Graphic Designer salary in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY
Graphic Designers in the Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY metro area earn a median of $60,000 a year ($28.85 an hour), based on BLS data for 540 workers.
Pay ranges from $40,280 for the lowest-paid 10% to $97,120 for the top 10%. That is 5% lower than the national median of $62,960. Pay here is 22% lower than the New York statewide median of $77,340. There are 1.0 graphic designers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.79). The average (mean) salary is $64,820, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for graphic designers in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $40,280 | $19.36 |
| 25th percentile | $48,060 | $23.11 |
| Median | $60,000 | $28.85 |
| 75th percentile | $73,140 | $35.16 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $97,120 | $46.69 |
| Average (mean) | $64,820 | $31.17 |
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 | $5,000 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,500 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,307.69 |
| Weekly | $1,153.85 |
| Hourly | $28.85 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $60,000 salary, see how much house you can afford in New York 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 |
|---|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $79,280 | 15,160 |
| Kiryas Joel-Poughkeepsie-Newburgh, NY | $63,560 | 250 |
| Rochester, NY | $63,530 | 650 |
| Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY | $63,200 | 450 |
| Kingston, NY | $61,410 | 70 |
| Ithaca, NY | $61,250 | 40 |
| Utica-Rome, NY | $58,550 | 120 |
| Glens Falls, NY | $56,540 | 50 |
| Binghamton, NY | $53,460 | 100 |
| Syracuse, NY | $52,390 | 290 |
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 New York statewide figures.
Related jobs in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $42,560 | $20.46 |
| Interior Designer | $56,420 | $27.13 |
| Art Director | $95,770 | $46.05 |
| Commercial and Industrial Designers | $78,360 | $37.67 |
| Floral Designer | $37,190 | $17.88 |
| Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators | $55,020 | $26.45 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $50,000 | — |
| Public Relations Specialist | $69,380 | $33.36 |
| Producers and Directors | $79,450 | $38.20 |
| Musicians and Singers | — | $55.43 |
| Audio and Video Technicians | $58,700 | $28.22 |
| Editor | $71,520 | $34.39 |
| Interpreters and Translators | $47,940 | $23.05 |
| Photographer | $39,190 | $18.84 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY
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 Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY?
The median salary for graphic designers in the Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY metro area is $60,000 a year, or $28.85 an hour. Pay ranges from $40,280 for the lowest-paid 10% to $97,120 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid graphic designers make in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY?
The top 10% of graphic designers in the Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY metro area earn at least $97,120 a year. The top 25% earn $73,140 or more.
What is the starting pay for graphic designers in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $40,280 a year, and a quarter of graphic designers earn $48,060 or less.
How many graphic designers work in Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY?
About 540 graphic designers are employed in the Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY metro area, not counting the self-employed.