Graphic Design Artist Salary in the United States

How much does a Graphic Design Artist make in the United States? As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Graphic Design Artist in the United States is $88,643 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $43.

However, a Graphic Design Artist's salary can vary significantly. Here's a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $106,574
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $81,498 to $98,029
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $74,992

Key Factors That Influence Graphic Design Artist Salaries

A Graphic Design Artist'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 Graphic Design Artist Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Graphic Design Artist'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): $60,942
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $71,406
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $86,688
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $107,050
  • Expert (over 8 years): $125,856
Job RoleYears of ExperienceAverage Salary
Graphic Design Specialist I less than 1 year $60,942
Graphic Design Specialist II 1-2 years $71,406
Graphic Design Artist 2-4 years $86,688
Graphic Design Specialist IV 5-8 years $107,050
Graphic Design Specialist V over 8 years $125,856

Top Paying Cities for Graphic Design Artist

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: $111,806
  • San Francisco: $110,582
  • Oakland: $108,251

Graphic Design Artist Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Graphic Design Artist roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 60% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Software & Networking and Financial Services sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 30% above the average. In contrast, Graphic Design Artist positions in Telecom or Hospitality & Leisure typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Graphic Design Artist as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Graphic Design Artist

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Software & Networking $115,236 $55.0 30%
Financial Services $106,372 $51.0 20%
Healthcare $101,940 $49.0 15%
Biotechnology $99,281 $48.0 12%
Insurance $95,735 $46.0 8%

How Education impacts a Graphic Design Artist's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Graphic Design Artist professionals enter the field with a Associate's 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 Graphic Design Artist with a Associate's is between $83,303 and $88,091.

Graphic Design Artist Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Graphic Design Artist
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Degree 0.6%
High School 8.1%
Associate's Degree 15.8%
Bachelor's Degree 67.9%
Master's Degree or MBA 7.4%
JD, MD, PhD or Equivalent 0.1%

Graphic Design Artist Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Graphic Design Artist'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 September 01, 2026
$81,498
Average $88,643/year
$98,029
$6,791
Average $7,387/month
$8,169
$1,567
Average $1,705/week
$1,885
$39
Average $43/hour
$47
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $98,029 $8,169 $1,885 $47
Average $88,643 $7,387 $1,705 $43
25th Percentile $81,498 $6,791 $1,567 $39

Most common benefits for Graphic Design Artist

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

Common company salaries for Graphic Design Artist

Here are companies hiring for Graphic Design Artist and their salaries, click below for more details.

Find Your Next Graphic Design Artist Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Graphic Design Artist job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

  • MyJobsCorner | Columbus, OH

    MyJobsCorner | Columbus, OH

    Find your next job here. Will train the right candidate. Average salaries from $12 - $22/Hr, full time and part time shifts available now. Hiring for: Chip... more

    7 Days Ago

  • Accenture | Columbus, OH

    Accenture | Columbus, OH

    Who we are. Accenture helps the world's leading enterprises reinvent by building their digital core and unleashing the power of AI to create value at speed... more

    9 Days Ago

  • Suitsupply | Columbus, OH

    Suitsupply | Columbus, OH

    As a Sales Supervisor, you are an independent professional, with a high level of responsibility and identifying and solving problems is something that come... more

    9 Days Ago

  • Actalent | Columbus, OH

    Actalent | Columbus, OH

    Group Manager, Substation Engineering 100% Remote | Lead High-Impact Grid Modernization Projects | Build and Mentor Elite Engineering Teams Ready to Lead t... more

    9 Days Ago

  • MyJobsCorner | Columbus, OH

    MyJobsCorner | Columbus, OH

    Find your next job here. Will train the right candidate. Average salaries from $20 - $37/Hr, full time and part time shifts available now. Hiring for: Anim... more

    18 Days Ago

  • C.R. England | Columbus, OH

    C.R. England | Columbus, OH

    Job Description. C.R. England is Now Urgently Hiring Local Dedicated CDL-A Truck Drivers. \n. Dedicated Local Fleet - Home Daily - Competitive Pay* - Full ... more

    20 Days Ago

For Employees

Analyze the market and your qualifications to negotiate your salary with confidence.

Get a Salary Increase

Search thousands of open positions to find your next opportunity.

Search Job Openings

For Employers

Individualize employee pay based on unique job requirements and personal qualifications.

Adjust Employee Salary

Get the latest market price for benchmark jobs and jobs in your industry.

Price My Industry Jobs

FAQ about Graphic Design Artist

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Graphic Design Artist?

The Software & Networking industry offers the highest average compensation for Graphic Design Artist roles, with salaries approximately 30% 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.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

Are you an HR manager or compensation specialist?

Salary.com's CompAnalyst platform offers:

  • Detailed skills and competency reports for specific positions
  • Job and employee pricing reports
  • Compensation data tools, salary structures, surveys and benchmarks.
Learn about CompAnalyst