Graphic Designer Salary in Virginia Beach, VA: $62,171 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time graphic designer in Virginia Beach, VA earns a median $62,171/year (≈ $29.89/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 27-1024). Once you factor in Virginia Beach's price level (2% below national, BEA RPP 97.9), that paycheck buys what $63,478 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.0% above the Virginia state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the graphic designer salary in Virginia Beach is projected to reach a median of $62,171, which is slightly below the national median of $65,075. For those working in this vibrant coastal city, compensation can vary significantly, with salaries ranging from $38,181 at the lower end to $103,598 at the higher end. These figures are derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, and reflect the evolving landscape of graphic design compensation. Virginia Beach's market accommodates both full-time employment and freelance opportunities, with freelance designers typically opting for day rates that could differ based on project complexity and client needs. This city’s graphic designer pay reflects a unique balance between stability offered by in-house roles and higher creative potential found in agency settings.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38,181 | $18.36 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $47,256 | $22.72 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $62,171 | $29.89 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $81,768 | $39.31 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $103,598 | $49.81 |
Median Salary Position
4.46% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Virginia Beach
In Virginia Beach, VA, the graphic designer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $65,417 (2026 est.). At $62,171, the local median is 4.46% below the national median of $65,075.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Virginia Beach: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Virginia Beach Graphic Designer Pay Compares
Virginia Beach median: $62,171/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Virginia Beach Pays |
|---|---|---|
| National Average | $65,075 | -4.46% less |
Graphic Designers in Virginia Beach, VA earn a median of $62,171 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.46% lower than the national median of $65,075.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Virginia Beach has a cost of living 2.06% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Virginia Beach, VA has a cost-of-living index of 97.941 (below the national average of 100). A graphic designer earning $62,171 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $63,478 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.1% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$51,470
2025 BLS Actual
$60,150
2026 Current Est.
$62,171
2019–2027 Growth
+24.8%
Salary Trajectory for Graphic Designers in Virginia Beach (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.36% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $51,470 | Actual |
| 2020 | $55,070 | Actual |
| 2021 | $49,060 | Actual |
| 2022 | $53,890 | Actual |
| 2023 | $56,010 | Actual |
| 2024 | $60,780 | Actual |
| 2025 | $60,150 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $62,171 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $64,260 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Virginia Beach metropolitan area, the median graphic designer salary grew 16.9% from $51,470 (2019) to $60,150 (2025). At a 3.36% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $64,260 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,790 (24.85%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Virginia Beach 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) | $38,181 – $47,256 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $47,256 – $62,171 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $62,171 – $81,768 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $81,768 – $103,598 |
salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual graphic designer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Graphic Designer Job Market in Virginia Beach
With approximately 570 graphic designers employed in the Virginia Beach area, the local job market reveals a promising outlook, particularly for those seeking to maximize their compensation. The cost-of-living index stands at 97.941, which is below the national average, suggesting that take-home pay can stretch further in this region. Employers across various sectors, including marketing teams within banks and CPG companies, typically offer the highest salaries, while digital agencies may attract creatives with diverse project work. The disparity in pay often hinges on specialty areas—motion graphics and brand identity tend to yield the highest earnings. For designers looking to boost their income, building a robust portfolio and considering the freelance market can enhance earning potential. Focusing on high-value projects and leveraging experience in top-tier agencies can also lead to significant pay increases over time.
More salary data for Virginia Beach, VA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Related Pages
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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 $60,150 for graphic designersin the Virginia Beach 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