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Graphic Design Engineer Salary in the United States

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

As of October 01, 2026, the average salary for a Graphic Design Engineer in the United States is $129,722 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $62.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $153,960
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $117,601 to $142,409
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $106,565
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Graphic Design Engineer Salaries

A Graphic Design Engineer'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 Graphic Design Engineer Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Graphic Design Engineer'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): $126,355
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $126,860
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $128,544
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $131,585
  • Expert (over 8 years): $134,648
Levels Salary
Entry Level Graphic Design Engineer$126,355
Intermediate Level Graphic Design Engineer$126,860
Senior Level Graphic Design Engineer$128,544
Specialist Level Graphic Design Engineer$131,585
Expert Level Graphic Design Engineer$134,648
View as Graph

How Do Graphic Design Engineer 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 Engineers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $143,628.
  • California: $143,083.
  • Massachusetts: $141,176.

Top Paying Cities for Graphic Design Engineers

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: $163,618
  • San Francisco: $161,827
  • Oakland: $158,417

Graphic Design Engineer Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Graphic Design Engineer roles, the industry you choose can impact your earning potential by as much as 40% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the highest-paying industry, Healthcare, offers compensation 20% above the average. Conversely, Graphic Design Engineer positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as this sector often view Graphic Design Engineer as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industry for a Graphic Design Engineer

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Healthcare$155,666$75.020%

How Education impacts a Graphic Design Engineer's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Graphic Design Engineers 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 Graphic Design Engineer with a Associate's Degree is between $91,431 and $98,978).

Graphic Design Engineer Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Graphic Design Engineer
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 20.7%
High School 20.7%
Associates 48.3%
Bachelors 23.0%
Masters 8.0%
Doctorate 0.0%
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Graphic Design Engineer Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Graphic Design Engineer'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
$117,601
Average $129,722/year
$142,409
$9,800
Average $10,810/month
$11,867
$2,262
Average $2,495/week
$2,739
$57
Average $62/hour
$68
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $142,409 $11,867 $2,739 $68
Average $129,722 $10,810 $2,495 $62
25th Percentile $117,601 $9,800 $2,262 $57

Most common benefits for Graphic Design Engineer

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

Common company salaries for Graphic Design Engineer

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

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FAQ about Graphic Design Engineer

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Graphic Design Engineer?

The Healthcare industry offers the highest average compensation for Graphic Design Engineer 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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