Average Yearly Income for Graphic Design
Graphic designers earn a mean annual wage of $47,820, as of May 2009, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Upon a closer look, the graphic design profession can be broken down by job title, region and industry with a wide range of variance in average yearly income. Training and experience are also factors affecting the earning power of graphic designers.
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Training and Experience
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Graphic design uses words, images and color. Graphic designers work with words, images, color and texture to craft messages for clients and employers on projects from traditional printed items to animated websites. Most graphic designers have a bachelor's degree. A portfolio of sample work is required to be hired. Graphic designers become eligible for advancement after one to three years experience in the field, with the highest pay going to lead designers, art directors and other supervisory positions.
Regional Variance
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Yearly annual wages for graphic designers vary by state and metropolitan area, with the highest average pay in the San Francisco region at $74,660, as of May 2009, according to the BLS. The San Jose area pays well, with an average income of $68,810, helping make California one of the top-paying states for graphic designers with a mean annual income of $57,180. Other markets with top pay are Washington, D.C., at $68,110 and Bridgeport, Connecticut at $67,610. Bismarck, North Dakota, has a lower annual income for graphic designers at $34,720, but many smaller markets such as Bismarck have a lower cost of living.
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By Industry
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The highest annual mean wage category by industry is earned by graphic designers in the federal executive branch at $74,030, according to the BLS. Workers in specialized graphic design services make an average annual income of $50,280. Traditional print designers of books, newspapers and printed items earn an average of $41,600, lower than the national average. The BLS cites graphic designers with web design experience as those best poised for the future of the profession.
Self-Employment
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Many graphic designers are freelancers. These self-employed designers set their own rates and bill clients themselves. The Graphic Artists Guild (GAG) publishes a handbook with pricing and ethical guidelines. It lists detailed price information for a range of graphic design projects in various regional markets. Boilerplate contracts and invoices are also found in the handbook. Nonmembers may purchase the handbook for $39.99, as of 2009.
Beyond the BLS
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While the BLS figures for annual yearly income for the graphic design profession are authoritative, there are other sources providing different figures. Simply Hired cites $51,000 as the average graphic design salary. Training Sessions publishes annual income figures for multiple job titles and geographic areas.
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References
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