Explore national salary, projected growth, education requirements, and career opportunities across the United States.
A concise view of this occupation’s national scale, compensation, and projected demand.
National median annual wage for this occupation.
Estimated jobs currently supported nationwide.
Projected employment change through 2034.
Estimated openings created each year.
The typical education, prior experience, and on-the-job training associated with entry into this career.
Bachelor's degree
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These are the highest-rated capabilities associated with success in this occupation. Scores are derived from occupational skill analysis and are measured on a 100-point scale.
Based on skills, knowledge, and work activities, these occupations are the closest match to your current career.
Explore the states and metropolitan areas offering the strongest combination of salary, employment, demand, and long-term opportunity.
Discover metro markets where compensation, hiring demand, and long-term momentum align.
Understand the salary, outlook, education, and geographic opportunities shaping this career.
Graphic designers work in a field that combines visual creativity with practical communication skills. Nationally, there are about 266,000 jobs in this occupation, indicating a substantial workforce. The projected employment growth of 2.1% suggests that opportunities are expected to continue, although at a modest pace. With an estimated 20,000 annual openings, individuals entering or advancing in this career can expect a steady flow of positions becoming available due to new jobs and turnover. A national median annual salary of $61,300 places this role in a solid earning range for many communities. The typical education level is a bachelor’s degree, reflecting the need for formal training in design concepts and related skills. Successful graphic designers tend to combine creativity and innovation with strong communication, technology, and project management abilities, positioning this career as a good option for people who enjoy both artistic work and structured problem-solving.
Graphic designers earn a national median annual salary of $61,300, providing a baseline for evaluating earning potential across locations. Pay varies significantly by state and metro area. Among the highlighted states, New York reports a median salary of $77,340, Massachusetts $76,710, and California $75,130, all notably higher than the national median. Colorado at $66,330 and Washington at $72,710 also exceed the national median. Differences are even more pronounced in certain metro areas. San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA stands out with a median salary of $97,360, followed by San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA at $92,050 and Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV at $85,420. The New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ metro reports $79,280, while Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH reports $78,270. These figures show that location choices can meaningfully influence earning potential within this career.
Graphic designers have a national employment base of about 266,000 workers, indicating an established profession with a wide range of positions. Projected employment growth of 2.1% suggests that the total number of jobs is expected to increase, though not dramatically. With approximately 20,000 annual openings, there is a consistent flow of opportunities, which can benefit new graduates, career changers, and experienced professionals seeking new roles. The same 2.1% growth rate appears in several featured states and metro areas, indicating a generally consistent projected trend in those highlighted regions. For someone planning a career in graphic design, these figures point to a stable occupation with ongoing hiring needs, where competition for roles may vary by location and specific employer. While the data does not indicate rapid expansion, it does show a career path with continuing demand and a measurable level of job movement over time.
Location plays a major role in opportunity and compensation for graphic designers. Among the top states, California has the highest employment level at 27,390, with a median salary of $75,130 and an opportunity score of 67.38. New York employs 14,530 graphic designers with a median salary of $77,340 and an opportunity score of 65.78. Massachusetts has 4,450 employed and a median salary of $76,710, with an opportunity score of 65.87. Colorado and Washington show smaller employment counts—4,200 and 3,960 respectively—but still offer median salaries above the national median and opportunity scores in the mid-50s. At the metro level, San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA stands out with a median salary of $97,360 and the highest opportunity score, 77.42, despite a relatively small employment base of 1,280. The New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ metro combines a large employment base of 15,160 with a high opportunity score of 77.27, while San Francisco, Washington DC area, and Boston also provide strong combinations of pay and opportunity scores.
For graphic designers, the typical education level is a bachelor’s degree, which aligns with the occupation’s need for both creative and technical capabilities. Formal education can help build a foundation in creativity and innovation, along with the use of computers and information technology that support modern design work. The role also draws heavily on adaptability and project management, reflecting the importance of organizing tasks and working within deadlines. Communication skills are central: speaking and listening, writing and reading, and interpersonal abilities all support collaboration with clients and colleagues. Critical and analytical thinking helps designers evaluate options and refine their work, while leadership skills can be important for those who guide projects or teams. Customer service skills are also highlighted, indicating that understanding and responding to client needs is a key part of success in this field. Together, these skills and the bachelor’s-level education form the core preparation pathway for this career.
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