Graphic Designer Salary in Salt Lake City, UT: $67,649 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time graphic designer in Salt Lake City, UT earns a median $67,649/year (≈ $32.52/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 27-1024). Once you factor in Salt Lake City's price level (1% above national, BEA RPP 100.9), that paycheck buys what $67,067 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 12.5% above the Utah state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Salt Lake City, the 2026 median graphic designer salary reaches $67,649, reflecting a competitive advantage over the national median of $65,075. Salaries in this field typically range from $46,636 at the 10th percentile to an impressive $102,120 at the 90th percentile, based on 2025 BLS OEWS data projected to 2026. The local job market is influenced by the demand for specialists in motion graphics and brand identity, which command premiums that enhance overall compensation. Salt Lake City's robust creative sector not only offers diverse job opportunities but also emphasizes the need for designers who can skillfully blend aesthetics with marketing strategies.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $46,636 | $22.42 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $53,995 | $25.95 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $67,649 | $32.52 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $83,101 | $39.95 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $102,120 | $49.10 |
Median Salary Position
3.96% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Salt Lake City
In Salt Lake City, UT, the graphic designer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $55,484 (2026 est.). At $67,649, the local median is 3.96% above the national median of $65,075.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Salt Lake City: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Salt Lake City Graphic Designer Pay Compares
Salt Lake City median: $67,649/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Salt Lake City Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Utah Average | $60,133 | +12.50% more |
| National Average | $65,075 | +3.96% more |
Graphic Designers in Salt Lake City, UT earn a median of $67,649 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.96% higher than the national median of $65,075 and 12.50% above the Utah state average of $60,133.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Salt Lake City has a cost of living 0.87% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Salt Lake City, UT has a cost-of-living index of 100.868 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $67,649 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $67,067 — a 0.86% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$48,760
2025 BLS Actual
$65,450
2026 Current Est.
$67,649
2019–2027 Growth
+43.4%
Salary Trajectory for Graphic Designers in Salt Lake City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.36% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $48,760 | Actual |
| 2020 | $49,190 | Actual |
| 2021 | $49,980 | Actual |
| 2022 | $54,910 | Actual |
| 2023 | $59,990 | Actual |
| 2024 | $60,640 | Actual |
| 2025 | $65,450 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $67,649 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $69,922 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Salt Lake City metropolitan area, the median graphic designer salary grew 34.2% from $48,760 (2019) to $65,450 (2025). At a 3.36% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $69,922 by 2027 — a total increase of $21,162 (43.40%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Salt Lake City 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $46,636 – $53,995 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $53,995 – $67,649 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $67,649 – $83,101 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $83,101 – $102,120 |
salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual graphic designer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Graphic Designer Job Market in Salt Lake City
Salt Lake City employs approximately 1,380 graphic designers, contributing to a dynamic local job market. The cost-of-living index of 100.868 indicates that while living expenses are slightly above the national average, compensation levels remain favorable for designers. In-house corporate marketing teams, particularly in sectors like banking, consumer packaged goods, and technology, tend to offer some of the highest salaries. However, leading advertising agencies such as Wieden+Kennedy and BBDO, along with digital agencies, attract top talent with enticing packages. The disparity in graphic designer pay in Salt Lake City stems from several factors; specialties such as motion graphics often yield higher salaries than general graphic design roles, and creative directors in established agencies earn significantly more than their peers. Freelance designers can enhance their earning potential by building a strong portfolio and targeting projects that prioritize quality, especially as the high-end freelance market continues to grow.
More salary data for Salt Lake City, UT:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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
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. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $65,450 for graphic designersin the Salt Lake City metropolitan area. A 3.36% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
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