Graphic Designer salary in Pittsburgh, PA
Graphic Designers in the Pittsburgh, PA metro area earn a median of $57,830 a year ($27.81 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,200 workers.
Pay ranges from $40,970 for the lowest-paid 10% to $86,680 for the top 10%. That is 8% lower than the national median of $62,960. Pay here is 5% lower than the Pennsylvania statewide median of $60,730. There are 1.1 graphic designers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $61,000, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for graphic designers in Pittsburgh, PA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $40,970 | $19.70 |
| 25th percentile | $46,540 | $22.38 |
| Median | $57,830 | $27.81 |
| 75th percentile | $70,710 | $33.99 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $86,680 | $41.67 |
| Average (mean) | $61,000 | $29.33 |
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 | $4,819.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,409.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,224.23 |
| Weekly | $1,112.12 |
| Hourly | $27.81 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $63,090 | 3,360 |
| Gettysburg, PA | $60,060 | 30 |
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ | $59,710 | 410 |
| State College, PA | $58,340 | 80 |
| Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA | $58,150 | 400 |
| Lancaster, PA | $55,360 | 350 |
| York-Hanover, PA | $54,980 | 230 |
| Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA | $54,950 | 250 |
| Erie, PA | $54,940 | 120 |
| Reading, PA | $54,340 | 230 |
| Lebanon, PA | $54,140 | 60 |
| Williamsport, PA | $51,710 | 60 |
| Altoona, PA | $50,530 | 50 |
| Chambersburg, PA | $49,870 | 50 |
| Johnstown, PA | $48,400 | 30 |
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 Pennsylvania statewide figures.
Related jobs in Pittsburgh, PA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $40,750 | $19.59 |
| Interior Designer | $60,380 | $29.03 |
| Floral Designer | $36,070 | $17.34 |
| Art Director | $96,420 | $46.36 |
| Commercial and Industrial Designers | $84,760 | $40.75 |
| Fashion Designer | $53,950 | $25.94 |
| Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators | $44,130 | $21.22 |
| Special Effects Artists and Animators | $69,300 | $33.32 |
| Public Relations Specialist | $55,910 | $26.88 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $47,050 | — |
| Audio and Video Technicians | $50,500 | $24.28 |
| Producers and Directors | $65,640 | $31.56 |
| Editor | $62,710 | $30.15 |
| Photographer | $42,530 | $20.45 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Pittsburgh, PA
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 Pittsburgh, PA?
The median salary for graphic designers in the Pittsburgh, PA metro area is $57,830 a year, or $27.81 an hour. Pay ranges from $40,970 for the lowest-paid 10% to $86,680 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid graphic designers make in Pittsburgh, PA?
The top 10% of graphic designers in the Pittsburgh, PA metro area earn at least $86,680 a year. The top 25% earn $70,710 or more.
What is the starting pay for graphic designers in Pittsburgh, PA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $40,970 a year, and a quarter of graphic designers earn $46,540 or less.
How many graphic designers work in Pittsburgh, PA?
About 1,200 graphic designers are employed in the Pittsburgh, PA metro area, not counting the self-employed.