Graphic Designer Salary in Virginia: $63,844 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Virginia's 42 metropolitan areas, the average median graphic designer pay sits at $63,844/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 27-1024. Because Virginia sits at BEA RPP 103.2 (3% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $61,864 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Alexandria ($84,699), Richmond ($66,350), Winchester ($62,450).
In 2026, graphic designers in Virginia can expect an average median salary of $63,844, which is slightly below the national median of $65,075, representing a difference of 1.9%. There is a significant salary range across the state; for instance, Alexandria, the highest paying city for graphic designers, offers an average salary of $87,545, while Lynchburg, the lowest, pays around $50,667. This roughly $36,878 salary gap is influenced by several factors, including the cost of living, the concentration of businesses requiring design services, and regional economic conditions. Virginia’s job market for graphic designers is estimated to grow at a rate of 3.36% annually. This growth is driven by increasing demand for digital content, advertising, and branding services as businesses expand their online presence. While state licensing requirements for graphic designers are limited compared to some professions, the demand for skilled professionals who can navigate evolving technologies remains high. In addition, urban areas like Richmond, which has an average salary of $68,579, and Winchester, at $64,548, reflect the diverse opportunities available within the state. Positions in metropolitan hubs may offer higher salaries due to an increased presence of media, marketing, and technology firms. As such, aspiring graphic designers should consider both location and industry focus when exploring career opportunities in Virginia.
Virginia Graphic Designer Salary Range
Overall salary range in Virginia: $33,582 (lowest entry-level) to $135,694 (highest top earner)
Virginia vs National Average
Virginia graphic designers earn 1.89% less than the national median ($-1,231/year difference).
Virginia Graphic Designer Salary Distribution (2026)
Graphic Designer salaries in Virginia range from $39,064 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $102,140 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $63,844. The Virginia median is $1,231 below the US national median of $65,075. The average hourly rate is $30.69/hr. Approximately 2,340 graphic designers are employed across 42 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$50,601
2025 BLS Actual
$61,769
2026 Current Est.
$63,844
2019–2027 Growth
+30.4%
Salary Trajectory for Graphic Designers in Virginia (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.36% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $50,601 | Actual |
| 2020 | $54,423 | Actual |
| 2021 | $51,903 | Actual |
| 2022 | $53,280 | Actual |
| 2023 | $55,711 | Actual |
| 2024 | $60,696 | Actual |
| 2025 | $61,769 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $63,844 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $65,989 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Virginia metropolitan area, the median graphic designer salary grew 22.1% from $50,601 (2019) to $61,769 (2025). At a 3.36% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $65,989 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,388 (30.41%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Virginia 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 Virginia
Lowest Paying Cities in Virginia
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Lynchburg | $50,667 |
| Bristol | $52,414 |
| Blacksburg | $55,101 |
| Radford | $56,065 |
| Falls Church | $57,298 |
Best Value Cities for Graphic Designers in Virginia
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Virginia cities offer the most purchasing power for graphic designers.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alexandria | $87,545 | 103.2 | $84,830 |
| Richmond | $68,579 | 97.858 | $70,080 |
| Winchester | $64,548 | 96.45 | $66,924 |
| Roanoke | $62,140 | 93.618 | $66,376 |
| Charlottesville | $63,773 | 99.146 | $64,322 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Virginia
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $39,064 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $63,844 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $102,140 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Virginia metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 42 Cities in Virginia
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alexandria | $87,545 |
| 2 | Richmond | $68,579 |
| 3 | Winchester | $64,548 |
| 4 | Charlottesville | $63,773 |
| 5 | Norfolk | $63,098 |
| 6 | Newport News | $62,624 |
| 7 | Chesapeake | $62,412 |
| 8 | Virginia Beach | $62,171 |
| 9 | Roanoke | $62,140 |
| 10 | Hampton | $62,071 |
| 11 | Centreville | $61,782 |
| 12 | Burke | $61,363 |
| 13 | Suffolk | $61,098 |
| 14 | Tuckahoe | $60,925 |
| 15 | Ashburn | $60,837 |
| 16 | McLean | $60,833 |
| 17 | Reston | $60,768 |
| 18 | Danville | $60,756 |
| 19 | Fredericksburg | $60,496 |
| 20 | Dale City | $60,483 |
| 21 | Manassas | $60,418 |
| 22 | Salem | $60,250 |
| 23 | Leesburg | $60,163 |
| 24 | Portsmouth | $60,129 |
| 25 | Mechanicsville | $60,033 |
| 26 | Springfield | $59,821 |
| 27 | Woodbridge | $59,738 |
| 28 | Sterling | $59,622 |
| 29 | Lake Ridge | $59,546 |
| 30 | Linton Hall | $59,477 |
| 31 | Fairfax | $59,326 |
| 32 | Waynesboro | $59,035 |
| 33 | Annandale | $58,957 |
| 34 | Williamsburg | $58,844 |
| 35 | Harrisonburg | $58,533 |
| 36 | Staunton | $58,305 |
| 37 | Herndon | $58,208 |
| 38 | Falls Church | $57,298 |
| 39 | Radford | $56,065 |
| 40 | Blacksburg | $55,101 |
| 41 | Bristol | $52,414 |
| 42 | Lynchburg | $50,667 |
More Virginia Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore graphic designer hourly pay in Virginia cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced graphic designers.
Explore More Graphic Designer Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do graphic designers make in Virginia in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for graphic designers in Virginia?
How does Virginia graphic designer pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level graphic designer salary in Virginia?
How many graphic designers are employed in Virginia?
Which Virginia 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 Virginia. State averages are employment-weighted across 42 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