Graphic Designer salary in Washington
Graphic Designers in Washington earn a median of $72,710 a year ($34.96 an hour), based on BLS data for 3,960 workers.
Pay ranges from $47,780 for the lowest-paid 10% to $115,210 for the top 10%. That is 15% higher than the national median of $62,960. Washington ranks 8th of 51 states for graphic designers pay. There are 1.1 graphic designers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $77,910, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for graphic designers in Washington
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $47,780 | $22.97 |
| 25th percentile | $57,390 | $27.59 |
| Median | $72,710 | $34.96 |
| 75th percentile | $93,490 | $44.95 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $115,210 | $55.39 |
| Average (mean) | $77,910 | $37.46 |
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 | $6,059.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,029.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,796.54 |
| Weekly | $1,398.27 |
| Hourly | $34.96 |
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 Washington
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $76,720 | 2,710 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $75,650 | 3,090 |
| Kennewick-Richland, WA | $74,520 | 90 |
| Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA | $70,420 | 80 |
| Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA | $67,710 | 110 |
| Bellingham, WA | $59,850 | 110 |
| Yakima, WA | $57,970 | 50 |
| Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA | $56,530 | 270 |
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 Washington
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $48,780 | $23.45 |
| Interior Designer | $76,570 | $36.81 |
| Special Effects Artists and Animators | $133,480 | $64.17 |
| Floral Designer | $44,460 | $21.38 |
| Art Director | $121,170 | $58.25 |
| Designers, All Other | $57,510 | $27.65 |
| Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators | $72,430 | $34.82 |
| Commercial and Industrial Designers | $94,280 | $45.33 |
| Set and Exhibit Designers | $77,230 | $37.13 |
| Craft Artist | $44,120 | $21.21 |
| Fashion Designer | $82,030 | $39.44 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $48,030 | — |
| Public Relations Specialist | $87,470 | $42.05 |
| Producers and Directors | $81,550 | $39.21 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Washington
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 Washington?
The median salary for graphic designers in Washington is $72,710 a year, or $34.96 an hour. Pay ranges from $47,780 for the lowest-paid 10% to $115,210 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid graphic designers make in Washington?
The top 10% of graphic designers in Washington earn at least $115,210 a year. The top 25% earn $93,490 or more.
What is the starting pay for graphic designers in Washington?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $47,780 a year, and a quarter of graphic designers earn $57,390 or less.
How many graphic designers work in Washington?
About 3,960 graphic designers are employed in Washington, not counting the self-employed.