Graphic Designers Salary in Buffalo, NY

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY

Median annual salary $56,850 -7.3% vs national
Median hourly $27.33
10th percentile $38,980
90th percentile $86,910
Employed locally 640
National median $61,300

Compare Graphic Designers salary & buying power

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Graphic Designers
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Buffalo, NY
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $38,980
    25th
    $48,300
    50th (median)
    $56,850
    75th
    $69,770
    90th
    $86,910

    Buffalo economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.90% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $70,572 2023 • Census ACS
    Graphic Designers salary vs area income 81% Median Graphic Designers salary is 19% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Graphic Designers

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $98,530
    District of Columbia $90,710
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $89,490
    Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $82,630
    Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV $82,360
    Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA $78,500

    Nearby metros — Graphic Designers salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $98,530
    New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ $75,850
    Rochester, NY $60,310
    Kiryas Joel-Poughkeepsie-Newburgh, NY $60,070
    Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY $59,770
    Albany, OR $59,760

    Related occupations in Buffalo, NY

    OccupationMedian salary
    Coaches and Scouts $48,440
    Public Relations Specialists $66,000
    Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers $36,320
    Audio and Video Technicians $49,210
    Producers and Directors $77,240
    Editors $63,620

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Graphic Designers make per hour in Buffalo?

    The median hourly wage for Graphic Designers in Buffalo, NY is $27.33, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $46.69 or more per hour.

    Is Buffalo above or below average for Graphic Designers salaries?

    The median Graphic Designers salary in Buffalo, NY is 7.3% below the national median of $61,300. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Graphic Designers in Buffalo?

    Entry-level Graphic Designers (10th percentile) earn around $38,980 per year in Buffalo, NY. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $48,300.