Published wage estimates · 148 paired metro markets · May 2025 pay
What the published data says
The BLS-linked wage data contains 148 available metropolitan observations for graphic designers after pairing occupational pay with BEA regional price levels. Among these metros, the middle metro median is $59,980. That is not the national median for workers: it is a descriptive median of metro medians and does not weight by employment.
In the listed areas, San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA has the highest reported median ($97,360), while McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, TX has the lowest ($42,170). These extremes may reflect industry composition, sample precision and small local labor markets. They are not a ranked list of the best places to move.
10 large employment markets for graphic designers
To reduce selection bias from tiny labor markets, this comparison focuses on the metro areas with the largest published occupational employment. Employment counts are rough survey estimates and can be rounded. Wage differences are not adjusted for individual taxes or housing.
| Metro area | Median annual wage | 25th–75th percentile | BEA price index |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $79,280 | $62,040–$102,060 | 112.6 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $72,400 | $53,790–$95,440 | 113.6 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $66,490 | $52,030–$83,590 | 103.6 |
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | $63,780 | $49,920–$75,940 | 103.1 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $85,420 | $66,620–$107,590 | 108.9 |
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | $62,680 | $46,820–$79,730 | 100.1 |
| Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL | $61,870 | $51,840–$84,820 | 114.2 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $92,050 | $68,680–$115,940 | 115.6 |
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $65,610 | $57,270–$81,800 | 104.8 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | $78,270 | $61,490–$98,260 | 108.3 |
Where the reported median is highest
The table below shows the five highest metro medians in this paired dataset. A high wage can coincide with expensive housing. The BEA column is a regional price-level context index (U.S. = 100), not a rental asking-price index or a personal living-cost estimator.
| Metro area | Median annual wage | 25th–75th percentile | BEA price index |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $97,360 | $73,990–$127,880 | 110.4 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $92,050 | $68,680–$115,940 | 115.6 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $85,420 | $66,620–$107,590 | 108.9 |
| Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury, CT | $81,800 | $60,660–$88,790 | 106.9 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $79,280 | $62,040–$102,060 | 112.6 |
How to use this benchmark for a real relocation
Freelance contracting, employer size and portfolio specialization vary. BLS wage estimates describe wage-and-salary employment, not what an independent designer might invoice or retain.
Start with the published median as a reference, then substitute the actual employer's written base pay in the RelocationMath calculator. Enter rent for the exact neighborhood and apartment you're considering, not a broad metro estimate. The decision changes when taxes, childcare, insurance, commuting or one-time moving bills differ.
What to check before accepting
- Compare the role's level, hours, benefits and variable compensation—not just its occupational code.
- Obtain a current lease or listing quote, including deposits and utility responsibilities.
- Model both effective tax assumptions independently; state and local rules can change the result.
- Use at least a 12-month budget and include the unreimbursed moving cost.