Graphic Designer salary in Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA
Graphic Designers in the Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA metro area earn a median of $49,570 a year ($23.83 an hour), based on BLS data for 100 workers.
Pay ranges from $34,450 for the lowest-paid 10% to $74,230 for the top 10%. That is 21% lower than the national median of $62,960. Pay here is 13% lower than the Tennessee statewide median of $57,270. There are 0.84 graphic designers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.66). The average (mean) salary is $53,220, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for graphic designers in Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $34,450 | $16.56 |
| 25th percentile | $44,340 | $21.32 |
| Median | $49,570 | $23.83 |
| 75th percentile | $62,360 | $29.98 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $74,230 | $35.69 |
| Average (mean) | $53,220 | $25.59 |
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 | $4,130.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,065.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,906.54 |
| Weekly | $953.27 |
| Hourly | $23.83 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $49,570 salary, see how much house you can afford in Tennessee 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 |
| Richmond, VA | $66,350 | 760 |
| Winchester, VA-WV | $62,450 | 60 |
| Charlottesville, VA | $61,700 | 160 |
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $60,370 | 1,590 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $60,150 | 570 |
| Roanoke, VA | $60,120 | 150 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $59,000 | 590 |
| Cleveland, TN | $57,290 | 30 |
| Knoxville, TN | $56,720 | 470 |
| Harrisonburg, VA | $56,630 | n/a |
| Staunton-Stuarts Draft, VA | $56,410 | 30 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $55,250 | 300 |
| Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA | $53,310 | 70 |
| Lynchburg, VA | $49,020 | 80 |
| Johnson City, TN | $48,690 | 50 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $48,520 | n/a |
| Jackson, TN | $48,040 | 40 |
| Morristown, TN | $47,340 | n/a |
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 Tennessee statewide figures.
Related jobs in Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $35,290 | $16.96 |
| Floral Designer | $30,260 | $14.55 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $38,960 | — |
| Public Relations Specialist | $59,960 | $28.83 |
| Producers and Directors | $43,480 | $20.90 |
| Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys | $39,470 | $18.97 |
| Writers and Authors | $57,600 | $27.69 |
| Editor | $45,700 | $21.97 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA
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 Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA?
The median salary for graphic designers in the Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA metro area is $49,570 a year, or $23.83 an hour. Pay ranges from $34,450 for the lowest-paid 10% to $74,230 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid graphic designers make in Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA?
The top 10% of graphic designers in the Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA metro area earn at least $74,230 a year. The top 25% earn $62,360 or more.
What is the starting pay for graphic designers in Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $34,450 a year, and a quarter of graphic designers earn $44,340 or less.
How many graphic designers work in Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA?
About 100 graphic designers are employed in the Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA metro area, not counting the self-employed.