Graphic Designer salary in South Carolina
Graphic Designers in South Carolina earn a median of $57,170 a year ($27.49 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,930 workers.
Pay ranges from $37,190 for the lowest-paid 10% to $90,000 for the top 10%. That is 9% lower than the national median of $62,960. South Carolina ranks 33rd of 51 states for graphic designers pay. There are 0.84 graphic designers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.66). The average (mean) salary is $60,610, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for graphic designers in South Carolina
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $37,190 | $17.88 |
| 25th percentile | $44,740 | $21.51 |
| Median | $57,170 | $27.49 |
| 75th percentile | $72,530 | $34.87 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $90,000 | $43.27 |
| Average (mean) | $60,610 | $29.14 |
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 | $4,764.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,382.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,198.85 |
| Weekly | $1,099.42 |
| Hourly | $27.49 |
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 South Carolina
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Charleston-North Charleston, SC | $61,450 | 320 |
| Florence, SC | $60,640 | 40 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $59,810 | 1,640 |
| Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Port Royal, SC | $58,670 | 40 |
| Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC | $58,500 | 490 |
| Columbia, SC | $55,690 | 320 |
| Spartanburg, SC | $53,280 | 90 |
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $52,880 | 190 |
| Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC | $50,290 | 100 |
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 South Carolina
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $36,810 | $17.70 |
| Interior Designer | $63,790 | $30.67 |
| Commercial and Industrial Designers | $77,300 | $37.16 |
| Art Director | $87,990 | $42.30 |
| Floral Designer | $32,000 | $15.38 |
| Craft Artist | $35,050 | $16.85 |
| Designers, All Other | $83,980 | $40.37 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $42,950 | — |
| Public Relations Specialist | $62,730 | $30.16 |
| Producers and Directors | $56,030 | $26.94 |
| Technical Writer | $82,540 | $39.68 |
| Photographer | $37,890 | $18.22 |
| Interpreters and Translators | $50,860 | $24.45 |
| Writers and Authors | $51,920 | $24.96 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in South Carolina
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 South Carolina?
The median salary for graphic designers in South Carolina is $57,170 a year, or $27.49 an hour. Pay ranges from $37,190 for the lowest-paid 10% to $90,000 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid graphic designers make in South Carolina?
The top 10% of graphic designers in South Carolina earn at least $90,000 a year. The top 25% earn $72,530 or more.
What is the starting pay for graphic designers in South Carolina?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $37,190 a year, and a quarter of graphic designers earn $44,740 or less.
How many graphic designers work in South Carolina?
About 1,930 graphic designers are employed in South Carolina, not counting the self-employed.