Graphic Designer salary in Iowa
Graphic Designers in Iowa earn a median of $50,310 a year ($24.19 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,100 workers.
Pay ranges from $36,970 for the lowest-paid 10% to $75,510 for the top 10%. That is 20% lower than the national median of $62,960. Iowa ranks 45th of 51 states for graphic designers pay. There are 1.3 graphic designers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $54,820, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for graphic designers in Iowa
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,970 | $17.77 |
| 25th percentile | $44,610 | $21.45 |
| Median | $50,310 | $24.19 |
| 75th percentile | $63,640 | $30.60 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $75,510 | $36.30 |
| Average (mean) | $54,820 | $26.36 |
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 | $4,192.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,096.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,935 |
| Weekly | $967.50 |
| Hourly | $24.19 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Graphic Designer salary in cities in Iowa
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $58,520 | 200 |
| Omaha, NE-IA | $58,020 | 1,020 |
| Ames, IA | $57,060 | 110 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $56,520 | 740 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $52,500 | 170 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $51,060 | 110 |
| Iowa City, IA | $49,350 | 110 |
| Dubuque, IA | $48,620 | 120 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $47,270 | 60 |
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 |
Related jobs in Iowa
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $39,680 | $19.08 |
| Interior Designer | $58,040 | $27.90 |
| Commercial and Industrial Designers | $70,420 | $33.85 |
| Floral Designer | $35,340 | $16.99 |
| Art Director | $80,940 | $38.92 |
| Artists and Related Workers, All Other | $39,550 | $19.01 |
| Set and Exhibit Designers | $50,640 | $24.35 |
| Special Effects Artists and Animators | $47,530 | $22.85 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $49,350 | — |
| Public Relations Specialist | $62,970 | $30.27 |
| Editor | $57,200 | $27.50 |
| Producers and Directors | $58,550 | $28.15 |
| Technical Writer | $66,520 | $31.98 |
| News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists | $43,540 | $20.93 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Iowa
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 Iowa?
The median salary for graphic designers in Iowa is $50,310 a year, or $24.19 an hour. Pay ranges from $36,970 for the lowest-paid 10% to $75,510 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid graphic designers make in Iowa?
The top 10% of graphic designers in Iowa earn at least $75,510 a year. The top 25% earn $63,640 or more.
What is the starting pay for graphic designers in Iowa?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $36,970 a year, and a quarter of graphic designers earn $44,610 or less.
How many graphic designers work in Iowa?
About 2,100 graphic designers are employed in Iowa, not counting the self-employed.