Publishing | $51,193 | $24.61 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
Publications Designer salary by industry
The average publications designer salary varies across industries:
- The average publications designer salary in the retail industry is $79,707, the highest of any industry.
- The average publications designer salary in the finance industry is $73,059.
- Publications designers in the finance industry earn an average salary of $64,350, the lowest of any industry.
Highest paying industries for publications designers
| Rank | Industry | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Retail | $79,707 | $38.32 |
| 2 | Hospitality | $73,059 | $35.12 |
| 3 | Media | $72,030 | $34.63 |
| 4 | Professional | $71,680 | $34.46 |
| 5 | Construction | $67,970 | $32.68 |
| 6 | Education | $66,206 | $31.83 |
| 7 | Finance | $64,350 | $30.94 |
High paying publications designer jobs
Publications designer salary trends
The average publications designer salary has risen by $9,851 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average publications designer earned $46,270 annually, but today, they earn $56,121 a year. That works out to a 12% change in pay for publications designers over the last decade.
Compare publications designer salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average publications designer salary over time
Compare publications designer salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
Publications designer salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $56,100 | $26.98 | +2.4% |
| 2024 | $54,800 | $26.34 | +3.3% |
| 2023 | $53,000 | $25.46 | +3.3% |
| 2022 | $51,200 | $24.62 | +2.2% |
| 2021 | $50,100 | $24.08 | +1.6% |
Recently added publications designer salaries
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| City of New York | Public Realm Designer | New York, NY | 06/04/2025 | $84,018 |
| New York City, Ny | Public Realm Designer | New York, NY | 05/29/2025 | $84,018 |
| Iste+Ascd | Publications Designer | Arlington, VA | 03/15/2025 | $70,000 |
| NAA | Publication Designer | Arlington, TX | 09/15/2024 | $80,000 |
| National Apartment Association | Publication Designer | Arlington, TX | 09/03/2024 | $80,000 |
| National Apartment Association | Publication Designer | Arlington, VA | 09/02/2024 | $80,000 |
| City University of New York | Communications Publications Design Specl | New York, NY | 05/04/2024 | $52,267 |
| City University of New York | Communications Publications Design Specl | New York, NY | 05/04/2024 | $52,267 |
| Rowland Publishing, Inc. | Senior Publication Designer & Art Lead | Jacksonville, FL | 03/19/2024 | $50,563 |
| Rowland Publishing, Inc. | Senior Publication Designer & Art Lead | Jacksonville, FL | 03/19/2024 | $50,563 |
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