Graphic Designer Salary in Pennsylvania: $61,769 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Pennsylvania's 25 metropolitan areas, the average median graphic designer pay sits at $61,769/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 27-1024. Because Pennsylvania sits at BEA RPP 97.4 (3% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $63,418 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Philadelphia ($63,090), Bethlehem ($61,165), Gettysburg ($60,060).
In Pennsylvania, the average median salary for graphic designers in 2026 is projected to be $61,769, which is 5.1% lower than the national median of $65,075. The highest salaries in the state are found in Philadelphia, where designers can earn about $65,210, while Johnstown offers the lowest average at $50,026, illustrating a significant gap of $15,184. This variation is driven by factors such as local demand, the concentration of advertising and design firms, and the overall economic health of each city. Pennsylvania does not have state-specific licensing requirements for graphic designers, allowing professionals to focus on building their portfolios and skill sets. However, a strong demand for innovative design solutions and digital marketing expertise continues to grow, contributing to a positive job outlook. The state is projected to see a growth rate of 3.36% in graphic design employment, indicating steady demand for skilled designers in various markets. The top five projected salary cities in 2026 are Philadelphia at $65,210, Bethlehem at $63,220, Gettysburg at $62,078, Allentown at $61,716, and Easton at $60,657. Understanding these dynamics can help aspiring designers navigate their career paths in Pennsylvania effectively.
Pennsylvania Graphic Designer Salary Range
Overall salary range in Pennsylvania: $30,491 (lowest entry-level) to $107,835 (highest top earner)
Pennsylvania vs National Average
Pennsylvania graphic designers earn 5.08% less than the national median ($-3,306/year difference).
Pennsylvania Graphic Designer Salary Distribution (2026)
Graphic Designer salaries in Pennsylvania range from $42,859 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $96,540 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $61,769. The Pennsylvania median is $3,306 below the US national median of $65,075. The average hourly rate is $29.70/hr. Approximately 6,980 graphic designers are employed across 25 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$52,002
2025 BLS Actual
$59,761
2026 Current Est.
$61,769
2019–2027 Growth
+22.8%
Salary Trajectory for Graphic Designers in Pennsylvania (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.36% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $52,002 | Actual |
| 2020 | $54,127 | Actual |
| 2021 | $54,046 | Actual |
| 2022 | $54,311 | Actual |
| 2023 | $54,409 | Actual |
| 2024 | $56,573 | Actual |
| 2025 | $59,761 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $61,769 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $63,844 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Pennsylvania metropolitan area, the median graphic designer salary grew 14.9% from $52,002 (2019) to $59,761 (2025). At a 3.36% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $63,844 by 2027 — a total increase of $11,842 (22.77%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania
Lowest Paying Cities in Pennsylvania
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Johnstown | $50,026 |
| Chambersburg | $51,546 |
| Altoona | $52,228 |
| West Chester | $53,187 |
| Williamsport | $53,447 |
Best Value Cities for Graphic Designers in Pennsylvania
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Pennsylvania cities offer the most purchasing power for graphic designers.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gettysburg | $62,078 | 95.379 | $65,086 |
| Bethlehem | $63,220 | 97.4 | $64,908 |
| Philadelphia | $65,210 | 102.554 | $63,586 |
| Pittsburgh | $59,773 | 94.671 | $63,138 |
| Erie | $56,786 | 90.95 | $62,437 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Pennsylvania
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $42,859 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $61,769 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $96,540 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Pennsylvania metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 25 Cities in Pennsylvania
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Philadelphia | $65,210 |
| 2 | Bethlehem | $63,220 |
| 3 | Gettysburg | $62,078 |
| 4 | Allentown | $61,716 |
| 5 | Easton | $60,657 |
| 6 | State College | $60,300 |
| 7 | Harrisburg | $60,104 |
| 8 | Pittsburgh | $59,773 |
| 9 | Lancaster | $57,220 |
| 10 | York | $56,827 |
| 11 | Scranton | $56,796 |
| 12 | Erie | $56,786 |
| 13 | Reading | $56,166 |
| 14 | Lebanon | $55,959 |
| 15 | Wilkes-Barre | $55,907 |
| 16 | Hazleton | $55,132 |
| 17 | Norristown | $55,026 |
| 18 | Chester | $54,898 |
| 19 | New Castle | $54,354 |
| 20 | Pottstown | $53,581 |
| 21 | Williamsport | $53,447 |
| 22 | West Chester | $53,187 |
| 23 | Altoona | $52,228 |
| 24 | Chambersburg | $51,546 |
| 25 | Johnstown | $50,026 |
More Pennsylvania Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore graphic designer hourly pay in Pennsylvania cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced graphic designers.
Compare Cities in Pennsylvania
View all comparisons →Explore More Graphic Designer Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do graphic designers make in Pennsylvania in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for graphic designers in Pennsylvania?
How does Pennsylvania graphic designer pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level graphic designer salary in Pennsylvania?
How many graphic designers are employed in Pennsylvania?
Which Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania. State averages are employment-weighted across 25 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