Graphic Designers
Salary, job outlook, AI risk & career information
Median Salary
$61,300
~$29/hr · ~$5,108/mo
US Jobs
266K
Slower than average
AI & Automation Risk
9/10
Very High
AI & Automation Risk
Very High 9/10
Graphic design is a fundamentally digital occupation where core tasks—image generation, layout creation, and photo editing—are being rapidly transformed by generative AI. While high-level creative direction and client management remain human-centric, the automation of production tasks significantly increases individual productivity, likely reducing the total number of designers needed for routine commercial work.
Salary by City — What You Actually Take Home
Real purchasing power = salary adjusted for cost of living. Higher = more money in your pocket.
| City | Local Salary | Cost of Living | Real Purchasing Power |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CABEST VALUE | $98,530 | Above avg (113.1) | $87,149 |
| Sierra Vista-Douglas, AZ | $72,500 | Below avg (87.3) | $83,055 |
| Greeley, CO | $73,810 | Below avg (96.6) | $76,374 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $89,490 | Above avg (117.6) | $76,129 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $82,360 | Above avg (109.5) | $75,185 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $82,630 | Above avg (112.7) | $73,298 |
| Walla Walla, WA | $70,590 | Average (97.9) | $72,085 |
| Kennewick-Richland, WA | $70,590 | Average (98.9) | $71,386 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | $78,000 | Above avg (110.4) | $70,657 |
| Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO | $74,540 | Above avg (105.8) | $70,475 |
| Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury, CT Metropolitan Statistical Area | $75,220 | Above avg (107.0) | $70,292 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $75,470 | Above avg (109.1) | $69,181 |
| Helena, MT | $62,870 | Below avg (92.1) | $68,258 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $75,850 | Above avg (112.6) | $67,335 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $57,060 | Below avg (85.0) | $67,139 |
Cost of Living Index: 100 = US national average. Below 100 = cheaper. Above 100 = more expensive.
Education & Requirements
Education Required
Bachelor's degree
10-Year Growth
+2% (Slower than average)
Hourly Rate
~$29/hr
Monthly Income
~$5,108/mo
Related Careers
Data: Bureau of Labor Statistics OOH (2024)