Graphic Designer Salary in Ohio: $61,936 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Ohio's 67 metropolitan areas, the average median graphic designer pay sits at $61,936/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 27-1024. Because Ohio sits at BEA RPP 90.7 (9% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $68,287 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Columbus ($64,000), Cincinnati ($62,260), Beavercreek ($61,125).
In Ohio, graphic designer salaries are projected to average $61,935 in 2026, which is approximately 4.8% lower than the national median of $65,075. The salary range varies significantly across the state, with Columbus offering the highest average at $66,150, while Youngstown has the lowest at $48,755, creating a salary gap of $17,395. This disparity can be attributed to factors such as the concentration of businesses in urban areas, cost of living variations, and local demand for design services. Ohio has no specific state licensing requirements for graphic designers, but understanding regional market expectations can enhance a designer's scope of practice. As digital media continues to expand, the demand for graphic design talent is increasing, supporting a projected annual growth rate of 3.36% for the profession. The top projected salaries in other cities include Cincinnati at $64,352, Beavercreek at $63,179, Dayton at $63,081, and Kettering at $62,230. Overall, the job market for graphic designers in Ohio is stable, with a healthy outlook for growth driven by both local businesses and national trends in digital and traditional media.
Ohio Graphic Designer Salary Range
Overall salary range in Ohio: $29,992 (lowest entry-level) to $106,161 (highest top earner)
Ohio vs National Average
Ohio graphic designers earn 4.82% less than the national median ($-3,139/year difference).
Ohio Graphic Designer Salary Distribution (2026)
Graphic Designer salaries in Ohio range from $41,128 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $97,098 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $61,936. The Ohio median is $3,139 below the US national median of $65,075. The average hourly rate is $29.78/hr. Approximately 6,647 graphic designers are employed across 67 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$50,377
2025 BLS Actual
$59,922
2026 Current Est.
$61,936
2019–2027 Growth
+27.1%
Salary Trajectory for Graphic Designers in Ohio (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.36% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $50,377 | Actual |
| 2020 | $50,015 | Actual |
| 2021 | $49,490 | Actual |
| 2022 | $51,667 | Actual |
| 2023 | $52,554 | Actual |
| 2024 | $55,129 | Actual |
| 2025 | $59,922 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $61,936 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $64,017 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Ohio metropolitan area, the median graphic designer salary grew 18.9% from $50,377 (2019) to $59,922 (2025). At a 3.36% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $64,017 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,640 (27.08%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Ohio 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 Ohio
Lowest Paying Cities in Ohio
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Youngstown | $48,755 |
| Warren | $48,874 |
| Sandusky | $50,068 |
| Massillon | $51,744 |
| Toledo | $52,011 |
Best Value Cities for Graphic Designers in Ohio
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Ohio cities offer the most purchasing power for graphic designers.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beavercreek | $63,179 | 90.7 | $69,657 |
| Columbus | $66,150 | 95.469 | $69,290 |
| Kettering | $62,230 | 90.7 | $68,611 |
| Dayton | $63,081 | 92.694 | $68,053 |
| Cincinnati | $64,352 | 95.37 | $67,476 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Ohio
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $41,128 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $61,936 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $97,098 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Ohio metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 67 Cities in Ohio
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Columbus | $66,150 |
| 2 | Cincinnati | $64,352 |
| 3 | Beavercreek | $63,179 |
| 4 | Dayton | $63,081 |
| 5 | Kettering | $62,230 |
| 6 | Cleveland | $61,789 |
| 7 | Akron | $60,424 |
| 8 | Mansfield | $58,905 |
| 9 | Lorain | $57,618 |
| 10 | Parma | $57,460 |
| 11 | Cuyahoga Falls | $57,225 |
| 12 | Hamilton | $57,027 |
| 13 | Lakewood | $56,715 |
| 14 | Bowling Green | $56,640 |
| 15 | Lancaster | $56,623 |
| 16 | Zanesville | $56,618 |
| 17 | Westlake | $56,520 |
| 18 | Middletown | $56,499 |
| 19 | Grove City | $56,334 |
| 20 | Delaware | $56,291 |
| 21 | Gahanna | $56,282 |
| 22 | Westerville | $56,246 |
| 23 | Huber Heights | $56,113 |
| 24 | North Ridgeville | $56,070 |
| 25 | North Royalton | $55,990 |
| 26 | North Olmsted | $55,791 |
| 27 | Reynoldsburg | $55,693 |
| 28 | Strongsville | $55,507 |
| 29 | Brunswick | $55,162 |
| 30 | Wooster | $55,162 |
| 31 | Lima | $55,101 |
| 32 | Elyria | $55,076 |
| 33 | Shaker Heights | $54,965 |
| 34 | Medina | $54,928 |
| 35 | Dublin | $54,751 |
| 36 | Fairfield | $54,747 |
| 37 | Mentor | $54,689 |
| 38 | Mason | $54,450 |
| 39 | Avon | $54,382 |
| 40 | Marion | $54,300 |
| 41 | Stow | $54,295 |
| 42 | Newark | $54,264 |
| 43 | Findlay | $54,207 |
| 44 | Green | $54,123 |
| 45 | Barberton | $54,123 |
| 46 | Austintown | $54,101 |
| 47 | Cleveland Heights | $54,092 |
| 48 | Upper Arlington | $54,021 |
| 49 | Xenia | $54,021 |
| 50 | Hilliard | $53,955 |
| 51 | Oxford | $53,786 |
| 52 | Chillicothe | $53,671 |
| 53 | Springfield | $53,582 |
| 54 | Perrysburg | $53,473 |
| 55 | Trotwood | $53,457 |
| 56 | Athens | $52,890 |
| 57 | Tiffin | $52,595 |
| 58 | Wadsworth | $52,552 |
| 59 | Avon Lake | $52,513 |
| 60 | Canton | $52,455 |
| 61 | Centerville | $52,397 |
| 62 | Solon | $52,389 |
| 63 | Toledo | $52,011 |
| 64 | Massillon | $51,744 |
| 65 | Sandusky | $50,068 |
| 66 | Warren | $48,874 |
| 67 | Youngstown | $48,755 |
More Ohio Salary Data
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced graphic designers.
Compare Cities in Ohio
View all comparisons →Explore More Graphic Designer Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do graphic designers make in Ohio in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for graphic designers in Ohio?
How does Ohio graphic designer pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level graphic designer salary in Ohio?
How many graphic designers are employed in Ohio?
Which Ohio 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 Ohio. State averages are employment-weighted across 67 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