Graphic Designer salary in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN
Graphic Designers in the Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN metro area earn a median of $60,370 a year ($29.03 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,590 workers.
Pay ranges from $43,200 for the lowest-paid 10% to $95,880 for the top 10%. That is 4% lower than the national median of $62,960. Pay here is 5% higher than the Tennessee statewide median of $57,270. There are 1.4 graphic designers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $65,950, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for graphic designers in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $43,200 | $20.77 |
| 25th percentile | $49,810 | $23.95 |
| Median | $60,370 | $29.03 |
| 75th percentile | $77,440 | $37.23 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $95,880 | $46.09 |
| Average (mean) | $65,950 | $31.71 |
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 | $5,030.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,515.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,321.92 |
| Weekly | $1,160.96 |
| Hourly | $29.03 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $60,370 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $59,000 | 590 |
| Cleveland, TN | $57,290 | 30 |
| Knoxville, TN | $56,720 | 470 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $55,250 | 300 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $49,570 | 100 |
| 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 Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $36,090 | $17.35 |
| Interior Designer | $69,770 | $33.55 |
| Art Director | $101,470 | $48.78 |
| Floral Designer | $39,150 | $18.82 |
| Designers, All Other | $85,280 | $41.00 |
| Artists and Related Workers, All Other | $48,380 | $23.26 |
| Commercial and Industrial Designers | $68,020 | $32.70 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $39,170 | — |
| Producers and Directors | $79,590 | $38.27 |
| Public Relations Specialist | $62,870 | $30.23 |
| Audio and Video Technicians | $51,370 | $24.70 |
| Editor | $64,250 | $30.89 |
| Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys | $48,340 | $23.24 |
| Writers and Authors | $63,270 | $30.42 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN
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 Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN?
The median salary for graphic designers in the Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN metro area is $60,370 a year, or $29.03 an hour. Pay ranges from $43,200 for the lowest-paid 10% to $95,880 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid graphic designers make in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN?
The top 10% of graphic designers in the Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN metro area earn at least $95,880 a year. The top 25% earn $77,440 or more.
What is the starting pay for graphic designers in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $43,200 a year, and a quarter of graphic designers earn $49,810 or less.
How many graphic designers work in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN?
About 1,590 graphic designers are employed in the Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN metro area, not counting the self-employed.