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Hourly Wage for Graphic Designer I Salary in the United States

What is the hourly salary range of Graphic Designer I?

As of August 01, 2026, the average hourly rate for a Graphic Designer I in the United States is $29, which translates to an annual salary of about $59,715.

However, the hourly wage can vary significantly based on several factors. Here’s a detailed look at the typical pay range per hour:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $34 per hour
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $25 to $31 per hour
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $22 per hour
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View as table View as graph 25% $25 10% $22 90% $34 75% $31 $29 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Graphic Designer I Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $65,487 $5,457 $1,259 $31
Average $59,715 $4,976 $1,148 $29
25th Percentile $52,308 $4,359 $1,006 $25
Check out Graphic Designer I Job Openings in the United States
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Key Factors That Influence Graphic Designer I Salaries

A Graphic Designer I'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 Graphic Designer Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Graphic Designer I'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:

  • Graphic Designer I (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
Graphic Designer I0-2 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 Graphic D...
$69,978 Design Se...
$84,956 Design Se...
$104,915 Design Se...
$123,338 Design Se...
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What Am I Worth?

How Do Graphic Designer I 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 Designer Is. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $66,118.
  • California: $65,867.
  • Massachusetts: $64,989.

Top Paying Cities for Graphic Designer Is

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: $75,322
  • San Francisco: $74,497
  • Oakland: $72,927

What Skills Can Increase a Graphic Designer I'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 a Graphic Designer I'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
$65,687
10%
Collaboration
$63,298
6%
Storytelling
$62,104
4%
Digital Marketing
$62,104
4%
Animation
$62,104
4%
Insight
$62,104
4%
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Graphic Designer I Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Graphic Designer I salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $66,847. While startup companies pay approximate $56,551.

Graphic Designer I Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup1~50$56,551
Growth Stage51~500$59,810
Established501~5000$64,553
Enterprise5000+$66,847

Graphic Designer I Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Graphic Designer I 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, Graphic Designer positions in Biotechnology or Transportation typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Graphic Designer I as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industry for a Graphic Designer I

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Aerospace & Defense$71,658$34.020%

Graphic Designer I Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Graphic Designer I'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

Salary Trends for Graphic Designer I

Salaries for a Graphic Designer I 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 Graphic Designer I salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Graphic Designer I 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 Graphic Designer I

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

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

Find Your Next Graphic Designer I Job

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

United States
  • MD Staff, LLC

    Columbus, OH

    MD Staff, LLC | Columbus, OH

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    5 Days Ago

  • Continuum Medical Staffing

    Columbus, OH

    Continuum Medical Staffing | Columbus, OH

    PSYCHIATRIST- CHILD/ADOLESCENT COLUMBUS OHIO We are seeking a Board-Certified Child/ Adolescent Psychiatrist for a permanent position in Columbus Ohio No V... more

    6 Days Ago

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    Columbus, OH

    MD Staff, LLC | Columbus, OH

    Neurologist Locum Tenens Opportunity Near Columbus, OH. We are excited to offer a rewarding locum tenens opportunity for a Board Certified or Board Eligibl... more

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  • C.R. England

    Columbus, OH

    C.R. England | Columbus, OH

    Job Description. C.R. England is Now Urgently Hiring Local Dedicated CDL-A Truck Drivers. \n. Dedicated Local Fleet - Home Daily - Competitive Pay* - Full ... more

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  • Confidential

    Columbus, OH

    Confidential | Columbus, OH

    Vice President, Credit Risk Strategy & Data Science. About the Company. High-growth SMB lender building the next generation of credit decisioning. Industry... more

    18 Days Ago

  • KreilKamp Trucking

    Columbus, OH

    KreilKamp Trucking | Columbus, OH

    Regional CDL A Drivers | NEW Grads Welcome | Earn $70,000+ Annually. We're proud to be a 4th generation family truck line, started in 1935, but even proude... more

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FAQ about Graphic Designer I

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

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

2. Is graphic design a good career in USA?

Graphic design can be a rewarding career in the USA, with salaries ranging from approximately $55,089 to $68,980. As a junior Graphic Designer, you can expect to earn around $61,288 on average. This field allows you to collaborate in teams and create impactful work, making it a promising choice for those passionate about design.

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

While the average salary for graphic designers ranges from $55,089 to $68,980, reaching a $100,000 salary is rare. However, those with exceptional skills and extensive experience may achieve this level of income over time. It typically requires dedication, a strong portfolio, and possibly specialization in high-demand areas.

4. Is it too late to learn graphic design?

It's never too late to learn graphic design. Many designers have started later in life and made significant impacts in the field. With dedication and a passion for design, you can succeed. Additionally, graphic designers earn between $55,089 and $68,980, with a median salary of $61,288, making it a viable career choice at any age.

5. What state pays the best for graphic designers?

The best-paying states for graphic designers vary, but the average salary range is between $55,089 and $68,980. While specific states like the District of Columbia and New York offer higher salaries, graphic designers can expect to earn a mid-salary of around $61,288, depending on their experience and location.

6. Is graphic design a high paying skill?

Graphic design can be a well-paying skill, with salaries ranging from a minimum of $55,089 to a mid-level of $61,288, and a maximum of $68,980. Freelancers often charge between $25 and $50 per hour for entry-level work, while experienced designers can command rates exceeding $100 per hour, especially in high-paying cities like New York, Atlanta, and Los Angeles.

7. Is graphic design hard?

Learning graphic design can be challenging, but with expert guidance and practical experience, it becomes much more manageable. As you develop your skills, you can expect to earn a salary ranging from $55,089 to $68,980, with a median salary of $61,288. The right support can make all the difference in your journey to becoming a successful graphic designer.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons are derived from both employer job postings and third-party data sources. We also provide multiple percentiles of salary information for your reference, click here to know Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial to Getting Pay Equity Right. With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target.

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