Graphic Designer Salary in Atlanta, GA
Graphic Designers in the Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA metro area earn a median $62,680 a year — 0% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $49,913 take-home, or $4,159 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median graphic designer salary in Atlanta, GA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$5,342
- Social Security (6.2%)$3,886
- Medicare (1.45%)$909
- Georgia income tax$2,630
- Take-home pay$49,913
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 5.19% state
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Graphic Designer pay by experience in Atlanta, GA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,860 | $17.72 | $30,507 | $2,542 |
| 25th percentile | $46,820 | $22.51 | $37,993 | $3,166 |
| Median (50th) | $62,680 | $30.13 | $49,913 | $4,159 |
| 75th percentile | $79,730 | $38.33 | $61,405 | $5,117 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $103,100 | $49.57 | $76,633 | $6,386 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Georgia resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $62,680 buys in Atlanta, GA
Prices in Atlanta, GA are 0.1% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.11× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median graphic designer's $49,913 take-home pay has the buying power of $49,884 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Graphic Designer jobs are about as common in Atlanta, GA as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 1.10).
Best-paying cities for graphic designers, adjusted for cost of living
Atlanta, GA ranks #10 of 17 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washington, DC | $85,420 | $64,631 | $59,357 |
| 2 | San Francisco, CA | $92,050 | $68,059 | $58,868 |
| 3 | Seattle, WA | $76,720 | $62,803 | $56,511 |
| 4 | Boston, MA | $78,270 | $60,199 | $55,603 |
| 5 | Denver, CO | $72,500 | $57,352 | $54,217 |
| 6 | New York, NY | $79,280 | $60,919 | $54,120 |
| 7 | Portland, OR | $75,650 | $56,260 | $53,367 |
| 8 | Dallas, TX | $63,780 | $53,427 | $51,826 |
| 10 | Atlanta, GA | $62,680 | $49,913 | $49,884 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 17 metros →
About the job: graphic designers
Design or create graphics to meet specific commercial or promotional needs, such as packaging, displays, or logos. May use a variety of mediums to achieve artistic or decorative effects.
- Typical education
- Bachelor's degree
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- None
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- -1.7% (declining)
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a graphic designer make in Atlanta, GA?
The median graphic designer salary in the Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA metro area is $62,680 a year, or about $30.13 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $46,820 and $79,730.
What is a graphic designer’s take-home pay in Atlanta, GA?
On the median $62,680 salary, a single filer living in Georgia takes home about $49,913 a year ($4,159 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $2,630 in Georgia taxes in 2026.
Is Atlanta, GA a good place to work as a graphic designer?
Pay here is 0% below the national median of $62,960. Local prices are 0.1% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $49,884 would in a typical U.S. city. Atlanta, GA ranks #10 of 17 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a graphic designer afford rent in Atlanta, GA?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Atlanta, GA is $1,646 a month ($1,806 for two bedrooms) — 40% of a median graphic designer’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Atlanta, GA
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- Public Relations Specialist — $78,920
- Interior Designer — $72,490
- Coach and Scout — $49,750
- Merchandise Displayer and Window Trimmer — $37,440