Salary AI Book a Demo
upper level job

Illustrator I Salary in the United States

How much does an Illustrator I make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for an Illustrator I in the United States is $56,490 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $27.

However, an Illustrator I's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $70,245
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $52,790 to $63,690
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $49,421
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Illustrator I Salaries

An Illustrator I's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how geographic location and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Do Illustrator 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 Illustrator Is. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $62,590.
  • California: $62,290.
  • Massachusetts: $61,490.

Top Paying Cities for Illustrator 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: $71,290
  • San Francisco: $70,490
  • Oakland: $68,990

What Skills Can Increase an Illustrator I's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Presentation (Mentioned in 5.22% 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.
  • Photoshop (Mentioned in 2.43% Job Postings): Photoshop is an image creation, graphic design and photo editing software developed by Adobe. It is used to demonstrate knowledge of image resolution, image size, and image file format for web, video, and print.
  • Sales Systems (Mentioned in 1.74% Job Postings): Tracking and containing relevant information about the sale using tools and software to organize the sales process.
Skills Demand Percentage
Presentation 5.22%
Photoshop 2.43%
Sales Systems 1.74%
See More Skills

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 Illustrator I's salary.

  • Study Design: Can increase your salary by up to 32%.
  • Consulting: Can increase your salary by up to 16%.
  • Leadership: Can increase your salary by up to 15%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Study Design $74,567
32%
Consulting $65,528
16%
Leadership $64,964
15%
Get Latest Data

Illustrator I Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Illustrator I salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $63,130. While startup companies pay approximate $53,401.

Illustrator I Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $53,401
Growth Stage 51~500 $56,477
Established 501~5000 $60,960
Enterprise 5000+ $63,130

Illustrator I Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Illustrator I roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 55% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Software & Networking and Financial Services sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 25% above the average. In contrast, Illustrator positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit or Hospitality & Leisure typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Illustrator I as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for an Illustrator I

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Software & Networking$70,612$34.025%
Financial Services$67,788$33.020%
Internet$64,963$31.015%
Biotechnology$62,139$30.010%
Healthcare$62,139$30.010%

Illustrator I Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an Illustrator 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 September 01, 2026
$52,790
Average $56,490/year
$63,690
$4,399
Average $4,708/month
$5,308
$1,015
Average $1,086/week
$1,225
$25
Average $27/hour
$31
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $63,690 $5,308 $1,225 $31
Average $56,490 $4,708 $1,086 $27
25th Percentile $52,790 $4,399 $1,015 $25

Illustrator I Salary Growth & Career Path

Illustrator I

Next Role

Advancement

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As an Illustrator I, 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.

Next Step Role Estimate Salary Projected Raise
Graphic Artist / Designer II $69,600 23%
Video Web Integrator/Editor $74,400 32%
Photo/Video Specialist II $70,900 26%

Most common benefits for Illustrator I

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Illustrator I

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

Find Your Next Illustrator I Job

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

For Employees

Analyze the market and your qualifications to negotiate your salary with confidence.

Get a Salary Increase

Search thousands of open positions to find your next opportunity.

Search Job Openings

For Employers

Individualize employee pay based on unique job requirements and personal qualifications.

Adjust Employee Salary

Get the latest market price for benchmark jobs and jobs in your industry.

Price My Industry Jobs

FAQ about Illustrator I

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Illustrator I?

The Software & Networking industry offers the highest average compensation for Illustrator I roles, with salaries approximately 25% above the market median.

2. How much should a beginner illustrator charge?

A beginner illustrator should consider charging based on the following salary data: an annual salary range of approximately $51,090 to $68,190. This translates to an hourly rate of about $25 to $35, depending on experience and project complexity. For project-based work, fees could range from $25 to $1,000 per illustration.

3. Are illustrators well paid?

Illustrators can earn a decent salary, with a minimum of $51,090, a mid-range salary of $56,890, and a maximum of $68,190. However, pay can be inconsistent, especially in the early years, leading many to seek additional part-time work. Opportunities exist in various locations, but being near a city can be beneficial, particularly for those without an agent.

4. How much does an entry level Illustrator make?

An entry-level Illustrator typically earns between $51,090 and $68,190 annually, with a mid-salary of around $56,890. This range reflects the varying pay scales across different regions and industries, ensuring that entry-level positions offer competitive compensation for creative talent.

5. How much money can you make as an Illustrator?

As an Illustrator, you can expect to earn between $51,090 and $68,190 annually, with a median salary of $56,890. This translates to a monthly pay ranging from approximately $4,258 to $5,682, depending on your experience and skill level.

6. Is illustrator a high paying job?

The salary for an Illustrator ranges from a minimum of $51,090 to a maximum of $68,190, with a median salary of $56,890. While this can be considered a decent income, whether it is high-paying depends on individual circumstances and location. Overall, it offers a competitive salary within the creative industry.

7. Will AI replace illustrators?

Yes, competition for freelance illustration jobs is increasing, and clients are spending less on creative work during this economic uncertainty. However, this trend will eventually change. While clients may experiment with AI for certain tasks, it won't replace illustrators, whose salaries range from $51,090 to $68,190, reflecting their unique skills and creativity.

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.

Are you an HR manager or compensation specialist?

Salary.com's CompAnalyst platform offers:

  • Detailed skills and competency reports for specific positions
  • Job and employee pricing reports
  • Compensation data tools, salary structures, surveys and benchmarks.
Learn about CompAnalyst