Graphic Designer salary in Athens-Clarke County, GA
Graphic Designers in the Athens-Clarke County, GA metro area earn a median of $47,750 a year ($22.96 an hour), based on BLS data for 80 workers.
Pay ranges from $28,370 for the lowest-paid 10% to $64,990 for the top 10%. That is 24% lower than the national median of $62,960. Pay here is 21% lower than the Georgia statewide median of $60,250. There are 0.82 graphic designers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.65). The average (mean) salary is $47,430, close to the median.
Pay range for graphic designers in Athens-Clarke County, GA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $28,370 | $13.64 |
| 25th percentile | $37,200 | $17.89 |
| Median | $47,750 | $22.96 |
| 75th percentile | $57,790 | $27.78 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $64,990 | $31.25 |
| Average (mean) | $47,430 | $22.80 |
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 | $3,979.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,989.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,836.54 |
| Weekly | $918.27 |
| Hourly | $22.96 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Graphic Designer salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | $62,680 | 4,060 |
| Savannah, GA | $56,760 | 160 |
| Gainesville, GA | $55,610 | 70 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $55,250 | 300 |
| Warner Robins, GA | $53,920 | 40 |
| Dalton, GA | $53,630 | 120 |
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $52,880 | 190 |
| Macon-Bibb County, GA | $50,960 | 70 |
| Columbus, GA-AL | $48,750 | 110 |
| Brunswick-St. Simons, GA | $44,540 | 30 |
| Valdosta, GA | $42,900 | 40 |
| Albany, GA | $38,870 | 50 |
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 Georgia statewide figures.
Related jobs in Athens-Clarke County, GA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $40,610 | $19.52 |
| Interior Designer | $63,520 | $30.54 |
| Floral Designer | $36,080 | $17.35 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $51,600 | — |
| Public Relations Specialist | $57,600 | $27.69 |
| Audio and Video Technicians | $40,360 | $19.40 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Athens-Clarke County, GA
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 Athens-Clarke County, GA?
The median salary for graphic designers in the Athens-Clarke County, GA metro area is $47,750 a year, or $22.96 an hour. Pay ranges from $28,370 for the lowest-paid 10% to $64,990 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid graphic designers make in Athens-Clarke County, GA?
The top 10% of graphic designers in the Athens-Clarke County, GA metro area earn at least $64,990 a year. The top 25% earn $57,790 or more.
What is the starting pay for graphic designers in Athens-Clarke County, GA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $28,370 a year, and a quarter of graphic designers earn $37,200 or less.
How many graphic designers work in Athens-Clarke County, GA?
About 80 graphic designers are employed in the Athens-Clarke County, GA metro area, not counting the self-employed.