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Entry Level Graphic Designer Salary in the United States

How much does an Entry Level Graphic Designer make in the United States?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for an Entry Level Graphic Designer in the United States is $59,801 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $29.

However, an Entry Level Graphic Designer's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $70,691
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $52,401 to $65,501
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $45,664
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View as table View as graph 25% $52,401 10% $45,664 90% $70,691 75% $65,501 $59,801 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Entry Level Graphic Designer Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $65,501 $5,458 $1,260 $31
Average $59,801 $4,983 $1,150 $29
25th Percentile $52,401 $4,367 $1,008 $25
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Key Factors That Influence Entry Level Graphic Designer Salaries

An Entry Level Graphic 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, and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Entry Level Graphic Designer Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Entry Level Graphic 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 Graphic Designer (0-2 years): $59,725
  • Design Services Specialist II (2-4 years): $69,978
  • Design Services Specialist III (4-7 years): $84,956
  • Design Services Specialist IV (7+ years): $104,915
  • Design Services Specialist V (7-10 years): $123,338
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Entry Level Graphic Designer0-2 years$59,725
Design Services Specialist II2-4 years$69,978
Design Services Specialist III4-7 years$84,956
Design Services Specialist IV7+ years$104,915
Design Services Specialist V7-10 years$123,338
$59,725 Entry Lev...
$69,978 Design Se...
$84,956 Design Se...
$104,915 Design Se...
$123,338 Design Se...
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What Am I Worth?

Top Paying Cities for Entry Level Graphic Designers

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: $75,401
  • San Francisco: $74,601
  • Oakland: $73,001

What Skills Can Increase an Entry Level Graphic Designer's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Presentation (Mentioned in 4.45% Job Postings): Presentation conveys information from a speaker to an audience. Presentations are typically demonstrations, introduction, lecture, or speech meant to inform, persuade, inspire, motivate, build goodwill, or present a new idea/product.
  • Typography (Mentioned in 2.77% Job Postings): Typography is the art and technique of arranging type to make written language legible, readable, and appealing when displayed. The arrangement of type involves selecting typefaces, point sizes, line lengths, line-spacing (leading), and letter-spacing (tracking), and adjusting the space between pairs of letters (kerning). The term typography is also applied to the style, arrangement, and appearance of the letters, numbers, and symbols created by the process. Type design is a closely related craft, sometimes considered part of typography; most typographers do not design typefaces, and some type designers do not consider themselves typographers. Typography also may be used as a decorative device, unrelated to communication of information. Typography is the work of typesetters (also known as compositors), typographers, graphic designers, art directors, manga artists, comic book artists, graffiti artists, and, now, anyone who arranges words, letters, numbers, and symbols for publication, display, or distribution, from clerical workers and newsletter writers to anyone self-publishing materials. Until the Digital Age, typography was a specialized occupation. Digitization opened up typography to new generations of previously unrelated designers and lay users. As the capability to create typography has become ubiquitous, the application of principles and best practices developed over generations of skilled workers and professionals has diminished. So at a time when scientific techniques can support the proven traditions (e.g., greater legibility with the use of serifs, upper and lower case, contrast, etc.) through understanding the limitations of human vision, typography as often encountered may fail to achieve its principal objective: effective communication.
  • Animation (Mentioned in 2.01% Job Postings): Animation is a method in which pictures are manipulated to appear as moving images. In traditional animation, images are drawn or painted by hand on transparent celluloid sheets to be photographed and exhibited on film. Today, most animations are made with computer-generated imagery (CGI). Computer animation can be very detailed 3D animation, while 2D computer animation can be used for stylistic reasons, low bandwidth or faster real-time renderings. Other common animation methods apply a stop motion technique to two and three-dimensional objects like paper cutouts, puppets or clay figures. Commonly the effect of animation is achieved by a rapid succession of sequential images that minimally differ from each other. The illusion—as in motion pictures in general—is thought to rely on the phi phenomenon and beta movement, but the exact causes are still uncertain. Analog mechanical animation media that rely on the rapid display of sequential images include the phénakisticope, zoetrope, flip book, praxinoscope and film. Television and video are popular electronic animation media that originally were analog and now operate digitally. For display on the computer, techniques like animated GIF and Flash animation were developed.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Presentation 4.45%
Typography 2.77%
Animation 2.01%
What skills can make your compensation higher?
Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on an Entry Level Graphic Designer's salary.
  • UI: Can increase your salary by up to 10%.
  • Collaboration: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
  • Storytelling: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
UI
$65,781
10%
Collaboration
$63,389
6%
Storytelling
$62,193
4%
Digital Marketing
$62,193
4%
Animation
$62,193
4%
Insight
$62,193
4%
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Entry Level Graphic Designer Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Entry Level Graphic Designer salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $66,944. While startup companies pay approximate $56,633.

