How Much Money Do Graphic Designers Make in 2020 - Graphic Design Salaries

Being a graphic designer is a great career, but how much money, salary, compensation do graphic designers actually make in 2020? The answer is: it depends on a whole lot of factors, from your years of experience, your design specialty, whether you work at an agency or in-house at a company, your age, gender, where you live in the country or in the world. This video shares my perspectives on the findings of the AIGA Design Census from 2019, the most comprehensive survey of design professional salaries in the United States.

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This video is targeted to my audience of entrepreneurs, designers, creative professionals and people interested in brand strategy, business, graphic design, personal branding and marketing.

Philip VanDusen is the CEO of Verhaal Brand Design, a brand strategy and design agency. Philip is a highly accomplished creative executive and expert in brand strategy, graphic design, marketing and creative management. Philip gives design, branding, marketing, career and business advice to creative professionals, entrepreneurs and companies on how to build successful brands for themselves or for the clients they serve.

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[nerdypeachmango]

I work as a graphic designer in higher education settings (college/university). I am self-taught and have no art-related degrees. I have a 2 year degree in IT but everything I do for work I learned on the job and on my own. I taught myself photoshop with youtube while I was a stay at home mom :)

[DGMBossTV]

FYI stay away from the music industry those guys DO NOT PAY

[rozenii]

I've always wanted to be a graphic designer but my parents want me to have a high paying job, i wanted to see how much a graphic designer can make so here i am ☺️

[speterlewis]

My wife calls these "Man On Vacation" shirts! Sweet. Thanks for more great content! And here I am, proudly part of the top 1% (in terms of age). Woot Woot!

[bubbletwinsmom]

Yes as a single Hispanic mom I’m NYC I was earning $27 an hour and my colleague a white male was earning $42 an hour.
But in California is the best for Graphic designers with great benefits

[celestesantos]

63 yrs old & caught (as you said) with my pants down this April, after 9 years with an international interior design company. Total of 20 years in graphic design and illustration on 3 continents. A bit late (not too), but rethinking and recreating my life. Really appreciate all the knowledge and insight you share so generously.

[lalohernandez]

Thank you so much for giving us excellent info about a theme thats “ tabu” for most designers. Being a graphic designer in Costa Rica, 30 year experience and understanding my income, compared to AIGA “s info has given me a true reality check !

[JanneWolterbeek]

Great insight. I am exactly 20 years in the business, mostly self-employed, sometimes at agencies/studios, I need to step up my game in terms of $$$. Thanks again, Philip, I will share it again!

[elissae]

Just goes to show the company I work for is severely underpaying me for my experience level, industry, and title. Evidence for a raise. Thank you.

[stephh_nz]

🙋‍♀️ 6%/9% right here! The variation and volatility of the industry is well countered by the fact it’s an awesome job to have (if you can keep it!)

[pascalsanyi]

This was definitely a great topic, detailed & well explained.

[TheCreatives]

Great breakdown in the variables of different graphic designers. Thank you 😊

[ladylizcreates]

Love how you broke down the topic I.e. using stats. And per category. Thanks for the great content.

[DGMBossTV]

Also I have no art education no degree at all I’m self taught and have been working in the field for 15 years

[scottperezfox]

There's a lot to examine within this data set. The salary pegged to "Graphic Designer" is greatly linked to the fact that "Graphic designer" is a journeyman role. I don't think AIGA does any vertical integration to show that a Designer will become an Art Director and then a Creative Director, or spin off and become a freelancer or business owner. You almost have to look at the charts and find a specific scenario you're looking for, then go up and down a level, as well as consider city-specific stuff. It's complicated!

[Leftyx]

This was an amazing break down as I am 27 years old trying to make a career change from Automotive. Im personally torn between Graphic design and IT Specialist to go further. Design is truly where my heart is but the fear of being fired at any random time and finding a entry level job kinda scares me away. I appreciate the honesty in this video

[JuniperTreeee]

I moved over into front-end development years ago because salaries skyrocketed (& I wanted to build my designs ). It seems now like really great designers (better than myself) can make great pay these days! I would add that software eng is a stable field because there is sooo much work for people with art AND dev skills.

[caseymoore]

Being a agency creative in LA is amazing! Like it here way more then the east coast work

[Serenity_seeker_nz]

Put it this way, I live in a small country in South America with South American salaries and European cost of living :(

[tedbragg]

Had to quit GD because of low pay and failing eyesight. I honestly do not believe these high salaries exist outside the east and west coasts. After 20+ years slogging in Midwest the highest Ive ever seen was $41k (zero benefits, zero job security). Most I could land was $23k and that was after 5 yrs same place. Raises simply dont happen for creative depts