Designer Salary in 2026
How Much Do Designers Make?
Designers earn a median annual salary of $66,220 as of 2026, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data. Wages span from $36,530 at the 10th percentile to $131,950 at the 90th percentile — a range of $95,420. The highest-paying state is Illinois at $98,340.
| Percentile | Annual salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $36,530 |
| 25th percentile | $46,850 |
| Median (50th) | $66,220 |
| 75th percentile | $95,330 |
| 90th percentile | $131,950 |
Designer Salary by State
Median annual salary across all 50 states. Click a column to sort.
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Illinoistop | $98,340 |
| Minnesota | $84,340 |
| South Carolina | $82,630 |
| Hawaii | $81,490 |
| Virginia | $81,380 |
| California | $80,300 |
| New York | $78,130 |
| Iowa | $73,950 |
| Georgia | $70,570 |
| Nevada | $69,200 |
| Pennsylvania | $68,080 |
| Maryland | $65,280 |
| Rhode Island | $64,770 |
| Oregon | $64,550 |
| Louisiana | $64,040 |
| Utah | $63,770 |
| Michigan | $58,860 |
| Wisconsin | $57,980 |
| New Jersey | $55,990 |
| Arkansas | $54,810 |
| Kentucky | $52,720 |
| Washington | $50,520 |
| Florida | $50,230 |
| North Carolina | $49,920 |
| Tennessee | $49,450 |
| Colorado | $47,150 |
| Montana | $43,860 |
| Texas | $39,520 |
| Ohio | $34,660 |
Highest-Paying Metros for Designers
Designer Salary by Experience
Estimated salary ranges derived from BLS wage percentiles. Entry level corresponds to P10–P25, mid-career to the median, experienced to P75, and senior to P90+.
| Experience level | Estimated salary |
|---|---|
| Entry level (0–2 yrs) | ~$36,530 – $46,850 |
| Mid career (3–7 yrs) | ~$66,220 |
| Experienced (8–15 yrs) | ~$95,330 |
| Senior (15+ yrs) | $131,950+ |
How to Earn More as a Designer
Location is the single biggest salary lever: Designers in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA earn $103,770 — $37,550 above the national median. Earning an additional certification or completing a bachelor's degree can push your salary from the median toward the 75th percentile. Reaching the 75th percentile ($95,330) typically requires 5–10 years of experience plus specialization in a high-demand area.
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SOC: 27-1029.00 · Data: BLS OEWS 2026, O*NET 29.1 · Salary figures are national medians unless otherwise noted.