2D Illustrator Salary in the United States

How much does a 2D Illustrator make in the United States?

As of April 01, 2026, the average salary for a 2D Illustrator in the United States is $68,330 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $33.

However, a 2D Illustrator's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $79,483
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $62,022 to $74,168
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $56,279
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View as table View as graph 25% $62,022 10% $56,279 90% $79,483 75% $74,168 $68,330 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

2D Illustrator Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $74,168 $6,181 $1,426 $36
Average $68,330 $5,694 $1,314 $33
25th Percentile $62,022 $5,168 $1,193 $30
Check out 2D Illustrator Job Openings in the United States
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Sr Corporate Communications Support Graphic Illustrator

T3W Business Solutions, Inc. - Dayton, OH

Illustratorin mit Herz

Dasauge - New Bremen, OH

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Key Factors That Influence 2D Illustrator Salaries

A 2D Illustrator'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, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects 2D Illustrator Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a 2D Illustrator'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:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $53,203
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $67,113
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $81,431
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $93,200
  • Expert (over 8 years): $116,886
Levels Salary
Claims Ex... Level 2D Illustrator$53,203
2D Illust... Level 2D Illustrator$67,113
Claims Ex... Level 2D Illustrator$81,431
Claims Ex... Level 2D Illustrator$93,200
Claims Ex... Level 2D Illustrator$116,886
$53,203 0 yr
$67,113 < 2 yrs
$81,431 2-4 yrs
$93,200 5-8 yrs
$116,886 > 8 yrs
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What Am I Worth?

How Do 2D Illustrator 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 2D Illustrators. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $75,655.
  • California: $75,368.
  • Massachusetts: $74,363.

Top Paying Cities for 2D Illustrators

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: $86,184
  • San Francisco: $85,337
  • Oakland: $83,444

What Skills Can Increase a 2D Illustrator's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Customer Service (Mentioned in 9.81% Job Postings): Customer service is the provision of service to customers before, during and after a purchase. The perception of success of such interactions is dependent on employees "who can adjust themselves to the personality of the guest". Customer service concerns the priority an organization assigns to customer service relative to components such as product innovation and pricing. In this sense, an organization that values good customer service may spend more money in training employees than the average organization or may proactively interview customers for feedback. From the point of view of an overall sales process engineering effort, customer service plays an important role in an organization's ability to generate income and revenue. From that perspective, customer service should be included as part of an overall approach to systematic improvement. One good customer service experience can change the entire perception a customer holds towards the organization.
  • Claim Handling (Mentioned in 3.21% Job Postings): involved in managing a claim from the start through to settlement, making decisions on the extent and validity of a claim, and checking for any potential fraudulent activity.
  • Technical Skills (Mentioned in 1.89% Job Postings): Technical skills are the specialized knowledge and expertise required to perform specific tasks and use specific tools and programs in real world situations.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Customer Service 9.81%
Claim Handling 3.21%
Technical Skills 1.89%
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 2D Illustrator's salary.
  • Coordination: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
  • Agility: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
  • Mediation: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Coordination
$72,429
6%
Agility
$72,429
6%
Mediation
$72,429
6%
Risk Management
$72,429
6%
Client Service
$71,063
4%
Financial Services
$71,063
4%
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How Education impacts a 2D Illustrator's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many 2D Illustrators enter the field with a Associate's Degree degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a 2D Illustrator with a Associate's Degree is between $65,005 and $69,385).

2D Illustrator Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for 2D Illustrator
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 29.3%
High School 29.3%
Associates 9.1%
Bachelors 46.3%
Masters 8.5%
Doctorate 6.7%
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2D Illustrator Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a 2D Illustrator'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 April 01, 2026

Salary Trends for 2D Illustrator

Salaries for a 2D Illustrator can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $62,133 in 2023 to around $61,740 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of 2D Illustrator salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of 2D Illustrator Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$62,133
2024
$62,010
2025
$61,740
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $62,133
2024 $62,010
2025 $61,740
2026
View More
2027
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Most common benefits for 2D Illustrator

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for 2D Illustrator

Here are companies hiring for 2D Illustrator and their salaries, click below for more details.

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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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