Graphic Designer salary in Roanoke, VA
Graphic Designers in the Roanoke, VA metro area earn a median of $60,120 a year ($28.90 an hour), based on BLS data for 150 workers.
Pay ranges from $36,640 for the lowest-paid 10% to $81,590 for the top 10%. That is 5% lower than the national median of $62,960. Pay here is 17% lower than the Virginia statewide median of $72,310. There are 1.0 graphic designers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.79). The average (mean) salary is $61,180, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for graphic designers in Roanoke, VA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,640 | $17.61 |
| 25th percentile | $47,270 | $22.73 |
| Median | $60,120 | $28.90 |
| 75th percentile | $68,950 | $33.15 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $81,590 | $39.22 |
| Average (mean) | $61,180 | $29.41 |
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 | $5,010 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,505 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,312.31 |
| Weekly | $1,156.15 |
| Hourly | $28.90 |
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 |
| Richmond, VA | $66,350 | 760 |
| Winchester, VA-WV | $62,450 | 60 |
| Charlottesville, VA | $61,700 | 160 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $60,150 | 570 |
| 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 Roanoke, VA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $40,100 | $19.28 |
| Interior Designer | $61,730 | $29.68 |
| Commercial and Industrial Designers | $71,920 | $34.58 |
| Floral Designer | $33,110 | $15.92 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $36,340 | — |
| Public Relations Specialist | $62,130 | $29.87 |
| Producers and Directors | $47,960 | $23.06 |
| Audio and Video Technicians | $40,630 | $19.54 |
| News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists | $55,820 | $26.84 |
| Photographer | $39,710 | $19.09 |
| Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys | $45,260 | $21.76 |
| Interpreters and Translators | $54,630 | $26.26 |
| Editor | $58,100 | $27.93 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Roanoke, 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 Roanoke, VA?
The median salary for graphic designers in the Roanoke, VA metro area is $60,120 a year, or $28.90 an hour. Pay ranges from $36,640 for the lowest-paid 10% to $81,590 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid graphic designers make in Roanoke, VA?
The top 10% of graphic designers in the Roanoke, VA metro area earn at least $81,590 a year. The top 25% earn $68,950 or more.
What is the starting pay for graphic designers in Roanoke, VA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $36,640 a year, and a quarter of graphic designers earn $47,270 or less.
How many graphic designers work in Roanoke, VA?
About 150 graphic designers are employed in the Roanoke, VA metro area, not counting the self-employed.