Graphic Designer salary in Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC
Graphic Designers in the Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC metro area earn a median of $59,810 a year ($28.75 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,640 workers.
Pay ranges from $39,380 for the lowest-paid 10% to $95,380 for the top 10%. That is 5% lower than the national median of $62,960. Pay here is 2% higher than the North Carolina statewide median of $58,450. There are 1.2 graphic designers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $64,580, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for graphic designers in Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $39,380 | $18.94 |
| 25th percentile | $49,510 | $23.81 |
| Median | $59,810 | $28.75 |
| 75th percentile | $75,290 | $36.20 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $95,380 | $45.86 |
| Average (mean) | $64,580 | $31.05 |
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 | $4,984.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,492.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,300.38 |
| Weekly | $1,150.19 |
| Hourly | $28.75 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $59,810 salary, see how much house you can afford in North Carolina 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | $63,580 | 370 |
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | $61,700 | 1,040 |
| Charleston-North Charleston, SC | $61,450 | 320 |
| Florence, SC | $60,640 | 40 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $60,150 | 570 |
| Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Port Royal, SC | $58,670 | 40 |
| Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC | $58,500 | 490 |
| Jacksonville, NC | $58,230 | 30 |
| Burlington, NC | $56,990 | 70 |
| Asheville, NC | $56,760 | 240 |
| Columbia, SC | $55,690 | 320 |
| Greensboro-High Point, NC | $55,240 | 470 |
| Greenville, NC | $54,860 | 70 |
| Wilmington, NC | $54,720 | 260 |
| Spartanburg, SC | $53,280 | 90 |
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $52,880 | 190 |
| Rocky Mount, NC | $52,070 | 30 |
| Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC | $50,540 | 140 |
| Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC | $50,290 | 100 |
| Pinehurst-Southern Pines, NC | $50,230 | 30 |
| Winston-Salem, NC | $49,920 | 270 |
| Fayetteville, NC | $49,160 | 130 |
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 North Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $39,760 | $19.11 |
| Interior Designer | $64,370 | $30.95 |
| Commercial and Industrial Designers | $83,770 | $40.27 |
| Floral Designer | $38,220 | $18.38 |
| Fashion Designer | $82,130 | $39.48 |
| Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators | $56,300 | $27.07 |
| Designers, All Other | $57,230 | $27.52 |
| Art Director | $90,000 | $43.27 |
| Special Effects Artists and Animators | $92,340 | $44.40 |
| Public Relations Specialist | $75,190 | $36.15 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $46,440 | — |
| Producers and Directors | $74,850 | $35.99 |
| Photographer | $36,810 | $17.70 |
| Audio and Video Technicians | $48,490 | $23.31 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC
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 Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC?
The median salary for graphic designers in the Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC metro area is $59,810 a year, or $28.75 an hour. Pay ranges from $39,380 for the lowest-paid 10% to $95,380 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid graphic designers make in Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC?
The top 10% of graphic designers in the Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC metro area earn at least $95,380 a year. The top 25% earn $75,290 or more.
What is the starting pay for graphic designers in Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $39,380 a year, and a quarter of graphic designers earn $49,510 or less.
How many graphic designers work in Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC?
About 1,640 graphic designers are employed in the Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC metro area, not counting the self-employed.