Graphic Designers in Washington
Want to work as a Graphic Designers in Washington? Here’s what you need to know. 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?
The graphic designers working in Washington, the median annual wage is $76,010 per year (or roughly $36.54/hour).Pay can range 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 |
Location quotient — how concentrated this career is in Washington relative to the national average — is 1.11, meaning 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
Nationally, total employment in this occupation is 256,099 graphic designers across the United States. In Washington alone, about 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
These are the Washington metros with the most 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
These states have the highest employment of 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
These states pay the most for 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
Key graphic designers skills, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Knowledge Areas
Key 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?
Programs that train for this career include:
- 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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