Graphic Designer salary in Birmingham, AL
Graphic Designers in the Birmingham, AL metro area earn a median of $52,480 a year ($25.23 an hour), based on BLS data for 530 workers.
Pay ranges from $35,000 for the lowest-paid 10% to $93,510 for the top 10%. That is 17% lower than the national median of $62,960. Pay here is 3% higher than the Alabama statewide median of $51,070. There are 1.0 graphic designers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.79). The average (mean) salary is $59,710, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for graphic designers in Birmingham, AL
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $35,000 | $16.83 |
| 25th percentile | $44,380 | $21.34 |
| Median | $52,480 | $25.23 |
| 75th percentile | $69,780 | $33.55 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $93,510 | $44.96 |
| Average (mean) | $59,710 | $28.71 |
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 | $4,373.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,186.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,018.46 |
| Weekly | $1,009.23 |
| Hourly | $25.23 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Huntsville, AL | $62,720 | 270 |
| Auburn-Opelika, AL | $53,120 | 60 |
| Columbus, GA-AL | $48,750 | 110 |
| Montgomery, AL | $48,370 | 150 |
| Dothan, AL | $48,130 | 40 |
| Daphne-Fairhope-Foley, AL | $47,380 | 70 |
| Decatur, AL | $46,170 | 50 |
| Mobile, AL | $45,820 | 100 |
| Tuscaloosa, AL | $45,760 | 70 |
| Anniston-Oxford, AL | $44,480 | 40 |
| Florence-Muscle Shoals, AL | $38,110 | 40 |
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 Alabama statewide figures.
Related jobs in Birmingham, AL
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $47,680 | $22.92 |
| Interior Designer | $62,000 | $29.81 |
| Art Director | $78,710 | $37.84 |
| Floral Designer | $35,940 | $17.28 |
| Commercial and Industrial Designers | $63,650 | $30.60 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $37,140 | — |
| Public Relations Specialist | $64,880 | $31.19 |
| Producers and Directors | $66,110 | $31.78 |
| Editor | $72,650 | $34.93 |
| News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists | $47,260 | $22.72 |
| Photographer | $38,390 | $18.46 |
| Musicians and Singers | — | $23.79 |
| Interpreters and Translators | $41,470 | $19.94 |
| Broadcast Technician | $47,720 | $22.94 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Birmingham, AL
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 Birmingham, AL?
The median salary for graphic designers in the Birmingham, AL metro area is $52,480 a year, or $25.23 an hour. Pay ranges from $35,000 for the lowest-paid 10% to $93,510 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid graphic designers make in Birmingham, AL?
The top 10% of graphic designers in the Birmingham, AL metro area earn at least $93,510 a year. The top 25% earn $69,780 or more.
What is the starting pay for graphic designers in Birmingham, AL?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $35,000 a year, and a quarter of graphic designers earn $44,380 or less.
How many graphic designers work in Birmingham, AL?
About 530 graphic designers are employed in the Birmingham, AL metro area, not counting the self-employed.