Graphic Designers Salary in Durham, NC

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Durham-Chapel Hill, NC

Median annual salary $60,310 -1.6% vs national
Median hourly $29.00
10th percentile $37,960
90th percentile $97,810
Employed locally 450
National median $61,300

Compare Graphic Designers salary & buying power

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

Full tool →
Graphic Designers
in
Durham, NC
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $37,960
    25th
    $45,580
    50th (median)
    $60,310
    75th
    $74,600
    90th
    $97,810

    Durham economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.20% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $81,017 2023 • Census ACS
    Graphic Designers salary vs area income 74% Median Graphic Designers salary is 26% 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
    Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA $68,710
    Providence-Warwick, RI-MA $63,880
    Trenton-Princeton, NJ $63,030
    Winchester, VA-WV $61,020
    Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC $60,780

    Related occupations in Durham, NC

    OccupationMedian salary
    Public Relations Specialists$65,860
    Coaches and Scouts$58,810
    Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers$33,450
    Technical Writers$100,660
    Editors$80,820
    Producers and Directors$73,090

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Graphic Designers make per hour in Durham?

    The median hourly wage for Graphic Designers in Durham, NC is $29.00, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $47.75 or more per hour.

    Is Durham above or below average for Graphic Designers salaries?

    The median Graphic Designers salary in Durham, NC is 1.6% 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 Durham?

    Entry-level Graphic Designers (10th percentile) earn around $37,960 per year in Durham, NC. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $45,580.