Graphic Designer salary in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
Graphic Designers in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area earn a median of $63,580 a year ($30.57 an hour), based on BLS data for 370 workers.
Pay ranges from $39,310 for the lowest-paid 10% to $99,320 for the top 10%. That is 1% higher than the national median of $62,960. Pay here is 9% higher than the North Carolina statewide median of $58,450. There are 1.1 graphic designers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $67,480, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for graphic designers in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $39,310 | $18.90 |
| 25th percentile | $49,570 | $23.83 |
| Median | $63,580 | $30.57 |
| 75th percentile | $79,740 | $38.34 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $99,320 | $47.75 |
| Average (mean) | $67,480 | $32.44 |
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 | $5,298.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,649.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,445.38 |
| Weekly | $1,222.69 |
| Hourly | $30.57 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $63,580 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | $61,700 | 1,040 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $60,150 | 570 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $59,810 | 1,640 |
| Jacksonville, NC | $58,230 | 30 |
| Burlington, NC | $56,990 | 70 |
| Asheville, NC | $56,760 | 240 |
| Greensboro-High Point, NC | $55,240 | 470 |
| Greenville, NC | $54,860 | 70 |
| Wilmington, NC | $54,720 | 260 |
| Rocky Mount, NC | $52,070 | 30 |
| Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC | $50,540 | 140 |
| 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 Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $39,080 | $18.79 |
| Interior Designer | $61,670 | $29.65 |
| Art Director | $93,740 | $45.07 |
| Floral Designer | $35,930 | $17.28 |
| Commercial and Industrial Designers | $88,190 | $42.40 |
| Special Effects Artists and Animators | $109,320 | $52.56 |
| Public Relations Specialist | $76,970 | $37.01 |
| Technical Writer | $94,520 | $45.44 |
| Producers and Directors | $69,820 | $33.57 |
| Editor | $80,410 | $38.66 |
| Photographer | $36,670 | $17.63 |
| Audio and Video Technicians | $49,940 | $24.01 |
| Interpreters and Translators | $51,990 | $25.00 |
| Writers and Authors | $84,130 | $40.45 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC
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 Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?
The median salary for graphic designers in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area is $63,580 a year, or $30.57 an hour. Pay ranges from $39,310 for the lowest-paid 10% to $99,320 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid graphic designers make in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?
The top 10% of graphic designers in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area earn at least $99,320 a year. The top 25% earn $79,740 or more.
What is the starting pay for graphic designers in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $39,310 a year, and a quarter of graphic designers earn $49,570 or less.
How many graphic designers work in Durham-Chapel Hill, NC?
About 370 graphic designers are employed in the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC metro area, not counting the self-employed.