Graphic Designer salary in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD
Graphic Designers in the Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD metro area earn a median of $75,790 a year ($36.44 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,350 workers.
Pay ranges from $45,990 for the lowest-paid 10% to $107,120 for the top 10%. That is 20% higher than the national median of $62,960. Pay here is 1% higher than the Maryland statewide median of $75,120. There are 0.99 graphic designers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.78). The average (mean) salary is $76,720, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for graphic designers in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $45,990 | $22.11 |
| 25th percentile | $58,050 | $27.91 |
| Median | $75,790 | $36.44 |
| 75th percentile | $89,390 | $42.97 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $107,120 | $51.50 |
| Average (mean) | $76,720 | $36.89 |
Half of graphic designers earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $6,315.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,157.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,915 |
| Weekly | $1,457.50 |
| Hourly | $36.44 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $75,790 salary, see how much house you can afford in Maryland at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Graphic Designer salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $85,420 | 4,420 |
| Lexington Park, MD | $67,570 | 60 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $63,090 | 3,360 |
| Salisbury, MD | $61,950 | 40 |
| Hagerstown-Martinsburg, MD-WV | $47,670 | 90 |
Highest-paying states for graphic designers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $87,920 |
| Rhode Island | $78,220 |
| New York | $77,340 |
| Massachusetts | $76,710 |
| California | $75,130 |
| Maryland | $75,120 |
| New Jersey | $73,790 |
| Washington | $72,710 |
| Connecticut | $72,700 |
| Virginia | $72,310 |
See Graphic Designer pay in every state or the Maryland statewide figures.
Related jobs in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $42,660 | $20.51 |
| Interior Designer | $63,080 | $30.33 |
| Commercial and Industrial Designers | $79,820 | $38.37 |
| Art Director | $97,460 | $46.86 |
| Set and Exhibit Designers | $80,280 | $38.59 |
| Floral Designer | $38,890 | $18.70 |
| Designers, All Other | $69,100 | $33.22 |
| Artists and Related Workers, All Other | $132,620 | $63.76 |
| Special Effects Artists and Animators | $90,050 | $43.30 |
| Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators | $65,520 | $31.50 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $48,440 | — |
| Public Relations Specialist | $77,570 | $37.30 |
| Technical Writer | $102,140 | $49.11 |
| Audio and Video Technicians | $65,270 | $31.38 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 27-1024. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a graphic designer make in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD?
The median salary for graphic designers in the Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD metro area is $75,790 a year, or $36.44 an hour. Pay ranges from $45,990 for the lowest-paid 10% to $107,120 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid graphic designers make in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD?
The top 10% of graphic designers in the Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD metro area earn at least $107,120 a year. The top 25% earn $89,390 or more.
What is the starting pay for graphic designers in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $45,990 a year, and a quarter of graphic designers earn $58,050 or less.
How many graphic designers work in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD?
About 1,350 graphic designers are employed in the Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD metro area, not counting the self-employed.