Graphic Designer salary in St. Louis, MO-IL
Graphic Designers in the St. Louis, MO-IL metro area earn a median of $61,000 a year ($29.33 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,010 workers.
Pay ranges from $39,930 for the lowest-paid 10% to $88,740 for the top 10%. That is 3% lower than the national median of $62,960. Pay here is 7% higher than the Missouri statewide median of $56,750. There are 1.5 graphic designers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $63,410, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for graphic designers in St. Louis, MO-IL
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $39,930 | $19.20 |
| 25th percentile | $48,620 | $23.38 |
| Median | $61,000 | $29.33 |
| 75th percentile | $76,560 | $36.81 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $88,740 | $42.66 |
| Average (mean) | $63,410 | $30.49 |
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 | $5,083.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,541.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,346.15 |
| Weekly | $1,173.08 |
| Hourly | $29.33 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $66,490 | 6,590 |
| Champaign-Urbana, IL | $60,200 | 150 |
| Kansas City, MO-KS | $59,990 | 1,720 |
| Bloomington, IL | $57,230 | 90 |
| Peoria, IL | $56,450 | 150 |
| Springfield, IL | $55,220 | 100 |
| Rockford, IL | $54,530 | 110 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $52,500 | 170 |
| Cape Girardeau, MO-IL | $51,180 | 40 |
| St. Joseph, MO-KS | $49,690 | 80 |
| Columbia, MO | $49,490 | 140 |
| Joplin, MO-KS | $49,440 | 80 |
| Jefferson City, MO | $48,260 | 110 |
| Decatur, IL | $48,100 | 40 |
| Springfield, MO | $47,790 | 310 |
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 Missouri statewide figures.
Related jobs in St. Louis, MO-IL
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $48,020 | $23.09 |
| Interior Designer | $61,570 | $29.60 |
| Floral Designer | $35,430 | $17.03 |
| Art Director | $101,480 | $48.79 |
| Set and Exhibit Designers | $55,730 | $26.79 |
| Commercial and Industrial Designers | $85,530 | $41.12 |
| Designers, All Other | $52,010 | $25.01 |
| Special Effects Artists and Animators | $75,820 | $36.45 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $37,970 | — |
| Public Relations Specialist | $65,170 | $31.33 |
| Audio and Video Technicians | $52,030 | $25.01 |
| Producers and Directors | $82,750 | $39.78 |
| Umpires, Referees, and Other Sports Officials | $34,360 | — |
| Photographer | $39,170 | $18.83 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in St. Louis, MO-IL
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 St. Louis, MO-IL?
The median salary for graphic designers in the St. Louis, MO-IL metro area is $61,000 a year, or $29.33 an hour. Pay ranges from $39,930 for the lowest-paid 10% to $88,740 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid graphic designers make in St. Louis, MO-IL?
The top 10% of graphic designers in the St. Louis, MO-IL metro area earn at least $88,740 a year. The top 25% earn $76,560 or more.
What is the starting pay for graphic designers in St. Louis, MO-IL?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $39,930 a year, and a quarter of graphic designers earn $48,620 or less.
How many graphic designers work in St. Louis, MO-IL?
About 2,010 graphic designers are employed in the St. Louis, MO-IL metro area, not counting the self-employed.