Graphic Designer Salary in Maryland: $75,180 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Maryland's 28 metropolitan areas, the average median graphic designer pay sits at $75,180/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 27-1024. Because Maryland sits at BEA RPP 109.3 (9% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $68,783 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Columbia ($77,157), Baltimore ($75,790), Towson ($75,496).
In Maryland, the average median salary for graphic designers is projected to be $75,180 in 2026, which is 15.5% higher than the national median of $65,075. The highest paying city in the state is Columbia, with an estimated salary of $79,749, while Hagerstown has the lowest at $49,272, creating a salary gap of $30,477. This disparity can be attributed to factors such as local industry demand, cost of living, and the presence of larger businesses or agencies in more urban areas. Maryland's regulatory landscape does not impose specific licensing requirements for graphic designers, but staying updated on industry standards is essential. The demand for graphic designers is driven by ongoing growth across various sectors, particularly in technology and marketing, with a projected annual growth rate of 3.36% for the profession. With a total of 1,823 graphic designers employed across 28 metro areas, opportunities in cities like Baltimore ($78,337), Towson ($78,033), Aspen Hill ($72,114), and Gaithersburg ($71,647) highlight the diverse job market within the state. As businesses continue to prioritize branding and digital communications, the outlook for graphic designers remains positive in Maryland.
Maryland Graphic Designer Salary Range
Overall salary range in Maryland: $37,892 (lowest entry-level) to $123,611 (highest top earner)
Maryland vs National Average
Maryland graphic designers earn 15.53% more than the national median (+$10,105/year difference).
Maryland Graphic Designer Salary Distribution (2026)
Graphic Designer salaries in Maryland range from $46,378 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $109,010 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $75,180. The Maryland median is $10,105 above the US national median of $65,075. The average hourly rate is $36.15/hr. Approximately 1,823 graphic designers are employed across 28 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$50,269
2025 BLS Actual
$72,736
2026 Current Est.
$75,180
2019–2027 Growth
+54.6%
Salary Trajectory for Graphic Designers in Maryland (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.36% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $50,269 | Actual |
| 2020 | $53,665 | Actual |
| 2021 | $58,230 | Actual |
| 2022 | $59,412 | Actual |
| 2023 | $58,802 | Actual |
| 2024 | $65,900 | Actual |
| 2025 | $72,736 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $75,180 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $77,706 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Maryland metropolitan area, the median graphic designer salary grew 44.7% from $50,269 (2019) to $72,736 (2025). At a 3.36% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $77,706 by 2027 — a total increase of $27,437 (54.58%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Maryland 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 Maryland
Lowest Paying Cities in Maryland
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Hagerstown | $49,272 |
| Salisbury | $64,032 |
| Cumberland | $65,835 |
| Greenbelt | $67,343 |
| Laurel | $67,566 |
Best Value Cities for Graphic Designers in Maryland
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Maryland cities offer the most purchasing power for graphic designers.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baltimore | $78,337 | 104.487 | $74,973 |
| Columbia | $79,749 | 109.3 | $72,963 |
| Towson | $78,033 | 109.3 | $71,393 |
| Lexington Park | $69,840 | 100.76 | $69,313 |
| Salisbury | $64,032 | 95.617 | $66,967 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Maryland
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $46,378 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $75,180 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $109,010 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Maryland metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 28 Cities in Maryland
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Columbia | $79,749 |
| 2 | Baltimore | $78,337 |
| 3 | Towson | $78,033 |
| 4 | Aspen Hill | $72,114 |
| 5 | Gaithersburg | $71,647 |
| 6 | Germantown | $71,596 |
| 7 | Ellicott City | $71,433 |
| 8 | Waldorf | $71,360 |
| 9 | Wheaton | $71,117 |
| 10 | Bowie | $70,779 |
| 11 | Glen Burnie | $70,560 |
| 12 | Lexington Park | $69,840 |
| 13 | Frederick | $69,585 |
| 14 | Annapolis | $69,571 |
| 15 | Severn | $69,569 |
| 16 | College Park | $69,432 |
| 17 | Rockville | $69,343 |
| 18 | Silver Spring | $69,309 |
| 19 | Potomac | $68,979 |
| 20 | Bethesda | $68,700 |
| 21 | Dundalk | $68,700 |
| 22 | Odenton | $68,467 |
| 23 | Catonsville | $67,909 |
| 24 | Laurel | $67,566 |
| 25 | Greenbelt | $67,343 |
| 26 | Cumberland | $65,835 |
| 27 | Salisbury | $64,032 |
| 28 | Hagerstown | $49,272 |
More Maryland Salary Data
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced graphic designers.
Explore More Graphic Designer Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do graphic designers make in Maryland in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for graphic designers in Maryland?
How does Maryland graphic designer pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level graphic designer salary in Maryland?
How many graphic designers are employed in Maryland?
Which Maryland 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 Maryland. State averages are employment-weighted across 28 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