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Graphic Design Specialist IV Salary in the United States

How much does a Graphic Design Specialist IV make in the United States?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Graphic Design Specialist IV in the United States is $104,915 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $50.

However, a Graphic Design Specialist IV's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $122,862
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $96,030 to $114,309
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $87,941
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Graphic Design Specialist IV Salaries

A Graphic Design Specialist IV'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 Design Specialist IV Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Graphic Design Specialist IV'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 Design Specialist II (2-4 years): $69,978
  • Graphic Design Specialist III (4-7 years): $84,956
  • Graphic Design Specialist IV (7+ years): $104,915
  • Graphic Design Specialist V (7-10 years): $123,338
  • Graphic Design Supervisor (10+ years): $100,014
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Graphic Design Specialist II2-4 years$69,978
Graphic Design Specialist III4-7 years$84,956
Graphic Design Specialist IV7+ years$104,915
Graphic Design Specialist V7-10 years$123,338
Graphic Design Supervisor10+ years$100,014
View as Graph

How Do Graphic Design Specialist IVs 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 Design Specialist IVs. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $116,162.
  • California: $115,721.
  • Massachusetts: $114,179.

Top Paying Cities for Graphic Design Specialist IV

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: $132,329
  • San Francisco: $130,880
  • Oakland: $128,122

What Skills Can Increase a Graphic Design Specialist IV's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Presentation (Mentioned in 4.32% 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.
  • Adobe Illustrator (Mentioned in 3.07% Job Postings): Adobe Illustrator is a vector graphics editor and design program developed and marketed by Adobe Inc. Graphic designers use Illustrator to create vector graphics. You can produce logos, detailed illustrations, web page designs and many more.
  • Microsoft Office (Mentioned in 1.61% Job Postings): Microsoft Office is a suite of desktop productivity applications that is designed by Microsoft for business use. You can create documents containing text and images, work with data in spreadsheets and databases, create presentations and posters.
Skills Demand Percentage
Presentation 4.32%
Adobe Illustrator 3.07%
Microsoft Office 1.61%
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 a Graphic Design Specialist IV's salary.

  • Advertising: Can increase your salary by up to 25%.
  • Packaging: Can increase your salary by up to 13%.
  • Integrity: Can increase your salary by up to 11%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Advertising $131,144
25%
Packaging $118,554
13%
Integrity $116,456
11%
Get Latest Data

Graphic Design Specialist IV Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Graphic Design Specialist IV salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $117,446. While startup companies pay approximate $99,357.

Graphic Design Specialist IV Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $99,357
Growth Stage 51~500 $105,082
Established 501~5000 $113,415
Enterprise 5000+ $117,446

Graphic Design Specialist IV Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Graphic Design Specialist IV 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 Financial Services and Software & Networking sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, Graphic Design Specialist positions in Transportation or Hospitality & Leisure typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Graphic Design Specialist IV as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Graphic Design Specialist IV

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Financial Services$125,898$61.020%
Software & Networking$125,898$61.020%
Aerospace & Defense$120,652$58.015%
Internet$120,652$58.015%
Energy & Utilities$115,407$55.010%

Graphic Design Specialist IV Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Graphic Design Specialist IV'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
$96,030
Average $104,915/year
$114,309
$8,003
Average $8,743/month
$9,526
$1,847
Average $2,018/week
$2,198
$46
Average $50/hour
$55
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $114,309 $9,526 $2,198 $55
Average $104,915 $8,743 $2,018 $50
25th Percentile $96,030 $8,003 $1,847 $46

Graphic Design Specialist IV Salary Growth & Career Path

Graphic Design Specialist IV

Next Role

Advancement

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As a Graphic Design Specialist IV, 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 Design Specialist V $123,338 18%
Package Design Manager $129,783 24%

Most common benefits for Graphic Design Specialist IV

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

Common company salaries for Graphic Design Specialist IV

Here are companies hiring for Graphic Design Specialist IV and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Graphic Design Specialist IV

1. Where can a Graphic Design Specialist IV earn the most?

A Graphic Design Specialist IV's earning potential can vary widely depending on several factors, including location, industry, experience, education, and the specific employer. According to the latest salary data by Salary.com, a Graphic Design Specialist IV earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Graphic Design Specialist IV is $132,329.

2. What is the highest pay for Graphic Design Specialist IV?

The highest pay for Graphic Design Specialist IV is $122,862.

3. What is the lowest pay for Graphic Design Specialist IV?

The lowest pay for Graphic Design Specialist IV is $87,941.

4. What are the responsibilities of Graphic Design Specialist IV?

Designs and produces graphic art and visual materials for print and digital media. Ensures that layout and design are aligned with brand and production standards and follow best practices. Creates and executes design solutions and collateral used for marketing, advertising, sales, and other forms of communication. Coordinates with customers and stakeholders to conceptualize and deliver projects on time and budget. Experienced using a variety of design and editing tools and software such as Adobe. Knowledge of color, composition, typography, digital design and production management. Typically requires a bachelor's degree. Typically reports to a manager. Work is highly independent. May assume a team lead role for the work group. A specialist on complex technical and business matters. Typically requires 7+ years of related experience.

5. What industry pays the highest salary for Graphic Design Specialist IV?

The Financial Services industry offers the highest average compensation for Graphic Design Specialist IV roles, with salaries approximately 20% above the market median.

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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