Graphic Designer salary in Richmond, VA
Graphic Designers in the Richmond, VA metro area earn a median of $66,350 a year ($31.90 an hour), based on BLS data for 760 workers.
Pay ranges from $39,220 for the lowest-paid 10% to $106,140 for the top 10%. That is 5% higher than the national median of $62,960. Pay here is 8% lower than the Virginia statewide median of $72,310. There are 1.1 graphic designers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $70,860, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for graphic designers in Richmond, VA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $39,220 | $18.86 |
| 25th percentile | $50,640 | $24.35 |
| Median | $66,350 | $31.90 |
| 75th percentile | $81,470 | $39.17 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $106,140 | $51.03 |
| Average (mean) | $70,860 | $34.07 |
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 | $5,529.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,764.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,551.92 |
| Weekly | $1,275.96 |
| Hourly | $31.90 |
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 |
| Winchester, VA-WV | $62,450 | 60 |
| Charlottesville, VA | $61,700 | 160 |
| 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 Richmond, VA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $38,630 | $18.57 |
| Interior Designer | $58,790 | $28.27 |
| Art Director | $99,610 | $47.89 |
| Commercial and Industrial Designers | $89,360 | $42.96 |
| Floral Designer | $37,460 | $18.01 |
| Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators | $62,000 | $29.81 |
| Set and Exhibit Designers | $51,840 | $24.92 |
| Special Effects Artists and Animators | $76,380 | $36.72 |
| Public Relations Specialist | $75,730 | $36.41 |
| Producers and Directors | $59,990 | $28.84 |
| Audio and Video Technicians | $55,490 | $26.68 |
| Editor | $70,380 | $33.84 |
| Photographer | $46,420 | $22.32 |
| Writers and Authors | $74,300 | $35.72 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Richmond, 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 Richmond, VA?
The median salary for graphic designers in the Richmond, VA metro area is $66,350 a year, or $31.90 an hour. Pay ranges from $39,220 for the lowest-paid 10% to $106,140 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid graphic designers make in Richmond, VA?
The top 10% of graphic designers in the Richmond, VA metro area earn at least $106,140 a year. The top 25% earn $81,470 or more.
What is the starting pay for graphic designers in Richmond, VA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $39,220 a year, and a quarter of graphic designers earn $50,640 or less.
How many graphic designers work in Richmond, VA?
About 760 graphic designers are employed in the Richmond, VA metro area, not counting the self-employed.