Graphic Designer salary in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
Graphic Designers in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area earn a median of $85,420 a year ($41.07 an hour), based on BLS data for 4,420 workers.
Pay ranges from $48,580 for the lowest-paid 10% to $131,810 for the top 10%. That is 36% higher than the national median of $62,960. Pay here is 3% lower than the District of Columbia statewide median of $87,920. There are 1.4 graphic designers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $89,540, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for graphic designers in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $48,580 | $23.36 |
| 25th percentile | $66,620 | $32.03 |
| Median | $85,420 | $41.07 |
| 75th percentile | $107,590 | $51.72 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $131,810 | $63.37 |
| Average (mean) | $89,540 | $43.05 |
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 | $7,118.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,559.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,285.38 |
| Weekly | $1,642.69 |
| Hourly | $41.07 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $85,420 salary, see how much house you can afford in District of Columbia 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD | $75,790 | 1,350 |
| Lexington Park, MD | $67,570 | 60 |
| Richmond, VA | $66,350 | 760 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $63,090 | 3,360 |
| Winchester, VA-WV | $62,450 | 60 |
| Salisbury, MD | $61,950 | 40 |
| Charlottesville, VA | $61,700 | 160 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $60,150 | 570 |
| Roanoke, VA | $60,120 | 150 |
| Harrisonburg, VA | $56,630 | n/a |
| Staunton-Stuarts Draft, VA | $56,410 | 30 |
| Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA | $53,310 | 70 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $49,570 | 100 |
| Lynchburg, VA | $49,020 | 80 |
| Hagerstown-Martinsburg, MD-WV | $47,670 | 90 |
| Wheeling, WV-OH | $41,450 | 60 |
| Morgantown, WV | $40,460 | 60 |
| Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH | $39,420 | 80 |
| Parkersburg-Vienna, WV | $39,250 | 30 |
| Charleston, WV | $37,920 | 60 |
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 District of Columbia statewide figures.
Related jobs in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Interior Designer | $79,590 | $38.27 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $45,320 | $21.79 |
| Artists and Related Workers, All Other | $125,050 | $60.12 |
| Art Director | $105,990 | $50.96 |
| Floral Designer | $44,400 | $21.35 |
| Set and Exhibit Designers | $82,960 | $39.88 |
| Special Effects Artists and Animators | $92,760 | $44.60 |
| Commercial and Industrial Designers | $85,660 | $41.18 |
| Fashion Designer | $62,400 | $30.00 |
| Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators | $56,560 | $27.19 |
| Craft Artist | $47,340 | $22.76 |
| Designers, All Other | $60,910 | $29.28 |
| Public Relations Specialist | $101,680 | $48.88 |
| Editor | $84,800 | $40.77 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
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 Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?
The median salary for graphic designers in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area is $85,420 a year, or $41.07 an hour. Pay ranges from $48,580 for the lowest-paid 10% to $131,810 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid graphic designers make in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?
The top 10% of graphic designers in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area earn at least $131,810 a year. The top 25% earn $107,590 or more.
What is the starting pay for graphic designers in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $48,580 a year, and a quarter of graphic designers earn $66,620 or less.
How many graphic designers work in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?
About 4,420 graphic designers are employed in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area, not counting the self-employed.