Graphic Design Salaries & Salary Outlook

Find Graphic Design Schools Near You

Find the right school right now.

Want to share your unique artistic talents with the rest of the world? Earn a graphic design degree and land yourself a great career in this creative industry. Find out more about what it takes to earn the top salaries in this field.

Industries such as entertainment and advertising rely upon artistically gifted individuals for visual solutions, and new computer technology has made art more marketable than ever before. If you have the talent, communication skills, and persistence to turn your artistic creativity into a rewarding career, you may want to consider pursuing a graphic design degree.

Employing techniques and skills learned in their degree programs, graphic designers attempt to communicate a message as effectively as possible. They meet with clients and perform independent research in order to assess the cognitive, cultural, physical, and social needs of their audience. They must maintain an up-to-date knowledge of both changing trends and specialized computer software. Designers develop the overall layout of a number of print publications, such as magazines and newspapers; design logos, brochures, and signs; and create material for the Internet as well as interactive media and multimedia projects.

Graphic Design Degrees: Learnin’ Hard for the Money

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that a bachelor’s degree is required for most entry level positions in graphic design. Students pursuing graphic design degrees receive training in both the liberal arts (art history, writing, psychology, sociology, cultural studies and business) and fine arts/graphic design, which includes courses such as computerized design, commercial graphics production, printing techniques, and web design. Individuals hoping to pursue a career in graphic design who already hold a degree in another field can complete 2- or 3-year programs designed to get them up to speed with the industry.

Designing for Dollars: Graphic Design Salaries

Employment is expected to grow steadily, favoring graphic designers with Web design and animation experience–something to keep in mind when completing a graphic design degree. Earnings for graphic designers depends heavily on their experience and type of employment; a full 25 percent are self-employed, and many complete freelance assignments to familiarize themselves with the industry and supplement their incomes until they are able to find full-time design work.

According to the May 2008 BLS findings, graphic designers earn a mean annual wage of $46,750, with those in the 90th percentile of earnings making $74,660 and those in the 10th percentile earning $26,110. A nice mix of public and private sector, top paying industries for the profession include the federal government, the motion picture industry, and aerospace manufacturing. Industries with the highest levels of employment include specialized design services, print media, and advertising/public relations.

2008 BLS findings also report that Washington, D.C, California, and New York are the top three highest-paying states for the graphic design industry, employing designers whose annual mean wages are $66,560, $55,670, and $54,920, respectively. The BLS ranked San Francisco, CA as the highest-paying metropolitan area in America for this occupation; a graphic designer working there earns a mean annual wage of $73,140.

Karin Hansen
Karin Hansen holds a BA in English from San Francisco State University and currently works two part-time jobs. In her spare time, Karin enjoys traveling, trail running, and reading.

Find Graphic Design Schools Near You

Find the right school today.