Entry Level Graphic Designer Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup1~50$56,633
Growth Stage51~500$59,896
Established501~5000$64,646
Enterprise5000+$66,944

Entry Level Graphic Designer Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Entry Level Graphic Designer roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 40% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Aerospace & Defense and Business Services sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, Entry Level Graphic Designer positions in Biotechnology or Transportation typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Entry Level Graphic Designer as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industry for an Entry Level Graphic Designer

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Aerospace & Defense$71,761$35.020%

Entry Level Graphic Designer Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an Entry Level Graphic 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.

Last Updated on August 01, 2026

Entry Level Graphic Designer Salary Growth & Career Path

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As an Entry Level Graphic Designer, you have the following paths for advancement. The table below compares the salary raises for common next-step roles. By comparing these figures, you can choose the career path that best meets your financial goals.

Entry Level Graphic Designer Salary Growth and Career Path
Next Step Role Estimate Salary Projected Raise
Design Services Specialist II $70,000 17%
Package Art Designer II $74,400 24%

Salary Trends for Entry Level Graphic Designer

Salaries for an Entry Level Graphic Designer can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $57,992 in 2023 to around $57,323 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Entry Level Graphic Designer salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Entry Level Graphic Designer Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$57,992
2024
$57,777
2025
$57,323
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $57,992
2024 $57,777
2025 $57,323
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Entry Level Graphic Designer

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for Entry Level Graphic Designer

Here are companies hiring for Entry Level Graphic Designer and their salaries, click below for more details.

Find Your Next Entry Level Graphic Designer Job

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

United States
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    Columbus, OH

    Confidential | Columbus, OH

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  • Confidential

    Columbus, OH

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    23 Days Ago

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    Columbus, OH

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FAQ about Entry Level Graphic Designer

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Entry Level Graphic Designer?

The Aerospace & Defense industry offers the highest average compensation for Entry Level Graphic Designer roles, with salaries approximately 20% above the market median.

2. Why is graphic design pay so low?

Graphic design salaries can vary widely based on experience, location, and industry. For entry-level positions, the salary ranges from approximately $55,101 to $69,001, with a median around $61,301. Factors such as market demand, competition, and the perceived value of design work can contribute to lower pay in some areas, despite the skills required.

3. Can I make a 100k as graphic designer?

While reaching a six-figure salary as a graphic designer is challenging, it is achievable with the right combination of skills, experience, and a strong portfolio. Entry-level positions typically offer salaries ranging from $55,101 to $69,001, but those who specialize and excel can surpass $100,000 over time. Top designers in the field can achieve this level of income.

4. How long is a degree in graphic design?

A degree in graphic design typically takes four years to complete with a full-time commitment. However, some students may take five or more years to finish their studies. Entry-level graphic designers can expect salaries ranging from $55,101 to $69,001, with a median salary of $61,301, reflecting the investment in their education.

5. What is a beginner rate for graphic design?

The beginner rate for graphic design typically ranges from $55,101 to $69,001 annually. This translates to an hourly rate of approximately $26.45 to $33.17, depending on experience and location. As designers gain experience, salaries can increase significantly, reflecting their growing skills and expertise in the field.

6. Is graphic design in demand in USA?

Graphic design is indeed in demand in the USA, with approximately 270,900 graphic designers currently employed. The job market for graphic designers is projected to grow by 3.3% from 2022 to 2032. Entry-level graphic designers can expect salaries ranging from $55,101 to $69,001, with a median salary of $61,301, reflecting the profession's value and growth potential.

7. What is the lowest salary for a graphic designer?

The lowest salary for an Entry Level Graphic Designer is approximately $55,101 per year. This role typically requires minimal experience, and the average starting salary can vary based on location and company. In general, entry-level positions in this field offer a range from $55,101 to $69,001 annually.

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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