Graphic Designer Salary in Philadelphia, PA: $65,210 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time graphic designer in Philadelphia, PA earns a median $65,210/year (≈ $31.35/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 27-1024). Once you factor in Philadelphia's price level (3% above national, BEA RPP 102.6), that paycheck buys what $63,586 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 14.8% above the Pennsylvania state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Philadelphia, graphic designers earn a median annual salary of $65,210, slightly above the national figure of $65,075, based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026. With salaries ranging from $46,109 at the low end to $105,572 for top earners, the city’s design market provides solid opportunities across various employment settings. Those who choose agency roles often confront a different salary structure compared to their in-house counterparts. While agencies may offer lower base pay initially, they usually present a broader scope of projects and heightened growth potential, which can lead to faster salary increases and elevated creative roles, such as creative director positions. As the design industry continues to grow in Philadelphia, job seekers can find a range of salaries depending on their skill sets and the type of employers they pursue.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $46,109 | $22.17 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $52,631 | $25.30 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $65,210 | $31.35 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $84,063 | $40.41 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $105,572 | $50.76 |
Median Salary Position
0.21% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Philadelphia
In Philadelphia, PA, the graphic designer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $59,463 (2026 est.). At $65,210, the local median is 0.21% above the national median of $65,075.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Philadelphia: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Philadelphia Graphic Designer Pay Compares
Philadelphia median: $65,210/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Philadelphia Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania Average | $56,803 | +14.80% more |
| National Average | $65,075 | +0.21% more |
Graphic Designers in Philadelphia, PA earn a median of $65,210 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.21% higher than the national median of $65,075 and 14.80% above the Pennsylvania state average of $56,803.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Philadelphia has a cost of living 2.55% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Philadelphia, PA has a cost-of-living index of 102.554 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $65,210 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $63,586 — a 2.49% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$55,740
2025 BLS Actual
$63,090
2026 Current Est.
$65,210
2019–2027 Growth
+20.9%
Salary Trajectory for Graphic Designers in Philadelphia (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.36% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $55,740 | Actual |
| 2020 | $58,600 | Actual |
| 2021 | $60,360 | Actual |
| 2022 | $59,190 | Actual |
| 2023 | $59,640 | Actual |
| 2024 | $61,190 | Actual |
| 2025 | $63,090 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $65,210 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $67,401 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Philadelphia metropolitan area, the median graphic designer salary grew 13.2% from $55,740 (2019) to $63,090 (2025). At a 3.36% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $67,401 by 2027 — a total increase of $11,661 (20.92%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Philadelphia metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 3.36% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $46,109 – $52,631 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $52,631 – $65,210 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $65,210 – $84,063 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $84,063 – $105,572 |
salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual graphic designer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Graphic Designer Job Market in Philadelphia
Within Philadelphia’s job market, 3,360 graphic designers are presently employed, which reflects a vibrant creative scene despite the cost of living index sitting at 102.554, slightly above the national average. This higher cost can impact take-home pay and purchasing power, particularly for those at the beginning of their careers. Companies in sectors like finance and consumer packaged goods tend to offer the highest salaries, including major employers known for in-house corporate marketing teams, while top advertising agencies also boast competitive pay. Factors driving the disparity in salaries include specialization areas, such as motion graphics or brand identity, where advanced skills command higher rates, as well as differences between agency and corporate tiers. Freelancers must navigate a commoditized market at the entry level but can significantly boost their earnings through strategic project selection and by leveraging strong portfolios. As job seekers aim to maximize their graphic designer pay in Philadelphia, focusing on high-demand specialties and gaining experience at respected agencies can present substantial long-term financial advantages.
More salary data for Philadelphia, PA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Jordan Lee, MFA
Career Analyst
Jordan Lee has 10 years of experience in graphic design. They specialize in branding and visual identity. Their work includes freelance projects for small businesses.
Methodology & Data Source
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $63,090 for graphic designersin the Philadelphia metropolitan area. A 3.36% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.36%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for graphic designers (SOC 27-1024).
Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, MFA, a licensed graphic designer with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov