Graphic Designers Salary in Columbia, SC

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Columbia, SC

Median annual salary $49,730 -18.9% vs national
Median hourly $23.91
10th percentile $33,970
90th percentile $81,550
Employed locally 310
National median $61,300

Compare Graphic Designers salary & buying power

Type a city below to see how Columbia, SC stacks up on salary and cost of living.

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Graphic Designers
in
Columbia, SC
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $33,970
    25th
    $39,420
    50th (median)
    $49,730
    75th
    $62,200
    90th
    $81,550

    Columbia economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.00% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $66,146 2023 • Census ACS
    Graphic Designers salary vs area income 75% Median Graphic Designers salary is 25% 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 Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $89,490
    Charleston-North Charleston, SC $62,080
    Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY $59,770
    Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC $59,420
    Wisconsin $58,380
    Florence, SC $57,000

    Related occupations in Columbia, SC

    OccupationMedian salary
    Public Relations Specialists $60,550
    Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers $35,140
    Coaches and Scouts $48,350
    Producers and Directors $47,650
    Photographers $34,220
    Interpreters and Translators $47,060

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Graphic Designers make per hour in Columbia?

    The median hourly wage for Graphic Designers in Columbia, SC is $23.91, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $41.46 or more per hour.

    Is Columbia above or below average for Graphic Designers salaries?

    The median Graphic Designers salary in Columbia, SC is 18.9% 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 Columbia?

    Entry-level Graphic Designers (10th percentile) earn around $33,970 per year in Columbia, SC. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $39,420.