Discover the Income of Graphic Designers for this year
As a graphic designer, you create meaningful and distinctive visual elements for your clients. However, before learning graphic design, you probably want to know how lucrative the industry is. This knowledge can help you decide whether to launch a full-time career or sell design services as a side job or venture .
Although the salary of a graphic designer can vary, you can earn between $53,920 USD to $94,129 USD per year. You could also increase your salary significantly by learning new software, gaining more experience, and moving to a new location with a higher salary.
In this post, we will show you graphic design and the job requirements to become a graphic designer. Then, we will explain how much you can win in this race. Let’s get started!
An Introduction to a Professional Path in Graphic Design
According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics , graphic designers are responsible for developing visual concepts. This definition may sound vague, but it is because graphic design can cover many responsibilities.
As the name suggests, graphic designers create graphics. These can be physical or visual designs and illustrations that meet a specific need. When you see a billboard or product label, it was probably created by a graphic designer.
Depending on the client, you may have several graphic design projects. A common task is to make logos for brands and small businesses. With the right design details, you can communicate the client’s message and brand .
Graphic designers also select colors, typography, images, and layout for websites. They often design visuals for social media posts and advertisements as well.
Since graphic designers have multiple responsibilities, they are involved in many industries. Here are some of the main sectors of graphic design:
- Advertisements
- Web design
- User Experience (UX)
- Online or offline publications
Although you can work on some visual aspects of web design , you probably won’t have to implement code. Usually, you will work alongside a web developer who is familiar with backend and frontend development.
If you want to become a graphic designer, there are many routes you can take. Whether you work for companies or are a freelancer, you can find clients who need visual design services. As your career progresses, you may even end up in different industries than expected.
Job Requirements for a Graphic Designer
Before jumping into a career in graphic design, it is essential to know the skill set you will need in your career. Graphic designers are generally familiar with software such as Adobe Photoshop . This is a standard tool in the graphic design industry that you can use for editing any type of image.
InDesign is another popular graphic design software. You can use this publishing app to create everything from posters to magazines.
Here are some additional software applications that graphic designers often use:
Learning about common UX practices is also a good idea if you’re planning to work in web design. It can also help to learn some basic programming languages to implement your visual ideas more effectively.
Plus, almost anyone can learn how to use design technology. Therefore, it can also be beneficial to have some skills. If you’re a creative and organized problem solver, you probably have what it takes to make engaging visuals . You will probably be working with a team of people, so you will also need to be communicative.
Most graphic designers earn an associate’s or college degree in graphic design. This is what you can learn in these programs:
- 2D and 3D design
- Motion graphics
- Design and color fundamentals
- Web design, including HTML , CSS , and JavaScript
However, you may not need a degree in graphic design. You can easily find job opportunities if you have relevant experience, a strong portfolio, and familiarity with design software.
How much does a graphic designer earn? (Updated)
Graphic designer salaries can vary based on several factors. However, the US Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the average minimum salary for this career is $59,970 USD in 2021.
This information was collected from 204,040 graphic designers, excluding individuals with freelance jobs. Of these professionals, the lowest percentile earned $31,310 USD per year, while the highest percentile earned $98,260 USD.
According to Indeed , the average salary for a graphic designer in the United States is $58,965 USD annually or $21.86 per hour. The most common benefits of this career include a 401(k), health insurance, opportunities for advancement, and remote employment.
On Glassdoor , there is a similar annual salary. For graphic designers, base pay starts at $52,012 USD annually. With cash bonuses and other benefits, the average graphic design salary is $94,158 USD.
As you can see, it can be challenging to find the exact amount you will earn as a graphic designer. Depending on your level of experience and location, your income may be higher or lower than the national average.
How Experience Level Affects Graphic Designer Salaries
If you have years of experience in graphic design, your salary can increase significantly. Like other jobs, employers will likely reward you for having extensive knowledge in your field.
With more than 10 years of experience, Indeed estimates you could earn $69,404 USD per year. With only 1 or 2 years, this amount drops to $51,194 USD. If you’ve been working less than a year, Indeed lists a salary of $48,815 USD.
However, Salary.com lists a salary income for entry-level graphic designers. Without work experience, the national average is $56,501 USD per year.
For an experienced position, this average increases to around $23k USD. According to Salary.com , graphic designers can earn an average salary of $79,602 USD.
You will probably earn more as you become more familiar with the graphic designer. As with any job, your income should increase over the years.
How Location Affects Graphic Designer Salaries
In the United States, salaries for graphic designers can vary based on your state. Using this graph of the base salary reported by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics , you can see if you are living in a location with a higher salary.
Some areas with higher salaries for graphic designers include Washington, DC, Washington State, New York, and Massachusetts. These locations have an average annual base salary of over $70k USD.
You may also consider moving to a high-paying metropolitan area to earn more as a graphic designer. The San Jose – Sunnyvale – Santa Clara area pays an average annual salary of $85. 310 USD.
Indeed also lists some of the highest-paying cities in the United States. If you live in Los Angeles, Atlanta, or Portland, you could potentially earn more than $55k USD per year.
Lastly, living in certain locations can lead to higher pay as a graphic designer. However, you will also need to consider the cost of living to see if moving to a new city would be viable.
How to Increase Your Salary as a Graphic Designer
Don’t be discouraged if you’re not happy with your current salary as a graphic designer. There are many ways you can increase your income and receive compensation
For example, you may consider applying for a job in a different industry. Some of the industries with the best salaries for graphic designers are Central Bank Monetary Authorities, Software Advertisers, and Natural Gas Distribution. All of these can pay over $90k USD a year.
Additionally, you can earn a higher level of education. Having a 4-year degree or design certification can often increase your income.
If you don’t want to pay for a college degree, you can invest time expanding your skills. For graphic design, knowing how to use Sketch, Cinema 4D and InVision can increase your salary by more than 27% .
It can also be helpful to create a portfolio to showcase your previous work. Showcasing your design projects can be more engaging than simply listing them on a resume.
Finally, you can focus on a graphic design niche. This can help you find more specialized jobs with a higher salary. Instead of applying for a range of jobs, you can gain years of experience in a specific area of expertise, such as marketing, print media, or motion graphics .
Monetize Your Graphic Design Skills
If you are a creative person with a good eye for design, you may consider becoming a graphic designer. In this career, you work with advertisers, agencies, and freelance clients to optimize their branding, web design, advertising materials, and more.
If you live in the United States, you could start earning around $55k USD as a graphic designer. However, your income may vary depending on the state in which you live. Once you gain more experience, you can begin applying for higher-paying positions or earning salary increases.
