Graphic Designer Salary in Phoenix, AZ
Graphic Designers in the Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ metro area earn a median $59,090 a year — 6% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $48,390 take-home, or $4,033 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median graphic designer salary in Phoenix, AZ. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$4,911
- Social Security (6.2%)$3,664
- Medicare (1.45%)$857
- Arizona income tax$1,269
- Take-home pay$48,390
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 2.50% state
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Graphic Designer pay by experience in Phoenix, AZ
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $45,760 | $22.00 | $38,013 | $3,168 |
| 25th percentile | $50,900 | $24.47 | $42,014 | $3,501 |
| Median (50th) | $59,090 | $28.41 | $48,390 | $4,033 |
| 75th percentile | $76,100 | $36.59 | $60,673 | $5,056 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $89,390 | $42.98 | $69,690 | $5,807 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Arizona resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $59,090 buys in Phoenix, AZ
Prices in Phoenix, AZ are 3.3% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.21× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median graphic designer's $48,390 take-home pay has the buying power of $46,837 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 Phoenix, AZ as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.93).
Best-paying cities for graphic designers, adjusted for cost of living
Phoenix, AZ ranks #16 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 |
| 16 | Phoenix, AZ | $59,090 | $48,390 | $46,837 |
*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 Phoenix, AZ?
The median graphic designer salary in the Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ metro area is $59,090 a year, or about $28.41 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $50,900 and $76,100.
What is a graphic designer’s take-home pay in Phoenix, AZ?
On the median $59,090 salary, a single filer living in Arizona takes home about $48,390 a year ($4,033 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $1,269 in Arizona taxes in 2026.
Is Phoenix, AZ a good place to work as a graphic designer?
Pay here is 6% below the national median of $62,960. Local prices are 3.3% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $46,837 would in a typical U.S. city. Phoenix, AZ ranks #16 of 17 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a graphic designer afford rent in Phoenix, AZ?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Phoenix, AZ is $1,583 a month ($1,839 for two bedrooms) — 39% of a median graphic designer’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
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