Graphic Designer

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Graphic Designer

O*NET-SOC: 27-1024.00

Creative Arts

Designs or creates graphics to meet specific commercial or promotional needs, such as packaging, displays, logos, or marketing materials. Uses design software and principles of visual composition, typography, and branding.

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$61K

Median Salary

+3%

Stable

Bachelor's Degree

Min. Education

Good Balance

Work-Life Balance

About This Role

Graphic designers create visual solutions for communication problems, working on everything from logos and brand guidelines to social media posts, packaging, and website layouts. On a typical day they open projects in tools like Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign, or Figma, review briefs in a project management system, and sketch or prototype several concepts before refining one or two directions. They decide on color palettes, typography, iconography, and imagery that align with a brand’s identity, then carefully adjust alignment, spacing, and hierarchy so information is clear and visually appealing. Designers also export assets at different sizes and formats, organize layers and file structures, and prepare print-ready or developer-ready files with clear specifications.

A Day in the Life

9:30 AM

Review briefs and priorities

Open the project management tool, read new or updated briefs, and decide which designs to move forward today based on deadlines and dependencies.

10:00 AM

Sketch concepts

Create quick thumbnail sketches on paper or low-fidelity wireframes in Figma to explore compositions, typography, and image ideas before refining.

11:00 AM

Design in Adobe Creative Cloud

Build higher-fidelity layouts in Illustrator, Photoshop, or InDesign, test color palettes and fonts, and iterate on a few promising directions.

12:30 PM

Lunch and inspiration

Take a break to eat, then browse design blogs or portfolios briefly to gather references and keep a fresh visual library in mind.

1:30 PM

Present work and gather feedback

Join a review with a creative director or client, walk through design rationale, and capture specific revisions and constraints for the next round.

3:00 PM

Refine and finalize assets

Tighten typography, adjust spacing and alignment, prepare multiple layout variations, and ensure files follow brand guidelines and grid systems.

4:30 PM

Export and hand off files

Export web, print, and social formats, name and organize files, and upload them with notes for developers, printers, or marketers before closing out tasks.

Tools & Technologies

• Web Development
• CSS
• HTML
• AJAX
• JavaScript
• PHP
• Graphics & Design
• Adobe Creative Cloud software
• Adobe Illustrator
• Adobe Photoshop
• Trimble SketchUp Pro
• Adobe FreeHand MX
• CAD & Design
• Autodesk AutoCAD
• Autodesk AutoCAD Civil 3D
• Autodesk Revit
• Bentley MicroStation
• Computer aided design and drafting CADD software
• Word Processing
• Microsoft Word
• Google Docs
• Web & Social Media
• Facebook
• WordPress
• Adobe Dreamweaver
• Adobe Macromedia HomeSite
• LinkedIn
• Databases & Data Tools
• Microsoft Access
• SQL
• FileMaker Pro
  

Salary Details

Salary Distribution

Salary distribution for Graphic Designer: 10th percentile $38K, 25th $47K, median $61K, 75th $79K, 90th $103K Median $38K $47K $61K $79K $103K

Most professionals earn between $47K and $79K

Graphic Designer salary percentile distribution Percentile Salary 10th $38K 25th $47K 50th (Median) $61K 75th $79K 90th $103K

Salary by State

Graphic Designer salary by state map

Graphic Designer salary by state State Median Salary Salary Range District of Columbia $91K $61K - $138K California $76K $45K - $128K Massachusetts $76K $47K - $122K Washington $76K $47K - $133K New York $75K $47K - $125K Virginia $70K $38K - $116K New Jersey $67K $45K - $115K Colorado $66K $46K - $106K Maryland $66K $42K - $104K Connecticut $65K $46K - $103K Rhode Island $64K $47K - $98K Oregon $64K $40K - $114K Vermont $62K $45K - $98K Texas $62K $35K - $80K Illinois $60K $38K - $95K Utah $59K $35K - $92K Minnesota $59K $39K - $94K Wisconsin $58K $39K - $81K Florida $58K $37K - $96K Georgia $58K $35K - $97K New Mexico $58K $37K - $103K New Hampshire $57K $40K - $88K Nevada $57K $32K - $85K Indiana $56K $37K - $108K South Carolina $56K $35K - $83K Delaware $56K $37K - $83K Montana $55K $35K - $101K Alaska $55K $38K - $86K Ohio $55K $37K - $87K Maine $53K $37K - $85K Pennsylvania $53K $37K - $92K Michigan $53K $35K - $84K Nebraska $52K $36K - $79K Arizona $52K $39K - $89K Tennessee $52K $30K - $90K Hawaii $52K $30K - $87K Missouri $51K $35K - $81K North Carolina $51K $35K - $93K Kentucky $50K $31K - $78K Oklahoma $50K $26K - $77K Kansas $50K $36K - $83K Idaho $49K $27K - $94K Alabama $48K $30K - $85K North Dakota $48K $34K - $73K Iowa $48K $34K - $73K Arkansas $46K $30K - $81K Louisiana $46K $31K - $73K Mississippi $45K $31K - $76K South Dakota $44K $33K - $60K Wyoming $43K $31K - $84K West Virginia $37K $27K - $69K

