Graphic Designer salary in Charlottesville, VA
Graphic Designers in the Charlottesville, VA metro area earn a median of $61,700 a year ($29.66 an hour), based on BLS data for 160 workers.
Pay ranges from $39,010 for the lowest-paid 10% to $110,160 for the top 10%. That is 2% lower than the national median of $62,960. Pay here is 15% lower than the Virginia statewide median of $72,310. There are 1.4 graphic designers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $69,400, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for graphic designers in Charlottesville, VA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $39,010 | $18.76 |
| 25th percentile | $48,070 | $23.11 |
| Median | $61,700 | $29.66 |
| 75th percentile | $83,990 | $40.38 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $110,160 | $52.96 |
| Average (mean) | $69,400 | $33.37 |
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 | $5,141.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,570.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,373.08 |
| Weekly | $1,186.54 |
| Hourly | $29.66 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $85,420 | 4,420 |
| Richmond, VA | $66,350 | 760 |
| Winchester, VA-WV | $62,450 | 60 |
| 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 |
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 Virginia statewide figures.
Related jobs in Charlottesville, VA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $38,540 | $18.53 |
| Interior Designer | $59,290 | $28.51 |
| Floral Designer | $40,090 | $19.27 |
| Public Relations Specialist | $76,580 | $36.82 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $52,450 | — |
| Editor | $75,800 | $36.44 |
| Audio and Video Technicians | $52,140 | $25.07 |
| Producers and Directors | $54,140 | $26.03 |
| Writers and Authors | $76,990 | $37.01 |
| Photographer | $44,290 | $21.29 |
| Interpreters and Translators | $65,910 | $31.69 |
| News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists | $51,310 | $24.67 |
| Technical Writer | $93,530 | $44.97 |
| Umpires, Referees, and Other Sports Officials | $33,340 | — |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Charlottesville, VA
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 Charlottesville, VA?
The median salary for graphic designers in the Charlottesville, VA metro area is $61,700 a year, or $29.66 an hour. Pay ranges from $39,010 for the lowest-paid 10% to $110,160 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid graphic designers make in Charlottesville, VA?
The top 10% of graphic designers in the Charlottesville, VA metro area earn at least $110,160 a year. The top 25% earn $83,990 or more.
What is the starting pay for graphic designers in Charlottesville, VA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $39,010 a year, and a quarter of graphic designers earn $48,070 or less.
How many graphic designers work in Charlottesville, VA?
About 160 graphic designers are employed in the Charlottesville, VA metro area, not counting the self-employed.