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Illustrator II Salary in the United States

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

As of October 01, 2026, the average salary for an Illustrator II in the United States is $69,570 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $33.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $83,268
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $60,130 to $76,740
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $51,535
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Illustrator II Salaries

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

How Do Illustrator II 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 IIs. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $77,030.
  • California: $76,740.
  • Massachusetts: $75,710.

Top Paying Cities for Illustrator IIs

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: $87,750
  • San Francisco: $86,790
  • Oakland: $84,960

What Skills Can Increase an Illustrator II's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Communication Skills (Mentioned in 6% Job Postings): Communication skills are your ability to share or understand information, ideas, and feelings successfully.
  • InDesign (Mentioned in 4% Job Postings): nDesign is a desktop publishing software application for creating flyers, brochures, magazines, newspapers, and books. Projects created using InDesign can be shared in both digital and print formats.
  • Animation (Mentioned in 2% 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.
Skills Demand Percentage
Communication Skills 6%
InDesign 4%
Animation 2%
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 II's salary.

  • UX Design: Can increase your salary by up to 14%.
  • Creative Thinking: Can increase your salary by up to 12%.
  • Digital Design: Can increase your salary by up to 12%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
UX Design $79,310
14%
Creative Thinking $77,918
12%
Digital Design $77,918
12%
Get Latest Data

Illustrator II Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Illustrator II salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $77,668. While startup companies pay approximate $65,765.

Illustrator II Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $65,765
Growth Stage 51~500 $69,538
Established 501~5000 $74,994
Enterprise 5000+ $77,668

Illustrator II Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Illustrator II roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 80% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Healthcare and MFG Nondurable sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 40% above the average. In contrast, Illustrator positions in Hospitality & Leisure or Pharmaceuticals typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Illustrator II as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for an Illustrator II

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Healthcare$97,398$47.040%
MFG Nondurable$93,920$45.035%
Business Services$90,441$43.030%
Energy & Utilities$86,962$42.025%
Aerospace & Defense$83,484$40.020%

How Education impacts an Illustrator II's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Illustrator IIs enter the field with a No Diploma degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for an Illustrator II with a No Diploma is between $66,124 and $72,550).

Illustrator II Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Illustrator II
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 4.3%
High School 12.8%
Associates 13.4%
Bachelors 59.3%
Masters 9.6%
Doctorate 0.7%
View as Graph

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

Understanding how an Illustrator II'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 October 01, 2026
$60,130
Average $69,570/year
$76,740
$5,011
Average $5,798/month
$6,395
$1,156
Average $1,338/week
$1,476
$29
Average $33/hour
$37
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $76,740 $6,395 $1,476 $37
Average $69,570 $5,798 $1,338 $33
25th Percentile $60,130 $5,011 $1,156 $29

Illustrator II Salary Growth & Career Path

Illustrator II

Next Role

Advancement

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As an Illustrator II, 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
Art and Design Manager $111,200 60%
Photo/Video Specialist III $87,200 25%

Most common benefits for Illustrator II

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

Common company salaries for Illustrator II

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

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FAQ about Illustrator II

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

The Healthcare industry offers the highest average compensation for Illustrator II roles, with salaries approximately 40% above the market median.

2. What is the monthly income of an Illustrator?

The monthly income of an Illustrator varies based on experience and skill level. The minimum salary is approximately ₹54,850 (₹6,620 per month), the mid-salary is around ₹62,000 (₹7,590 per month), and the maximum salary can reach ₹70,958 (₹8,150 per month). This range reflects the potential earnings for Illustrators in India.

3. What is the average salary for a freelance illustrator?

The average salary for a freelance illustrator ranges from $64,620 to $85,150 per year, with a midpoint salary of $74,590. These figures reflect the typical earnings based on collected data, providing a clear picture of the compensation landscape for freelance illustrators.

4. What is the salary of Photoshop illustrator?

The salary for a Photoshop Illustrator ranges from a minimum of ₹64,620 to a maximum of ₹85,150, with an average (mid) salary of ₹74,590. This indicates a competitive earning potential for professionals in this field.

5. Do illustrators get paid well?

Illustrators can earn a decent salary, with a minimum of $64,620, a mid-range salary of $74,590, and a maximum of $85,150. However, many illustrators, especially those focusing on children's books, may earn significantly less, with nearly 50% making under $10,000 annually. Only a small percentage earn over $100,000.

6. Is an illustrator a high demand job?

Illustrators are in high demand, particularly in advertising, publishing, animation, and multimedia. With a salary range from $64,620 to $85,150, the profession offers competitive compensation, reflecting the growing need for creative talent in various industries. This demand highlights the importance of skilled illustrators in today's visual-driven market.

7. What jobs can illustrators do?

Illustrators can pursue various roles, including Illustrator Representative/Agent, creating illustrations for licensing and products, working in print media and publishing, serving as Storyboard Artists, Technical Illustrators, Toy Designers, and Visual Development Artists for feature animation, entertainment, and TV. Salaries for illustrators typically range from $64,620 to $85,150, with a median salary of $74,590.

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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