Graphic Designer salary by state State Median Salary Salary Range District of Columbia $91K $61K - $138K California $76K $45K - $128K Massachusetts $76K $47K - $122K Washington $76K $47K - $133K New York $75K $47K - $125K Virginia $70K $38K - $116K New Jersey $67K $45K - $115K Colorado $66K $46K - $106K Maryland $66K $42K - $104K Connecticut $65K $46K - $103K Rhode Island $64K $47K - $98K Oregon $64K $40K - $114K Vermont $62K $45K - $98K Texas $62K $35K - $80K Illinois $60K $38K - $95K Utah $59K $35K - $92K Minnesota $59K $39K - $94K Wisconsin $58K $39K - $81K Florida $58K $37K - $96K Georgia $58K $35K - $97K New Mexico $58K $37K - $103K New Hampshire $57K $40K - $88K Nevada $57K $32K - $85K Indiana $56K $37K - $108K South Carolina $56K $35K - $83K Delaware $56K $37K - $83K Montana $55K $35K - $101K Alaska $55K $38K - $86K Ohio $55K $37K - $87K Maine $53K $37K - $85K Pennsylvania $53K $37K - $92K Michigan $53K $35K - $84K Nebraska $52K $36K - $79K Arizona $52K $39K - $89K Tennessee $52K $30K - $90K Hawaii $52K $30K - $87K Missouri $51K $35K - $81K North Carolina $51K $35K - $93K Kentucky $50K $31K - $78K Oklahoma $50K $26K - $77K Kansas $50K $36K - $83K Idaho $49K $27K - $94K Alabama $48K $30K - $85K North Dakota $48K $34K - $73K Iowa $48K $34K - $73K Arkansas $46K $30K - $81K Louisiana $46K $31K - $73K Mississippi $45K $31K - $76K South Dakota $44K $33K - $60K Wyoming $43K $31K - $84K West Virginia $37K $27K - $69K

Lower ($37K-$64K)Middle (~$64K)Higher ($64K-$91K)

Highest Paying States

• 1.District of Columbia$91K
• 2.California$76K
• 3.Massachusetts$76K
• 4.Washington$76K
• 5.New York$75K
  
  

Lowest Paying States

• 1.West Virginia$37K
• 2.Wyoming$43K
• 3.South Dakota$44K
• 4.Mississippi$45K
• 5.Louisiana$46K
  
  

Certifications, Training & Memberships

Recommended

Adobe Certified Professional (ACP)

Adobe

Certification

Validates proficiency in key Adobe Creative Cloud applications such as Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign, showing solid technical tool skills for design work.

Graphic Design certificate or diploma

Accredited colleges, universities, and design schools

Course

Provides structured training in typography, layout, color theory, and branding, often including portfolio-building studio projects with critique.

Helpful

User Interface (UI) or Visual Design certificate

Universities and online platforms

Course

Focuses on digital interface design, including grids, responsive layouts, and component systems for apps and websites, complementing traditional graphic design skills.

Professional Memberships

AIGA membership

AIGA

Membership

Connects designers to a professional community, events, and resources around ethics, practice, and career development in communication design.

Work Environment

Remote Work Fully Remote

Work Setting Traditional office / indoor

Physical Activity Mostly sedentary

Social Interaction Highly collaborative — frequent team interaction

Schedule Extended hours common

Your Skills & Attributes

Skills & Competencies Matches (49)

• Active Listening
  
  

Good Match

• Complex Problem Solving
  
  

Moderate Match

• Judgment and Decision Making
  
  

Moderate Match

• Time Management
  
  

Moderate Match

• Monitoring
  
  

Moderate Match

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Graphic Designer a good career?

Graphic Designer can be a rewarding career choice. Based on current data, the median salary is $61K and job outlook is stable (3% projected growth). Whether it's a good fit depends on your skills, interests, and values — take our quiz to find out how well you match.

What degree do you need to become a Graphic Designer?

The typical education requirement for a Graphic Designer is a Bachelor's Degree. However, requirements can vary by employer and specialization. Some professionals enter the field with alternative credentials or relevant work experience.

How long does it take to become a Graphic Designer?

Becoming a Graphic Designer typically requires about 4 years of undergraduate study. Additional time may be needed for certifications, internships, or on-the-job training depending on the specific role and employer requirements.

What is the work-life balance like for a Graphic Designer?

The work-life balance for a Graphic Designer is generally considered good, with reasonable hours and manageable workloads. Individual experiences vary based on employer, specialization, seniority level, and geographic location.

What is the job outlook for Graphic Designer?

The job outlook for Graphic Designer is stable. Employment is projected to grow by 3% over the coming decade. Labor market conditions can vary by region and specialization.

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