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Graphic Designer Salary by State (2026): Complete Table + FAQs
Graphic designers create the visuals brands run on, with pay that depends heavily on state and industry. This state-by-state table from the latest official U.S. BLS OEWS release shows hourly, monthly and yearly wages.
Source: U.S. BLS OEWS (latest release) · Last verified: 2026-10-08 · Methodology
Graphic Designer pay by state at a glance
| State | Hourly | Monthly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $45.49 | $7,886 | $94,630 |
| California | $41.73 | $7,233 | $86,800 |
| Oregon | $40.93 | $7,095 | $85,140 |
| New York | $39.62 | $6,868 | $82,410 |
| Massachusetts | $38.31 | $6,641 | $79,690 |
| New Jersey | $38.19 | $6,619 | $79,430 |
| Rhode Island | $37.93 | $6,575 | $78,900 |
| Washington | $37.46 | $6,493 | $77,910 |
| Maryland | $37.39 | $6,481 | $77,770 |
| Virginia | $36.86 | $6,389 | $76,670 |
| Connecticut | $36.26 | $6,285 | $75,420 |
| Colorado | $35.80 | $6,205 | $74,460 |
| Vermont | $34.82 | $6,035 | $72,420 |
| Minnesota | $32.83 | $5,690 | $68,280 |
| Florida | $32.73 | $5,673 | $68,070 |
| Utah | $32.50 | $5,633 | $67,600 |
| New Hampshire | $32.33 | $5,603 | $67,240 |
| Alaska | $32.28 | $5,595 | $67,140 |
| Illinois | $32.20 | $5,582 | $66,980 |
| Pennsylvania | $32.03 | $5,552 | $66,620 |
| Ohio | $31.31 | $5,428 | $65,130 |
| Nevada | $31.11 | $5,392 | $64,700 |
| Delaware | $30.97 | $5,368 | $64,420 |
| Georgia | $30.88 | $5,353 | $64,240 |
| Arizona | $30.56 | $5,298 | $63,570 |
| North Carolina | $30.41 | $5,271 | $63,250 |
| Tennessee | $30.13 | $5,223 | $62,670 |
| Texas | $30.08 | $5,214 | $62,570 |
| Wisconsin | $30.01 | $5,201 | $62,410 |
| Indiana | $29.81 | $5,166 | $61,990 |
| Hawaii | $29.75 | $5,156 | $61,870 |
| Maine | $29.70 | $5,148 | $61,780 |
| Montana | $29.65 | $5,139 | $61,670 |
| South Carolina | $29.14 | $5,051 | $60,610 |
| Michigan | $28.97 | $5,021 | $60,250 |
| Missouri | $28.69 | $4,972 | $59,660 |
| Nebraska | $27.88 | $4,833 | $58,000 |
| New Mexico | $27.82 | $4,823 | $57,870 |
| Kansas | $27.81 | $4,821 | $57,850 |
| Alabama | $27.41 | $4,751 | $57,010 |
| North Dakota | $27.00 | $4,680 | $56,160 |
| Kentucky | $26.95 | $4,671 | $56,050 |
| Idaho | $26.82 | $4,648 | $55,780 |
| Oklahoma | $26.72 | $4,631 | $55,570 |
| Louisiana | $26.37 | $4,571 | $54,850 |
| Iowa | $26.36 | $4,568 | $54,820 |
| Arkansas | $25.32 | $4,389 | $52,670 |
| Mississippi | $25.14 | $4,357 | $52,280 |
| Wyoming | $24.57 | $4,259 | $51,110 |
| South Dakota | $24.46 | $4,240 | $50,880 |
| West Virginia | $21.92 | $3,800 | $45,600 |
The states that pay the most
Based on the data above, the top-paying states for this occupation are District of Columbia, California, Oregon, New York, Massachusetts. Always compare pay against cost of living — a lower dollar wage in a cheaper state can win.
- District of Columbia — $94,630 a year
- California — $86,800 a year
- Oregon — $85,140 a year
- New York — $82,410 a year
- Massachusetts — $79,690 a year
Frequently asked questions
Which state pays graphic designers the most?
The table above ranks every published state and District of Columbia currently leads. Agencies and in-house product companies pay differently.
What is the average graphic designer salary?
The U.S. mean graphic designer wage is about $70,560 a year (about $33.92 per hour) in the latest BLS OEWS release, with a median near $62,960.
Should I freelance or work in-house?
In-house roles show up in this table; freelance income is harder to compare. Treat the table as your in-house benchmark.
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