Graphic Designers pay range in Washington
New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $48,580 a year or less, while the top 10% make $131,810 or more. The middle half of graphic designers in Washington earn between $66,620 and $107,590.
- $49K10th
- $67K25th
- $85KMedian
- $108K75th
- $132K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it
| Pay level | Per year | Per month | Per hour* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $89,540 | $7,462 | $43.05 |
| Median | $85,420 | $7,118 | $41.07 |
| Entry level (25th percentile) | $66,620 | $5,552 | $32.03 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $107,590 | $8,966 | $51.73 |
*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.
Graphic Designers pay in Washington vs. Washington, D.C. and the U.S.
Graphic designers in Washington earn 5% less than the Washington, D.C. average ($94,630) and 27% more than the U.S. average ($70,560). At the median the gap is +36% against the U.S. median of $62,960.
| Area | Average | Median | 10th pct. | 90th pct. | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | $89,540 | $85,420 | $48,580 | $131,810 | 4,420 |
| Washington, D.C. | $94,630 | $87,920 | $62,240 | $136,660 | 1,150 |
| United States | $70,560 | $62,960 | $39,520 | $104,910 | 197,830 |
State and U.S. rows: BLS statewide and national estimates, May 2025, which include rural areas.
Graphic Designers salary after taxes in Washington
On the average salary of $89,540, a single filer in Washington takes home about $67,179 a year, or $5,598 a month and $2,584 every two weeks. Taxes take 25% of gross pay.
The Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area crosses state lines, so take-home pay depends on the state where you work:
| State | Per year | Per month |
|---|---|---|
| Working in WV | $68,610 | $5,717 |
| Working in MD | $67,780 | $5,648 |
| Working in VA | $67,487 | $5,624 |
| Working in DC | $67,179 | $5,598 |
Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2026 rules).
Is Washington a good place for graphic designers? Pay vs. cost of living
Prices in the Washington area are 9% above the U.S. average (BEA price parity 108.9), so the average $89,540 buys what about $82,234 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 1.2 times the median wage of all jobs in Washington ($71,060). A typical home costs $583,013, or 6.5 years of this average salary before tax.
Graphic Designers salary in nearby metro areas
- Hagerstown, MD$56,230
- Baltimore, MD$76,720
- Winchester, VA$65,150
- Lexington Park, MD$71,910
- Gettysburg, PA$69,280
- Chambersburg, PA$54,090
Highest-paying cities for graphic designers
San Jose, CA pays this job the most of the metro areas we cover ($107,360).
- San Jose, CA$107,360
- San Francisco, CA$102,130
- Portland, OR$92,530
- Washington, DC$89,540
- New York, NY$85,950
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Graphic Designers salary in Washington: questions
How much do graphic designers make an hour in Washington?
$43.05 an hour on average, and $41.07 at the median (BLS, May 2025).
What is the entry-level graphic designers salary in Washington?
The lowest-paid 10% earn about $48,580 a year and the 25th percentile is $66,620, a fair guide to starting pay.
What is the graphic designers take-home pay in Washington?
About $67,179 a year ($5,598 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $89,540.
Do graphic designers earn more in Washington than elsewhere?
The average here is 27% more than the U.S. average for this job ($70,560).
Sources and how to read this page
- Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. SOC code 27-1024; area Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV (47900). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 1.6%.
- U.S. and statewide figures: BLS OEWS national and state estimates, May 2025, every employer including rural areas.
- Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
- Home value: Zillow Home Value Index. Typical-wage figure: OEWS all occupations, same metro.
- Take-home pay: Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2026 rules).
- Job concentration: location quotient 1.11, this job is about as common as in the U.S. overall.
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