Graphic Designer salary in Syracuse, NY
Graphic Designers in the Syracuse, NY metro area earn a median of $52,390 a year ($25.19 an hour), based on BLS data for 290 workers.
Pay ranges from $39,380 for the lowest-paid 10% to $88,390 for the top 10%. That is 17% lower than the national median of $62,960. Pay here is 32% lower than the New York statewide median of $77,340. There are 0.97 graphic designers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.76). The average (mean) salary is $58,180, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for graphic designers in Syracuse, NY
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $39,380 | $18.93 |
| 25th percentile | $40,840 | $19.64 |
| Median | $52,390 | $25.19 |
| 75th percentile | $64,310 | $30.92 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $88,390 | $42.49 |
| Average (mean) | $58,180 | $27.97 |
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 | $4,365.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,182.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,015 |
| Weekly | $1,007.50 |
| Hourly | $25.19 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $79,280 | 15,160 |
| Kiryas Joel-Poughkeepsie-Newburgh, NY | $63,560 | 250 |
| Rochester, NY | $63,530 | 650 |
| Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY | $63,200 | 450 |
| Kingston, NY | $61,410 | 70 |
| Ithaca, NY | $61,250 | 40 |
| Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY | $60,000 | 540 |
| Utica-Rome, NY | $58,550 | 120 |
| Glens Falls, NY | $56,540 | 50 |
| Binghamton, NY | $53,460 | 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 |
See Graphic Designer pay in every state or the New York statewide figures.
Related jobs in Syracuse, NY
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $39,630 | $19.05 |
| Interior Designer | $54,470 | $26.19 |
| Art Director | $118,560 | $57.00 |
| Commercial and Industrial Designers | $81,650 | $39.26 |
| Floral Designer | $36,900 | $17.74 |
| Public Relations Specialist | $64,110 | $30.82 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $60,600 | — |
| Producers and Directors | $79,680 | $38.31 |
| Audio and Video Technicians | $61,610 | $29.62 |
| Music Directors and Composers | $140,230 | $67.42 |
| News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists | $57,060 | $27.44 |
| Photographer | $49,560 | $23.83 |
| Technical Writer | $84,520 | $40.63 |
| Editor | $69,190 | $33.27 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Syracuse, NY
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 Syracuse, NY?
The median salary for graphic designers in the Syracuse, NY metro area is $52,390 a year, or $25.19 an hour. Pay ranges from $39,380 for the lowest-paid 10% to $88,390 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid graphic designers make in Syracuse, NY?
The top 10% of graphic designers in the Syracuse, NY metro area earn at least $88,390 a year. The top 25% earn $64,310 or more.
What is the starting pay for graphic designers in Syracuse, NY?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $39,380 a year, and a quarter of graphic designers earn $40,840 or less.
How many graphic designers work in Syracuse, NY?
About 290 graphic designers are employed in the Syracuse, NY metro area, not counting the self-employed.