Graphic Designer salary in Columbia, SC
Graphic Designers in the Columbia, SC metro area earn a median of $55,690 a year ($26.77 an hour), based on BLS data for 320 workers.
Pay ranges from $37,210 for the lowest-paid 10% to $86,240 for the top 10%. That is 12% lower than the national median of $62,960. Pay here is 3% lower than the South Carolina statewide median of $57,170. There are 0.81 graphic designers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.64). The average (mean) salary is $58,670, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for graphic designers in Columbia, SC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $37,210 | $17.89 |
| 25th percentile | $45,630 | $21.94 |
| Median | $55,690 | $26.77 |
| 75th percentile | $65,630 | $31.55 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $86,240 | $41.46 |
| Average (mean) | $58,670 | $28.21 |
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 | $4,640.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,320.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,141.92 |
| Weekly | $1,070.96 |
| Hourly | $26.77 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Charleston-North Charleston, SC | $61,450 | 320 |
| Florence, SC | $60,640 | 40 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $59,810 | 1,640 |
| Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Port Royal, SC | $58,670 | 40 |
| Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC | $58,500 | 490 |
| Spartanburg, SC | $53,280 | 90 |
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $52,880 | 190 |
| Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC | $50,290 | 100 |
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 South Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Columbia, SC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $36,870 | $17.73 |
| Art Director | $87,990 | $42.30 |
| Interior Designer | $62,720 | $30.15 |
| Floral Designer | $27,830 | $13.38 |
| Commercial and Industrial Designers | $74,960 | $36.04 |
| Public Relations Specialist | $61,610 | $29.62 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $47,050 | — |
| Producers and Directors | $50,430 | $24.25 |
| Interpreters and Translators | $52,200 | $25.09 |
| Photographer | $36,060 | $17.34 |
| Technical Writer | $77,640 | $37.33 |
| News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists | $49,450 | $23.77 |
| Audio and Video Technicians | $57,580 | $27.68 |
| Editor | $67,530 | $32.46 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Columbia, SC
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 Columbia, SC?
The median salary for graphic designers in the Columbia, SC metro area is $55,690 a year, or $26.77 an hour. Pay ranges from $37,210 for the lowest-paid 10% to $86,240 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid graphic designers make in Columbia, SC?
The top 10% of graphic designers in the Columbia, SC metro area earn at least $86,240 a year. The top 25% earn $65,630 or more.
What is the starting pay for graphic designers in Columbia, SC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $37,210 a year, and a quarter of graphic designers earn $45,630 or less.
How many graphic designers work in Columbia, SC?
About 320 graphic designers are employed in the Columbia, SC metro area, not counting the self-employed.