What Are The Best States With The Best Pay For Graphic Designers?

10 States With The Best Average Pay For Graphic Designers
State	Avg Pay
District of Columbia	$72,820
New York	$60,560
California	$58,940
Connecticut	$58,940
Maryland	$58,440
New Jersey	$56,030
Washington	$55,030
Virginia	$54,770
Massachusetts	$54,650
Rhode Island	$53,630

Graphic designers design or create graphics to meet specific needs such as packaging, logos, displays, websites, publications, and more. Some graphic designers even design the overall look for film and television credits. They work with sound, colors, artwork, photography, software, and even animation to produce whatever the project entails. Graphic designers work in manufacturing, specialized design services, publishing, advertising, public relations, computer systems design and related services, wholesale trade, government, aerospace, securities and commodities, and scientific research and development services. Some graphic designers work independently in an office or studio setting, while others are part of a design team. Some designers telecommute, while others are self-employed. In 2012, around 24 percent of graphic designers were self-employed.

As of March 25, 2015, the mean wage for graphic designers was $50,670, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). It is important to note that average salaries vary greatly by state and industry. For example, the ten highest paying states for graphic designers are:

District of Columbia: $72,820 per year
New York: $60,560
California: $58,940
Connecticut: $58,940
Maryland: $58,440
New Jersey: $56,030
Washington: $55,030
Virginia: $54,770
Massachusetts: $54,650
Rhode Island: $53,630

The ten lowest paying states for graphic designers are:

South Carolina: $39,940 per year
Iowa: $39,500
Alabama: $39,470
Louisiana: $39,170
Arkansas: $39,100
Maine: $38,000
Wyoming: $37,960
Mississippi: $36,250
North Dakota: $35,370
South Dakota: $35,140

The states with average salaries ranging from $45,810 to $49,530 per year are Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, Michigan, Missouri, Nevada, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Utah, Vermont and Wisconsin. Of these states, Alaska had the highest average salary at $49,530 and Wisconsin had the lowest at $45,810.

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The states with average salaries ranging from $40,440 to $45,530 per year are Florida, Hawaii, Idaho, Indiana, Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas and West Virginia.

So the state with the best pay for graphic designers? Washington, DC. The worst? South Dakota.

Schools to Consider:

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Full Sail University

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Winter Park, FL & Online

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Animation Career Review Rankings:

Top 50 Nationally for Animation (#14) - 2024
Top 50 Nationally for Game Design (#12) - 2024
Top 50 Nationally for Graphic Design (#36) - 2024

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Southern New Hampshire University

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Online

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Animation Career Review Rankings:

Top 50 Private Graphic Design Schools in the US (#46) - 2024

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Image Campus

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Buenos Aires, Argentina & Online

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Animation Career Review Rankings:

Top 25 International Animation Schools - 2024 (#23)

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CG Spectrum College of Digital Art & Animation

Selected Campus Locations:

Online

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Animation Career Review Rankings:

Top 25 International Animation Training Programs (#18) - 2024

Awesome Animation Fact: In 1979, two films, “The Black Hole” and “Alien” utilized raster wireframe models to depict the appropriate space scenario required on the course of the story depicted on the film. In 1982, another two films “Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan” and “Tron” were produced, which advanced further CGI developments in filmmaking. -Knoji

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What Are The Best States With The Best Pay For Graphic Designers?

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