Graphic Designer Salary in Austin, TX
Graphic Designers in the Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX metro area earn a median $65,060 a year — 3% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $54,456 take-home, or $4,538 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median graphic designer salary in Austin, TX. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$5,627
- Social Security (6.2%)$4,034
- Medicare (1.45%)$943
- Texas income tax$0
- Take-home pay$54,456
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 0.00% state
Graphic Designer pay by experience in Austin, TX
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $40,690 | $19.56 | $34,874 | $2,906 |
| 25th percentile | $52,140 | $25.07 | $44,074 | $3,673 |
| Median (50th) | $65,060 | $31.28 | $54,456 | $4,538 |
| 75th percentile | $79,790 | $38.36 | $64,962 | $5,414 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $101,690 | $48.89 | $80,369 | $6,697 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Texas resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $65,060 buys in Austin, TX
Prices in Austin, TX are 1.9% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.20× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median graphic designer's $54,456 take-home pay has the buying power of $55,530 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 Austin, TX as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 1.14).
Best-paying cities for graphic designers, adjusted for cost of living
Austin, TX ranks #8 of 64 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Jose, CA | $97,360 | $71,232 | $64,508 |
| 2 | Bridgeport, CT | $81,800 | $63,452 | $59,377 |
| 3 | Washington, DC | $85,420 | $64,631 | $59,357 |
| 4 | San Francisco, CA | $92,050 | $68,059 | $58,868 |
| 5 | Seattle, WA | $76,720 | $62,803 | $56,511 |
| 6 | Baltimore, MD | $75,790 | $58,912 | $56,382 |
| 7 | Boston, MA | $78,270 | $60,199 | $55,603 |
| 8 | Austin, TX | $65,060 | $54,456 | $55,530 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 64 metros →
Graphic Designer salaries elsewhere in Texas
- San Antonio, TX — $59,710
- Dallas, TX — $63,780
- Houston, TX — $58,400
Frequently asked questions
How much does a graphic designer make in Austin, TX?
The median graphic designer salary in the Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX metro area is $65,060 a year, or about $31.28 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $52,140 and $79,790.
What is a graphic designer’s take-home pay in Austin, TX?
On the median $65,060 salary, a single filer living in Texas takes home about $54,456 a year ($4,538 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare in 2026.
Is Austin, TX a good place to work as a graphic designer?
Pay here is 3% above the national median of $62,960. Local prices are 1.9% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $55,530 would in a typical U.S. city. Austin, TX ranks #8 of 64 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a graphic designer afford rent in Austin, TX?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Austin, TX is $1,562 a month ($1,852 for two bedrooms) — 34% of a median graphic designer’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Austin, TX
- Technical Writer — $88,360
- Interior Designer — $78,390
- Producer and Director — $78,050
- Public Relations Specialist — $69,470
- Interpreter and Translator — $62,900
- Audio and Video Technician — $56,210
- Editor — $52,600
- Photographer — $38,970
- Merchandise Displayer and Window Trimmer — $38,670
- Coach and Scout — $37,190