Graphic Designer salary in New York
Graphic Designers in New York earn a median of $77,340 a year ($37.19 an hour), based on BLS data for 14,530 workers.
Pay ranges from $43,680 for the lowest-paid 10% to $131,250 for the top 10%. That is 23% higher than the national median of $62,960. New York ranks 3rd of 51 states for graphic designers pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 1.5 graphic designers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $82,410, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for graphic designers in New York
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $43,680 | $21.00 |
| 25th percentile | $58,610 | $28.18 |
| Median | $77,340 | $37.19 |
| 75th percentile | $100,370 | $48.25 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $131,250 | $63.10 |
| Average (mean) | $82,410 | $39.62 |
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 | $6,445 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,222.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,974.62 |
| Weekly | $1,487.31 |
| Hourly | $37.19 |
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 New York
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $79,280 | 15,160 |
| Kiryas Joel-Poughkeepsie-Newburgh, NY | $63,560 | 250 |
| Rochester, NY | $63,530 | 650 |
| Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY | $63,200 | 450 |
| Kingston, NY | $61,410 | 70 |
| Ithaca, NY | $61,250 | 40 |
| Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY | $60,000 | 540 |
| Utica-Rome, NY | $58,550 | 120 |
| Glens Falls, NY | $56,540 | 50 |
| Binghamton, NY | $53,460 | 100 |
| Syracuse, NY | $52,390 | 290 |
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 New York
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $43,660 | $20.99 |
| Art Director | $137,320 | $66.02 |
| Fashion Designer | $98,640 | $47.42 |
| Interior Designer | $75,580 | $36.34 |
| Commercial and Industrial Designers | $89,640 | $43.10 |
| Floral Designer | $45,260 | $21.76 |
| Special Effects Artists and Animators | $96,770 | $46.52 |
| Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators | $78,870 | $37.92 |
| Designers, All Other | $86,030 | $41.36 |
| Craft Artist | $49,020 | $23.57 |
| Public Relations Specialist | $81,250 | $39.06 |
| Producers and Directors | $107,550 | $51.71 |
| Editor | $101,480 | $48.79 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $59,920 | — |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in New York
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 New York?
The median salary for graphic designers in New York is $77,340 a year, or $37.19 an hour. Pay ranges from $43,680 for the lowest-paid 10% to $131,250 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid graphic designers make in New York?
The top 10% of graphic designers in New York earn at least $131,250 a year. The top 25% earn $100,370 or more.
What is the starting pay for graphic designers in New York?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $43,680 a year, and a quarter of graphic designers earn $58,610 or less.
How many graphic designers work in New York?
About 14,530 graphic designers are employed in New York, not counting the self-employed.