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2D/3D Designer Salary in the United States

How much does a 2D/3D Designer make in the United States? As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a 2D/3D Designer in the United States is $70,844 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $34.

However, a 2D/3D Designer's salary can vary significantly. Here's a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $83,147
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $65,842 to $77,284
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $61,287
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Check out 2D/3D Designer Job Openings in the United States

Key Factors That Influence 2D/3D Designer Salaries

A 2D/3D Designer's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects 2D/3D Designer Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a 2D/3D Designer's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $68,756
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $68,980
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $69,950
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $71,292
  • Expert (over 8 years): $71,470
Job RoleYears of ExperienceAverage Salary
Entry Level 2D/3D Designer less than 1 year $68,756
Early Career Level 2D/3D Designer 1-2 years $68,980
Mid-Level Level 2D/3D Designer 2-4 years $69,950
Senior-Level Level 2D/3D Designer 5-8 years $71,292
Expert Level 2D/3D Designer over 8 years $71,470

How Do 2D/3D Designer Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract 2D/3D Designers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $78,439.
  • California: $78,141.
  • Massachusetts: $77,100.

Top Paying Cities for 2D/3D Designer

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $89,356
  • San Francisco: $88,378
  • Oakland: $86,515

2D/3D Designer Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For 2D/3D Designer roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 32% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Aerospace & Defense and Biotechnology sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, 2D/3D Designer positions in Retail & Wholesale or Pharmaceuticals typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view 2D/3D Designer as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a 2D/3D Designer

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Aerospace & Defense $85,013 $41.0 20%
Biotechnology $81,471 $39.0 15%
Chemicals $79,346 $38.0 12%
Energy & Utilities $77,929 $37.0 10%
Financial Services $76,512 $37.0 8%

How Education impacts a 2D/3D Designer's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many 2D/3D Designer professionals enter the field with a high school degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a 2D/3D Designer with a high school is between $64,565 and $68,750.

2D/3D Designer Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for 2D/3D Designer
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Degree 0.9%
High School 12.3%
Associate's Degree 20.7%
Bachelor's Degree 59.4%
Master's Degree or MBA 6.5%
JD, MD, PhD or Equivalent 0.2%
View as Graph

2D/3D Designer Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a 2D/3D Designer's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

  • Hourly
  • Monthly
  • Weekly
  • Yearly
  • Table View
Last Updated on August 01, 2026
$65,842
Average $70,844/year
$77,284
$5,487
Average $5,904/month
$6,440
$1,266
Average $1,362/week
$1,486
$32
Average $34/hour
$37
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $77,284 $6,440 $1,486 $37
Average $70,844 $5,904 $1,362 $34
25th Percentile $65,842 $5,487 $1,266 $32

Most common benefits for 2D/3D Designer

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for 2D/3D Designer

Here are companies hiring for 2D/3D Designer and their salaries, click below for more details.

Find Your Next 2D/3D Designer Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current 2D/3D Designer job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

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    Interior Designer

    Pat Scales Remodeling | Columbus, OH

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    Manufacturing Designer

    Connect Housing Blocks | Columbus, OH

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    Sales Designer

    Cabinet IQ of Columbus | Columbus, OH

    Job Description. Job Description. Benefits. Paid time off. Bonus based on performance. Company parties. Competitive salary. Free food & snacks. Profit shar... more

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    Instructional Designer

    Randstad Usa | Columbus, OH

    A leading staffing company is seeking an Instructional Designer to create and evaluate educational courses.The ideal candidate will have a Bachelor's degre... more

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  • Crimson Design Group | Columbus, OH

    Senior Interior Designer

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    Job Description. Job Description. Job Title.       . Senior Designer                                    . Location.   Columbus, OH . Reports to.   . Design... more

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FAQ about 2D/3D Designer

1. What industry pays the highest salary for 2D/3D Designer?

The Aerospace & Defense industry offers the highest average compensation for 2D/3D Designer roles, with salaries approximately 20% above the market median.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

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