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Graphic Artist III Salary in the United States

How much does a Graphic Artist III make in the United States?

As of January 01, 2026, the average salary for a Graphic Artist III in the United States is $84,970 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $41.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $101,323
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $78,020 to $93,530
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $71,692
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View as table View as graph 25% $78,020 10% $71,692 90% $101,323 75% $93,530 $84,970 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Graphic Artist III Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $93,530 $7,794 $1,799 $45
Average $84,970 $7,081 $1,634 $41
25th Percentile $78,020 $6,502 $1,500 $38
Check out Graphic Artist III Job Openings in the United States
Graphic Artist

TM3 Solutions, Inc. - BETHESDA, MD

Graphic Artist Majestic

HII Mission Technologies - FORT BELVOIR, VA

Graphic Artist

TM3 Solutions, Inc. - HON, HI

Graphic Artist

Softek Global Services LLC dba Strategic Growth Partners - DORAL, FL

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Key Factors That Influence Graphic Artist III Salaries

A Graphic Artist III'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 Artist III Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Graphic Artist III'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): $81,858
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $82,377
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $83,725
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $85,864
  • Expert (over 8 years): $88,803
Levels Salary
Entry Level Graphic Artist III$81,858
Intermediate Level Graphic Artist III$82,377
Senior Level Graphic Artist III$83,725
Specialist Level Graphic Artist III$85,864
Expert Level Graphic Artist III$88,803
$81,858 0 yr
$82,377 < 2 yrs
$83,725 2-4 yrs
$85,864 5-8 yrs
$88,803 > 8 yrs
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What Am I Worth?

How Do Graphic Artist III Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Graphic Artist IIIs. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $94,080.
  • California: $93,720.
  • Massachusetts: $92,470.

Top Paying Cities for Graphic Artist IIIs

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: $107,170
  • San Francisco: $106,120
  • Oakland: $103,760

What Skills Can Increase a Graphic Artist III's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Presentation (Mentioned in 4.5% 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 2.94% 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.
  • HTML (Mentioned in 1.82% Job Postings): A computer language that used in creating, updating and maintaining text, graphics and links in a website.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Presentation 4.5%
Typography 2.94%
HTML 1.82%
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 a Graphic Artist III's salary.
  • Insight: Can increase your salary by up to 7%.
  • Storytelling: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
  • UI: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Insight
$90,918
7%
Storytelling
$90,068
6%
UI
$90,068
6%
Leadership
$90,068
6%
Solution Design
$89,219
5%
Innovation
$89,219
5%
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How Education impacts a Graphic Artist III's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Graphic Artist IIIs enter the field with a Associate's Degree 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 Artist III with a Associate's Degree is between $81,466 and $86,418).

Graphic Artist III Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Graphic Artist III
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 0.6%
High School 8.1%
Associates 15.8%
Bachelors 67.9%
Masters 7.4%
Doctorate 0.1%
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Graphic Artist III Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Graphic Artist III'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 January 01, 2026

Graphic Artist III Salary Growth & Career Path

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As a Graphic Artist III, 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.

Graphic Artist III Salary Growth and Career Path
Next Step Role Estimate Salary Projected Raise
Design Services Specialist IV $105,000 24%
Package Art Designer IV $116,100 37%

Salary Trends for Graphic Artist III

Salaries for a Graphic Artist III can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $88,619 in 2023 to around $86,567 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Graphic Artist III salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Graphic Artist III Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$88,619
2024
$87,818
2025
$86,567
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $88,619
2024 $87,818
2025 $86,567
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Graphic Artist III

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for Graphic Artist III

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FAQ about Graphic Artist III

1. What is the highest paid design job?

The highest paid design job is often considered to be a Creative Director, with salaries typically ranging from $79,160 to $96,940. Other lucrative positions include User Experience (UX) Designer and Product Designer, with mid-range salaries around $87,800. These roles reflect the growing demand for skilled professionals in the design industry.

2. What is the job description of a designer III?

The Graphic Designer III independently plans, organizes, designs, and makes recommendations for the implementation, scheduling, and production control of various publications and graphic design projects for print, digital, and audio/visual. The salary range for this position is between $79,160 and $96,940, with a mid-salary of $87,800.

3. What is the difference between a Graphic Designer and a graphic artist?

Graphic designers focus on presenting words and images effectively, using problem-solving skills to engage viewers. In contrast, graphic artists prioritize conveying emotions over problem-solving. The salary for a graphic artist ranges from $79,160 to $96,940, with a median salary of $87,800, reflecting the value of their creative contributions in the industry.

4. How much a graphic designer earns in USA?

In the USA, Graphic Artists earn between $79,160 and $96,940 annually, with a median salary of $87,800. This reflects a more accurate range compared to previous reports, highlighting the growing demand and value of skilled graphic artists in the industry.

5. What is the salary of a 3D graphic designer?

The estimated salary for a Graphic Artist ranges from $79,160 to $96,940 annually, with a median salary of $87,800. This translates to approximately $6,596 to $8,078 per month, with an average monthly salary of about $7,317.

6. What is Level 3 graphic design?

Level 3 graphic design encompasses eight units that cover visual recording skills, material exploration, and various techniques. Students engage in practical projects, tackling design briefs in areas such as packaging, typography, magazines, cover design, and web design. Graphic artists in this field can expect salaries ranging from $79,160 to $96,940, with a median salary of $87,800.

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.

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