Graphic Designer Salary in Charlotte, NC
Graphic Designers in the Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC metro area earn a median $59,810 a year — 5% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $48,360 take-home, or $4,030 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median graphic designer salary in Charlotte, NC. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$4,997
- Social Security (6.2%)$3,708
- Medicare (1.45%)$867
- North Carolina income tax$1,878
- Take-home pay$48,360
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 3.99% state
The Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC metro spans North Carolina, South Carolina. Pick the state you live in — state income tax follows your residence.
Graphic Designer pay by experience in Charlotte, NC
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $39,380 | $18.93 | $32,759 | $2,730 |
| 25th percentile | $49,510 | $23.80 | $40,495 | $3,375 |
| Median (50th) | $59,810 | $28.75 | $48,360 | $4,030 |
| 75th percentile | $75,290 | $36.20 | $59,301 | $4,942 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $95,380 | $45.86 | $72,633 | $6,053 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, North Carolina resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $59,810 buys in Charlotte, NC
Prices in Charlotte, NC are 2.7% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 2% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median graphic designer's $48,360 take-home pay has the buying power of $49,677 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 Charlotte, NC as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.95).
Best-paying cities for graphic designers, adjusted for cost of living
Charlotte, NC ranks #49 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 |
| 49 | Charlotte, NC | $59,810 | $48,360 | $49,677 |
*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 North Carolina
- Raleigh, NC — $61,700
- Greensboro, NC — $55,240
Frequently asked questions
How much does a graphic designer make in Charlotte, NC?
The median graphic designer salary in the Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC metro area is $59,810 a year, or about $28.75 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $49,510 and $75,290.
What is a graphic designer’s take-home pay in Charlotte, NC?
On the median $59,810 salary, a single filer living in North Carolina takes home about $48,360 a year ($4,030 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $1,878 in North Carolina taxes in 2026.
Is Charlotte, NC a good place to work as a graphic designer?
Pay here is 5% below the national median of $62,960. Local prices are 2.7% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $49,677 would in a typical U.S. city. Charlotte, NC ranks #49 of 64 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a graphic designer afford rent in Charlotte, NC?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Charlotte, NC is $1,428 a month ($1,577 for two bedrooms) — 35% of a median graphic designer’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Charlotte, NC
- Technical Writer — $82,610
- Editor — $77,730
- Public Relations Specialist — $75,190
- Producer and Director — $74,850
- Interior Designer — $64,370
- Audio and Video Technician — $48,490
- Coach and Scout — $46,440
- Merchandise Displayer and Window Trimmer — $39,760
- Photographer — $36,810