Salary AI Book a Demo
upper level job

Graphic Design Specialist V Salary in the United States

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

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Graphic Design Specialist V in the United States is $123,338 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $59.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $146,340
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $113,912 to $135,378
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $105,330
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Graphic Design Specialist V Salaries

A Graphic Design Specialist V'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 V Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Graphic Design Specialist V'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 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
  • Graphic Design Manager (10+ years): $120,318
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
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
Graphic Design Manager10+ years$120,318
View as Graph

How Do Graphic Design Specialist Vs 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 Vs. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $136,560.
  • California: $136,042.
  • Massachusetts: $134,229.

Top Paying Cities for Graphic Design Specialist V

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: $155,566
  • San Francisco: $153,863
  • Oakland: $150,620

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

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Presentation (Mentioned in 3.6% 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.
  • Illustration (Mentioned in 2.26% Job Postings): Using creative artwork to explain or depict a particular meaning to come across the viewer's mind.
  • Digital Marketing (Mentioned in 1.25% Job Postings): Digital marketing is the marketing of products or services using digital technologies, mainly on the Internet, but also including mobile phones, display advertising, and any other digital medium. Digital marketing's development since the 1990s and 2000s has changed the way brands and businesses use technology for marketing. As digital platforms are increasingly incorporated into marketing plans and everyday life, and as people use digital devices instead of visiting physical shops, digital marketing campaigns are becoming more prevalent and efficient. Digital marketing methods such as search engine optimization (SEO), search engine marketing (SEM), content marketing, influencer marketing, content automation, campaign marketing, data-driven marketing, e-commerce marketing, social media marketing, social media optimization, e-mail direct marketing, Display advertising, e–books, and optical disks and games are becoming more common in our advancing technology. In fact, digital marketing now extends to non-Internet channels that provide digital media, such as mobile phones (SMS and MMS), callback, and on-hold mobile ring tones. In essence, this extension to non-Internet channels helps to differentiate digital marketing from online marketing, another catch-all term for the marketing methods mentioned above, which strictly occur online.
Skills Demand Percentage
Presentation 3.6%
Illustration 2.26%
Digital Marketing 1.25%
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 V's salary.

  • Teamwork: Can increase your salary by up to 34%.
  • Publishing: Can increase your salary by up to 30%.
  • Leadership: Can increase your salary by up to 13%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Teamwork $165,273
34%
Publishing $160,339
30%
Leadership $139,372
13%
Get Latest Data

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

Graphic Design Specialist V salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $138,070. While startup companies pay approximate $116,804.

Graphic Design Specialist V Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $116,804
Growth Stage 51~500 $123,534
Established 501~5000 $133,331
Enterprise 5000+ $138,070

Graphic Design Specialist V Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Graphic Design Specialist V roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 42% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Biotechnology and Financial Services sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 15% above the average. In contrast, Graphic Design Specialist positions in Transportation or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Graphic Design Specialist V as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Graphic Design Specialist V

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Biotechnology$141,839$68.015%
Financial Services$141,839$68.015%
Insurance$138,139$66.012%
Energy & Utilities$135,672$65.010%
Aerospace & Defense$133,205$64.08%

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

Understanding how a Graphic Design Specialist V'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
$113,912
Average $123,338/year
$135,378
$9,493
Average $10,278/month
$11,282
$2,191
Average $2,372/week
$2,603
$55
Average $59/hour
$65
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $135,378 $11,282 $2,603 $65
Average $123,338 $10,278 $2,372 $59
25th Percentile $113,912 $9,493 $2,191 $55

Graphic Design Specialist V Salary Growth & Career Path

Graphic Design Specialist V

Next Role

Advancement

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As a Graphic Design Specialist V, 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 Supervisor $100,014 -19%
Package Design Manager $129,783 5%

Most common benefits for Graphic Design Specialist V

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

Common company salaries for Graphic Design Specialist V

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

Find Your Next Graphic Design Specialist V Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Graphic Design Specialist V 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 Graphic Design Specialist V

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

A Graphic Design Specialist V'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 V earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Graphic Design Specialist V is $155,566.

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

The highest pay for Graphic Design Specialist V is $146,340.

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

The lowest pay for Graphic Design Specialist V is $105,330.

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

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. Works autonomously. Goals are generally communicated in "solution" or project goal terms. May provide a leadership role for the work group through knowledge in the area of specialization. Works on advanced, complex technical projects or business issues requiring state of the art technical or industry knowledge. Typically requires 10+ years of related experience.

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

The Biotechnology industry offers the highest average compensation for Graphic Design Specialist V roles, with salaries approximately 15% 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.

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
lower level job