Graphic Designer salary in Virginia
Graphic Designers in Virginia earn a median of $72,310 a year ($34.77 an hour), based on BLS data for 4,740 workers.
Pay ranges from $39,020 for the lowest-paid 10% to $121,680 for the top 10%. That is 15% higher than the national median of $62,960. Virginia ranks 10th of 51 states for graphic designers pay. There are 1.2 graphic designers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $76,670, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for graphic designers in Virginia
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $39,020 | $18.76 |
| 25th percentile | $52,470 | $25.23 |
| Median | $72,310 | $34.77 |
| 75th percentile | $95,420 | $45.88 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $121,680 | $58.50 |
| Average (mean) | $76,670 | $36.86 |
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 | $6,025.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,012.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,781.15 |
| Weekly | $1,390.58 |
| Hourly | $34.77 |
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 Virginia
| 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 |
| 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 |
Related jobs in Virginia
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $37,750 | $18.15 |
| Interior Designer | $62,560 | $30.08 |
| Commercial and Industrial Designers | $82,230 | $39.53 |
| Floral Designer | $37,350 | $17.96 |
| Art Director | $101,150 | $48.63 |
| Special Effects Artists and Animators | $81,510 | $39.19 |
| Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators | $47,930 | $23.04 |
| Artists and Related Workers, All Other | $111,530 | $53.62 |
| Set and Exhibit Designers | $58,650 | $28.20 |
| Fashion Designer | $94,120 | $45.25 |
| Designers, All Other | $60,000 | $28.85 |
| Public Relations Specialist | $80,380 | $38.65 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $46,290 | — |
| Producers and Directors | $65,900 | $31.69 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Virginia
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 Virginia?
The median salary for graphic designers in Virginia is $72,310 a year, or $34.77 an hour. Pay ranges from $39,020 for the lowest-paid 10% to $121,680 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid graphic designers make in Virginia?
The top 10% of graphic designers in Virginia earn at least $121,680 a year. The top 25% earn $95,420 or more.
What is the starting pay for graphic designers in Virginia?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $39,020 a year, and a quarter of graphic designers earn $52,470 or less.
How many graphic designers work in Virginia?
About 4,740 graphic designers are employed in Virginia, not counting the self-employed.