Graphic Designer Salary in Colorado: $71,218 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Colorado's 33 metropolitan areas, the average median graphic designer pay sits at $71,218/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 27-1024. Because Colorado sits at BEA RPP 105.0 (5% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $67,827 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Centennial ($73,164), Denver ($72,500), Aurora ($70,908).
In Colorado, the average median salary for graphic designers in 2026 is projected to be $71,218, which is 9.4% higher than the national median of $65,075. This illustrates a favorable economic landscape for designers in the state. The highest-paying city is Centennial at $75,622, while Grand Junction offers the lowest salary at $53,272, highlighting a significant difference of $22,350. Factors such as cost of living, demand for creative services in urban versus rural areas, and local economic conditions drive this disparity. Graphic designers in Colorado benefit from a relatively straightforward licensing process, as the state does not have specific licensing requirements for the profession. However, staying updated on the latest design software and trends is essential for securing employment. The projected annual growth rate for graphic design jobs in Colorado is 3.36%, reflecting steady demand in sectors such as marketing, advertising, and web development. Overall, with a total of 4,189 graphic designers employed across 33 metro areas, the job market appears solid, particularly in cities like Denver, Aurora, and Boulder, where salaries are also above the state average.
Colorado Graphic Designer Salary Range
Overall salary range in Colorado: $37,613 (lowest entry-level) to $128,611 (highest top earner)
Colorado vs National Average
Colorado graphic designers earn 9.44% more than the national median (+$6,143/year difference).
Colorado Graphic Designer Salary Distribution (2026)
Graphic Designer salaries in Colorado range from $47,913 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $122,453 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $71,218. The Colorado median is $6,143 above the US national median of $65,075. The average hourly rate is $34.24/hr. Approximately 4,189 graphic designers are employed across 33 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$55,731
2025 BLS Actual
$68,903
2026 Current Est.
$71,218
2019–2027 Growth
+32.1%
Salary Trajectory for Graphic Designers in Colorado (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.36% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $55,731 | Actual |
| 2020 | $55,999 | Actual |
| 2021 | $58,698 | Actual |
| 2022 | $60,092 | Actual |
| 2023 | $62,650 | Actual |
| 2024 | $70,210 | Actual |
| 2025 | $68,903 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $71,218 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $73,611 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Colorado metropolitan area, the median graphic designer salary grew 23.6% from $55,731 (2019) to $68,903 (2025). At a 3.36% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $73,611 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,880 (32.08%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Colorado 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Colorado
Lowest Paying Cities in Colorado
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Grand Junction | $53,272 |
| Pueblo | $58,636 |
| Golden | $59,040 |
| Evans | $59,406 |
| Louisville | $59,753 |
Best Value Cities for Graphic Designers in Colorado
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Colorado cities offer the most purchasing power for graphic designers.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Centennial | $75,622 | 105 | $72,021 |
| Denver | $74,936 | 105.782 | $70,840 |
| Aurora | $73,291 | 105 | $69,801 |
| Greeley | $66,812 | 100.176 | $66,695 |
| Boulder | $69,954 | 105.202 | $66,495 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Colorado
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $47,913 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $71,218 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $122,453 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Colorado metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 33 Cities in Colorado
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Centennial | $75,622 |
| 2 | Denver | $74,936 |
| 3 | Aurora | $73,291 |
| 4 | Boulder | $69,954 |
| 5 | Greeley | $66,812 |
| 6 | Arvada | $65,681 |
| 7 | Thornton | $65,152 |
| 8 | Westminster | $64,504 |
| 9 | Lakewood | $64,193 |
| 10 | Fort Collins | $64,145 |
| 11 | Parker | $63,583 |
| 12 | Erie | $63,468 |
| 13 | Windsor | $63,308 |
| 14 | Castle Rock | $63,186 |
| 15 | Broomfield | $63,166 |
| 16 | Longmont | $63,146 |
| 17 | Colorado Springs | $62,833 |
| 18 | Englewood | $62,661 |
| 19 | Loveland | $62,608 |
| 20 | Commerce City | $62,226 |
| 21 | Lafayette | $62,079 |
| 22 | Wheat Ridge | $61,720 |
| 23 | Brighton | $61,144 |
| 24 | Littleton | $60,939 |
| 25 | Fountain | $60,904 |
| 26 | Northglenn | $60,845 |
| 27 | Steamboat Springs | $60,487 |
| 28 | Durango | $60,106 |
| 29 | Louisville | $59,753 |
| 30 | Evans | $59,406 |
| 31 | Golden | $59,040 |
| 32 | Pueblo | $58,636 |
| 33 | Grand Junction | $53,272 |
More Colorado Salary Data
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced graphic designers.
Compare Cities in Colorado
View all comparisons →Explore More Graphic Designer Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do graphic designers make in Colorado in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for graphic designers in Colorado?
How does Colorado graphic designer pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level graphic designer salary in Colorado?
How many graphic designers are employed in Colorado?
Which Colorado city offers the best value for graphic designers?
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
Statewide 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. A 3.36% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 graphic designer compensation across Colorado. State averages are employment-weighted across 33 metro areas — larger metro areas with more graphic designerscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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