| 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.
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:
- San Francisco & Online
- Top 50 Nationally for Animation (#14) - 2022
- Top 50 Nationally for Game Design (#40) - 2022
- Top 50 Nationally for Illustration (#24) - 2021
- Top 50 Nationally for Graphic Design (#38) - 2021
- Winter Park, FL & Online
- Computer Animation - Bachelor's - Online & Campus
- Game Programs - Bachelor's & Master's - Online & Campus
- Graphic Design & Digital Arts - Bachelor's - Online & Campus
- Film & Digital Cinematography - Bachelor's & Master's - Online & Campus
- Simulation & Visualization - Bachelor's - Campus
- Game Business & Esports Bachelor’s of Science - Online & Campus
- User Experience Bachelor's Degree – Online
- Top 50 Nationally for Animation (#11) - 2022
- Top 50 Nationally for Game Design (#10) - 2022
- Top 25 in the South for Graphic Design (#10) - 2021
- Online
- Online
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