Graphic Designers
Design or create graphics to meet specific commercial or promotional needs, such as packaging, displays, or logos. May use a variety of mediums to achieve artistic or decorative effects.Salary by State
| State Name | Employment | Annual Salary | Hourly Salary | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 1,700 | $52,150 | $25.07 | |
| Alaska | 240 | $52,940 | $25.45 | |
| Arizona | 3,140 | $56,090 | $26.97 | |
| Arkansas | 1,150 | $46,950 | $22.57 | |
| California | 28,940 | $70,090 | $33.70 | |
| Colorado | 4,200 | $63,690 | $30.62 | |
| Connecticut | 1,790 | $61,410 | $29.52 | |
| Delaware | 340 | $57,280 | $27.54 | |
| District of Columbia | 1,490 | $85,070 | $40.90 | |
| Florida | 11,910 | $53,720 | $25.83 | |
| Georgia | 5,760 | $57,630 | $27.71 | |
| Hawaii | 360 | $56,510 | $27.17 | |
| Idaho | 1,060 | $45,390 | $21.82 | |
| Illinois | 10,180 | $57,550 | $27.67 | |
| Indiana | 3,610 | $48,540 | $23.34 | |
| Iowa | 2,080 | $44,450 | $21.37 | |
| Kansas | 2,270 | $48,340 | $23.24 | |
| Kentucky | 2,230 | $49,010 | $23.56 | |
| Louisiana | 1,430 | $42,630 | $20.49 | |
| Maine | 620 | $49,930 | $24.01 | |
| Maryland | 3,230 | $64,600 | $31.06 | |
| Massachusetts | 5,240 | $71,770 | $34.51 | |
| Michigan | 6,240 | $59,620 | $28.66 | |
| Minnesota | 4,950 | $60,950 | $29.30 | |
| Mississippi | 710 | $41,560 | $19.98 | |
| Missouri | 3,710 | $47,430 | $22.80 | |
| Montana | 610 | $45,840 | $22.04 | |
| Nebraska | 1,970 | $52,170 | $25.08 | |
| Nevada | 1,360 | $52,930 | $25.45 | |
| New Hampshire | 710 | $55,320 | $26.60 | |
| New Jersey | 5,430 | $67,810 | $32.60 | |
| New Mexico | 880 | $44,100 | $21.20 | |
| New York | 17,470 | $74,510 | $35.82 | |
| North Carolina | 6,180 | $53,770 | $25.85 | |
| North Dakota | 530 | $44,130 | $21.22 | |
| Ohio | 7,910 | $55,230 | $26.55 | |
| Oklahoma | 1,390 | $48,010 | $23.08 | |
| Oregon | 3,000 | $56,830 | $27.32 | |
| Pennsylvania | 8,100 | $53,890 | $25.91 | |
| Rhode Island | 890 | $65,100 | $31.30 | |
| South Carolina | 2,420 | $51,120 | $24.58 | |
| South Dakota | 620 | $40,120 | $19.29 | |
| Tennessee | 3,330 | $49,810 | $23.95 | |
| Texas | 13,450 | $50,920 | $24.48 | |
| Utah | 2,780 | $53,370 | $25.66 | |
| Vermont | 350 | $55,250 | $26.56 | |
| Virginia | 5,000 | $64,490 | $31.01 | |
| Washington | 5,810 | $75,420 | $36.26 | |
| West Virginia | 620 | $43,820 | $21.07 | |
| Wisconsin | 4,400 | $54,910 | $26.40 | |
| Wyoming | 220 | $45,770 | $22.00 |
Education
The programs listed below are typically the education paths that can land you this kind of job.
A program that prepares individuals to apply HTML, CSS, XML, JavaScript, graphics applications, and other authoring tools to the design, editing, and publishing (launching) of documents, images, graphics, sound, and multimedia products on the World Wide Web. Includes instruction in Internet theory, web page standards and policies, elements of web page design, user interfaces, vector tools, special effects, interactive and multimedia components, search engines, navigation, morphing, e-commerce tools, and emerging web technologies.
A program that focuses on the software, hardware, and mathematical tools used to represent, display, and manipulate topological, two-, and three-dimensional objects on a computer screen and that prepares individuals to function as computer graphics specialists. Includes instruction in graphics software and systems; digital multimedia; graphic design; graphics devices, processors, and standards; attributes and transformations; projections; surface identification and rendering; color theory and application; and applicable geometry and algorithms.
A general, undifferentiated program that focuses on the use of computerized digital images as the primary medium of expression in the visual and performing arts, and that may prepare individuals for a wide variety of careers using new media, including graphic design, digital animation, motion graphics, 3D visualization, game and interactive media design, music and sound design, video production, web design, photography, and other fields.
A program in the applied visual arts that focuses on the general principles and techniques for effectively communicating ideas and information, and packaging products, in digital and other formats to business and consumer audiences, and that may prepare individuals in any of the applied art media.
A program in the applied visual arts that prepares individuals to use artistic techniques to effectively communicate ideas and information to business and consumer audiences via illustrations and other forms of digital or printed media. Includes instruction in concept design, layout, paste-up, and techniques such as engraving, etching, silkscreen, lithography, offset, drawing and cartooning, painting, collage, and computer graphics.
A program in the applied visual arts that prepares individuals to use artistic techniques to effectively communicate ideas and information to business and consumer audiences via the creation of effective forms, shapes, and packaging for manufactured products. Includes instruction in designing in a wide variety of plastic and digital media, prototype construction, design development and refinement, principles of cost saving, and product structure and performance criteria relevant to aesthetic design parameters.
A program that prepares individuals to apply artistic and computer techniques to the interpretation of technical and commercial concepts. Includes instruction in computer-assisted art and design, printmaking, concepts sketching, technical drawing, color theory, imaging, studio technique, still and life modeling, multimedia applications, communication skills and commercial art business operations.
-
$59,970 per yearNational average salarySlowJob growth rate
-
Bachelor's degreeTypical education requirement
Educational Attainment
The following chart shows the highest education level completed by those working as graphic designers.
- Less than high school 1%
- High school graduate 5%
- College dropout 14%
- Associate’s degree 12%
- Bachelor’s degree 59%
- Master’s degree 7%
- Doctorate degree 1%
Similar Careers
-
Special Effects Artists and Animators$86,220 per year Average salaryModerateJob growth rate
-
Web and Digital Interface Designers$95,460 per year Average salaryVery HighJob growth rate
-
Art Directors$115,430 per year Average salaryModerateJob growth rate
-
Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators$69,010 per year Average salaryModerateJob growth rate
-
Desktop Publishers$50,930 per year Average salaryDecliningJob growth rate