Graphic Designers in Washington
Thinking about a career as a Graphic Designers in Washington? Below are the key facts. Design or create graphics to meet specific commercial or promotional needs, such as packaging, displays, or logos. May use a variety of mediums to achieve artistic or decorative effects. Excludes “Web and Digital Interface Designers” (15-1255).
What do Graphic Designers Make in Washington?
For graphic designers working in Washington, the median annual wage is $76,010 per year (or roughly $36.54/hour).Annual wages span from $47,110 at the 10th percentile to $132,510 at the 90th percentile.
| Wage Statistic | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $47,110 | $22.65 |
| 25th percentile | $59,260 | $28.49 |
| Median (50th) | $76,010 | $36.54 |
| 75th percentile | $104,690 | $50.33 |
| 90th percentile | $132,510 | $63.71 |
The location quotient — a measure of how concentrated this occupation is in Washington compared to the national average — is 1.11, suggesting that graphic designers are more concentrated here than the national average.
National Wage Comparison
Nationally, graphic designers earn a median of $66,386 per year ($31.92/hour), exceeding the Washington median.
Employment Outlook
National employment for 256,099 graphic designers in the U.S.. In Washington alone, approximately 5,460 people work in this role. That’s higher than the typical state, which employs around 2,010 graphic designers.
Top Washington Metros for Graphic Designers
The largest metro-area employers of graphic designers in Washington.
| Metro Area | Number Employed | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | 3,880 | $82,630 |
| Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA | 350 | $55,780 |
| Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA | 110 | $62,760 |
| Bellingham, WA | 100 | $59,720 |
| Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA | 90 | $68,640 |
| Kennewick-Richland, WA | 90 | $70,590 |
| Mount Vernon-Anacortes, WA | 40 | $61,570 |
| Walla Walla, WA | 40 | $70,590 |
| Yakima, WA | 40 | $57,740 |
Top States for Graphic Designers Employment
View the states that employ the most graphic designers work.
| State | Number Employed |
|---|---|
| California | 28,310 |
| Texas | 19,360 |
| New York | 16,730 |
| Florida | 14,010 |
| Pennsylvania | 8,280 |
| Illinois | 7,900 |
| North Carolina | 7,210 |
| Ohio | 7,010 |
| Michigan | 5,990 |
| New Jersey | 5,870 |
| Virginia | 5,500 |
| Washington | 5,460 |
| Minnesota | 5,460 |
| Georgia | 5,410 |
| Massachusetts | 4,890 |
| Colorado | 4,720 |
| Wisconsin | 4,630 |
| Indiana | 4,480 |
| Arizona | 4,330 |
| Tennessee | 4,190 |
Highest-Paying States for Graphic Designers
Where graphic designers earn the most: graphic designers.
| State | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $90,710 |
| California | $76,440 |
| Massachusetts | $76,370 |
| Washington | $76,010 |
| New York | $74,530 |
| Virginia | $70,060 |
| New Jersey | $66,600 |
| Colorado | $66,360 |
| Maryland | $66,290 |
| Connecticut | $65,360 |
Skills
Top graphic designers skills, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Knowledge Areas
Core knowledge areas for this occupation, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Abilities
Top abilities for graphic designers, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Daily Tasks
Graphic Designers typically:
- Key information into computer equipment to create layouts for client or supervisor.
- Review final layouts and suggest improvements, as needed.
- Determine size and arrangement of illustrative material and copy, and select style and size of type.
- Develop graphics and layouts for product illustrations, company logos, and Web sites.
- Create designs, concepts, and sample layouts, based on knowledge of layout principles and esthetic design concepts.
- Use computer software to generate new images.
- Prepare digital files for printing.
- Confer with clients to discuss and determine layout design.
- Research the target audience of projects.
- Draw and print charts, graphs, illustrations, and other artwork, using computer.
- Mark up, paste, and assemble final layouts to prepare layouts for printer.
- Study illustrations and photographs to plan presentation of materials, products, or services.
Work Activities
- Thinking Creatively
- Working with Computers
- Getting Information
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems
- Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
- Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work
- Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
- Communicating with People Outside the Organization
- Providing Consultation and Advice to Others
- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
- Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others
Tools & Technology
Software and systems commonly involved: Hot technologies: Adobe Acrobat, Adobe After Effects, Adobe Creative Cloud software, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe InDesign In-demand technologies: Adobe After Effects, Adobe Creative Cloud software
What Major Will Prepare You For This Career?
Several college majors map to this occupation:
- Design & Applied Arts
- General Visual & Performing Arts
- Computer Software Applications
Featured schools near , edit
Related Careers
Related occupations to graphic designers include:
- Software Developers
- Web Developers
- Web and Digital Interface Designers
- Video Game Designers
- Art Directors
- Craft Artists
Also Known As
Ad Designer (Advertising Designer), Ad Layout Worker (Advertising Layout Worker), Apparel Graphic Designer, Artist, Brand Designer, Catalogue Illustrator, Commercial Artist, Concept Artist, Creative Designer, Design Consultant, Designer, Digital Artist, Forms Designer, Graphic Art Designer, Graphic Artist.
References
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — https://www.bls.gov/oes/
- O*NET Online — https://www.onetonline.org/
- BLS Employment Projections — https://www.bls.gov/emp/
- O*NET-SOC code: 27-1024.00
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