Graphic Designer salary in Burlington, NC
Graphic Designers in the Burlington, NC metro area earn a median of $56,990 a year ($27.40 an hour), based on BLS data for 70 workers.
Pay ranges from $39,780 for the lowest-paid 10% to $92,380 for the top 10%. That is 9% lower than the national median of $62,960. Pay here is 2% lower than the North Carolina statewide median of $58,450. There are 0.96 graphic designers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.76). The average (mean) salary is $61,170, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for graphic designers in Burlington, NC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $39,780 | $19.12 |
| 25th percentile | $45,930 | $22.08 |
| Median | $56,990 | $27.40 |
| 75th percentile | $69,740 | $33.53 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $92,380 | $44.41 |
| Average (mean) | $61,170 | $29.41 |
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 | $4,749.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,374.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,191.92 |
| Weekly | $1,095.96 |
| Hourly | $27.40 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | $63,580 | 370 |
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | $61,700 | 1,040 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $60,150 | 570 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $59,810 | 1,640 |
| Jacksonville, NC | $58,230 | 30 |
| Asheville, NC | $56,760 | 240 |
| Greensboro-High Point, NC | $55,240 | 470 |
| Greenville, NC | $54,860 | 70 |
| Wilmington, NC | $54,720 | 260 |
| Rocky Mount, NC | $52,070 | 30 |
| Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC | $50,540 | 140 |
| Pinehurst-Southern Pines, NC | $50,230 | 30 |
| Winston-Salem, NC | $49,920 | 270 |
| Fayetteville, NC | $49,160 | 130 |
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 North Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Burlington, NC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $36,480 | $17.54 |
| Interior Designer | $77,590 | $37.31 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $42,280 | — |
| Public Relations Specialist | $59,150 | $28.44 |
| Interpreters and Translators | $38,720 | $18.61 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Burlington, NC
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 Burlington, NC?
The median salary for graphic designers in the Burlington, NC metro area is $56,990 a year, or $27.40 an hour. Pay ranges from $39,780 for the lowest-paid 10% to $92,380 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid graphic designers make in Burlington, NC?
The top 10% of graphic designers in the Burlington, NC metro area earn at least $92,380 a year. The top 25% earn $69,740 or more.
What is the starting pay for graphic designers in Burlington, NC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $39,780 a year, and a quarter of graphic designers earn $45,930 or less.
How many graphic designers work in Burlington, NC?
About 70 graphic designers are employed in the Burlington, NC metro area, not counting the self-employed.