Graphic Designer Salary in Massachusetts: $77,775 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Massachusetts's 59 metropolitan areas, the average median graphic designer pay sits at $77,775/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 27-1024. Because Massachusetts sits at BEA RPP 108.5 (9% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $71,682 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Boston ($78,270), Newton ($77,641), Cambridge ($76,401).
The graphic design salary landscape in Massachusetts presents a favorable scenario for professionals in the field. In 2026, the average median salary for graphic designers in the state is projected to be $77,775, which is 19.5% above the national median of $65,075. Boston stands out as the highest-paying city, with salaries averaging $80,900, while Andover has the lowest at $64,845, highlighting a significant salary gap driven by factors such as the concentration of businesses, demand for design services, and cost of living differences. Massachusetts may not have stringent state licensing requirements for graphic designers, but the ever-evolving landscape requires professionals to adapt to new technologies and trends. Additionally, the demand for graphic design in the state is fueled by a robust economy, particularly in sectors like technology and education. The projected annual compound growth rate for job opportunities in this field is 3.36%, suggesting a steady increase in demand. Overall, with a total of 4,787 graphic designers employed and varied salary ranges across different cities, Massachusetts presents a compelling job market for this profession, reflecting both state-specific dynamics and broader economic conditions.
Massachusetts Graphic Designer Salary Range
Overall salary range in Massachusetts: $40,063 (lowest entry-level) to $124,388 (highest top earner)
Massachusetts vs National Average
Massachusetts graphic designers earn 19.52% more than the national median (+$12,700/year difference).
Massachusetts Graphic Designer Salary Distribution (2026)
Graphic Designer salaries in Massachusetts range from $51,209 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $115,843 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $77,775. The Massachusetts median is $12,700 above the US national median of $65,075. The average hourly rate is $37.39/hr. Approximately 4,787 graphic designers are employed across 59 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$64,158
2025 BLS Actual
$75,247
2026 Current Est.
$77,775
2019–2027 Growth
+25.3%
Salary Trajectory for Graphic Designers in Massachusetts (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.36% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $64,158 | Actual |
| 2020 | $66,011 | Actual |
| 2021 | $69,889 | Actual |
| 2022 | $70,173 | Actual |
| 2023 | $70,449 | Actual |
| 2024 | $76,061 | Actual |
| 2025 | $75,247 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $77,775 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $80,388 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Massachusetts metropolitan area, the median graphic designer salary grew 17.3% from $64,158 (2019) to $75,247 (2025). At a 3.36% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $80,388 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,230 (25.30%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Massachusetts 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 Massachusetts
Lowest Paying Cities in Massachusetts
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Andover | $64,845 |
| Leominster | $65,005 |
| Wellesley | $65,063 |
| Chelmsford | $65,100 |
| Woburn | $65,159 |
Best Value Cities for Graphic Designers in Massachusetts
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Massachusetts cities offer the most purchasing power for graphic designers.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Barnstable Town | $78,698 | 98.351 | $80,017 |
| Boston | $80,900 | 108.266 | $74,723 |
| Newton | $80,250 | 108.5 | $73,963 |
| Cambridge | $78,968 | 108.5 | $72,782 |
| Pittsfield | $67,918 | 95.106 | $71,413 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Massachusetts
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $51,209 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $77,775 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $115,843 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Massachusetts metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 59 Cities in Massachusetts
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Boston | $80,900 |
| 2 | Newton | $80,250 |
| 3 | Cambridge | $78,968 |
| 4 | Barnstable Town | $78,698 |
| 5 | Lynn | $70,342 |
| 6 | Somerville | $69,421 |
| 7 | Revere | $69,312 |
| 8 | Brockton | $69,074 |
| 9 | Worcester | $69,055 |
| 10 | New Bedford | $68,997 |
| 11 | Plymouth | $68,955 |
| 12 | Malden | $68,704 |
| 13 | Haverhill | $68,694 |
| 14 | Lowell | $68,675 |
| 15 | Framingham | $68,644 |
| 16 | Peabody | $68,552 |
| 17 | Weymouth | $68,347 |
| 18 | Chicopee | $68,140 |
| 19 | Randolph | $68,066 |
| 20 | Quincy | $67,946 |
| 21 | Pittsfield | $67,918 |
| 22 | Amherst | $67,864 |
| 23 | Chelsea | $67,859 |
| 24 | Amherst Town | $67,711 |
| 25 | Medford | $67,674 |
| 26 | Fall River | $67,609 |
| 27 | Marlborough | $67,609 |
| 28 | Watertown | $67,598 |
| 29 | Fitchburg | $67,545 |
| 30 | Methuen | $67,520 |
| 31 | Taunton | $67,490 |
| 32 | Arlington | $67,465 |
| 33 | Needham | $67,290 |
| 34 | Westfield | $67,258 |
| 35 | Everett | $67,247 |
| 36 | Holyoke | $66,902 |
| 37 | Northampton | $66,815 |
| 38 | Lawrence | $66,790 |
| 39 | Beverly | $66,790 |
| 40 | Dartmouth | $66,711 |
| 41 | Waltham | $66,643 |
| 42 | Barnstable | $66,572 |
| 43 | Brookline | $66,426 |
| 44 | Billerica | $66,323 |
| 45 | Braintree | $66,100 |
| 46 | Salem | $65,988 |
| 47 | Natick | $65,946 |
| 48 | Springfield | $65,902 |
| 49 | Dracut | $65,601 |
| 50 | Lexington | $65,557 |
| 51 | Stoughton | $65,557 |
| 52 | Shrewsbury | $65,472 |
| 53 | Franklin | $65,297 |
| 54 | Attleboro | $65,244 |
| 55 | Woburn | $65,159 |
| 56 | Chelmsford | $65,100 |
| 57 | Wellesley | $65,063 |
| 58 | Leominster | $65,005 |
| 59 | Andover | $64,845 |
More Massachusetts Salary Data
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced graphic designers.
Compare Cities in Massachusetts
View all comparisons →Explore More Graphic Designer Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do graphic designers make in Massachusetts in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for graphic designers in Massachusetts?
How does Massachusetts graphic designer pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level graphic designer salary in Massachusetts?
How many graphic designers are employed in Massachusetts?
Which Massachusetts 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 Massachusetts. State averages are employment-weighted across 59 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