Graphic Designer Salary in Denver, CO
Graphic Designers in the Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO metro area earn a median $72,500 a year — 15% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $57,352 take-home, or $4,779 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median graphic designer salary in Denver, CO. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$7,120
- Social Security (6.2%)$4,495
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,051
- Colorado income tax$2,482
- Take-home pay$57,352
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 4.40% state
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Graphic Designer pay by experience in Denver, CO
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $47,990 | $23.07 | $39,337 | $3,278 |
| 25th percentile | $57,980 | $27.88 | $46,924 | $3,910 |
| Median (50th) | $72,500 | $34.86 | $57,352 | $4,779 |
| 75th percentile | $90,770 | $43.64 | $69,401 | $5,783 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $123,900 | $59.57 | $91,208 | $7,601 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Colorado resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $72,500 buys in Denver, CO
Prices in Denver, CO are 5.8% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.47× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median graphic designer's $57,352 take-home pay has the buying power of $54,217 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Denver, CO has 1.3× the national concentration of graphic designer jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for graphic designers, adjusted for cost of living
Denver, CO ranks #5 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 |
*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 Denver, CO?
The median graphic designer salary in the Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO metro area is $72,500 a year, or about $34.86 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $57,980 and $90,770.
What is a graphic designer’s take-home pay in Denver, CO?
On the median $72,500 salary, a single filer living in Colorado takes home about $57,352 a year ($4,779 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $2,482 in Colorado taxes in 2026.
Is Denver, CO a good place to work as a graphic designer?
Pay here is 15% above the national median of $62,960. Local prices are 5.8% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $54,217 would in a typical U.S. city. Denver, CO ranks #5 of 17 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a graphic designer afford rent in Denver, CO?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Denver, CO is $1,754 a month ($2,089 for two bedrooms) — 37% of a median graphic designer’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Denver, CO
- Public Relations Specialist — $82,930
- Merchandise Displayer and Window Trimmer — $44,970