Graphic Designer Salary in Burlington, VT: $70,554 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time graphic designer in Burlington, VT earns a median $70,554/year (≈ $33.92/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 27-1024). Once you factor in Burlington's price level (1% above national, BEA RPP 100.9), that paycheck buys what $69,891 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.8% above the Vermont state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Burlington, VT, the graphic designer salary in Burlington is projected to reach a median annual figure of $70,554 in 2026, surpassing the national median of $65,075 by 8.42%. The salary range varies significantly, with entry-level positions earning around $44,600 and seasoned designers achieving up to $131,505. These insights are gleaned from the 2025 BLS OEWS data, which offers a detailed view of the local employment landscape. The bidding for work often reflects a freelance day rate or project rate model, where skilled designers can negotiate better compensation based on their specialization and portfolio strength. As such, the local market allows for opportunities to earn competitive wages relative to the national average.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $44,600 | $21.44 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $51,887 | $24.95 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $70,554 | $33.92 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $98,802 | $47.50 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $131,505 | $63.23 |
Median Salary Position
8.42% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Burlington
In Burlington, VT, the graphic designer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $86,905 (2026 est.). At $70,554, the local median is 8.42% above the national median of $65,075.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Burlington: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Burlington Graphic Designer Pay Compares
Burlington median: $70,554/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Burlington Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Vermont Average | $67,322 | +4.80% more |
| National Average | $65,075 | +8.42% more |
Graphic Designers in Burlington, VT earn a median of $70,554 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.42% higher than the national median of $65,075 and 4.80% above the Vermont state average of $67,322.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Burlington has a cost of living 0.95% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Burlington, VT has a cost-of-living index of 100.949 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $70,554 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $69,891 — a 0.94% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$47,090
2025 BLS Actual
$68,260
2026 Current Est.
$70,554
2019–2027 Growth
+54.9%
Salary Trajectory for Graphic Designers in Burlington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.36% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $47,090 | Actual |
| 2020 | $47,580 | Actual |
| 2021 | $47,570 | Actual |
| 2022 | $54,330 | Actual |
| 2023 | $59,580 | Actual |
| 2024 | $62,750 | Actual |
| 2025 | $68,260 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $70,554 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $72,924 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Burlington metropolitan area, the median graphic designer salary grew 45.0% from $47,090 (2019) to $68,260 (2025). At a 3.36% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $72,924 by 2027 — a total increase of $25,834 (54.86%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Burlington 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) | $44,600 – $51,887 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $51,887 – $70,554 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $70,554 – $98,802 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $98,802 – $131,505 |
salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual graphic designer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Graphic Designer Job Market in Burlington
There are currently 170 graphic designers employed in Burlington, indicating a structured job market in this creative field. However, the cost of living is slightly above the national average, with a cost-of-living index of 100.949. This factor influences the purchasing power of designers, making salary negotiations crucial, especially for those working in in-house corporate settings or high-tier agencies. Top employers, such as banks or tech firms, tend to offer higher compensation than typical retail jobs. The disparity in pay often hinges on specialty skills like motion graphics or brand identity, which command higher rates due to demand. For designers in Burlington, building a strong portfolio and developing niche skills can significantly elevate earning potential, which is vital in a regional market influenced by both agency work and freelance projects.
More salary data for Burlington, VT:
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 $68,260 for graphic designersin the Burlington 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