Graphic Designer Salary in Indianapolis, IN
Graphic Designers in the Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN metro area earn a median $60,520 a year — 4% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $49,052 take-home, or $4,088 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median graphic designer salary in Indianapolis, IN. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$5,082
- Social Security (6.2%)$3,752
- Medicare (1.45%)$878
- Indiana income tax$1,756
- Take-home pay$49,052
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 2.95% state
Graphic Designer pay by experience in Indianapolis, IN
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $39,450 | $18.97 | $32,744 | $2,729 |
| 25th percentile | $48,830 | $23.48 | $40,004 | $3,334 |
| Median (50th) | $60,520 | $29.10 | $49,052 | $4,088 |
| 75th percentile | $81,230 | $39.05 | $63,609 | $5,301 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $114,810 | $55.20 | $86,241 | $7,187 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Indiana resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $60,520 buys in Indianapolis, IN
Prices in Indianapolis, IN are 4.3% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 11% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median graphic designer's $49,052 take-home pay has the buying power of $51,258 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 Indianapolis, IN as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 1.09).
Best-paying cities for graphic designers, adjusted for cost of living
Indianapolis, IN ranks #37 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 |
| 37 | Indianapolis, IN | $60,520 | $49,052 | $51,258 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 64 metros →
Frequently asked questions
How much does a graphic designer make in Indianapolis, IN?
The median graphic designer salary in the Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN metro area is $60,520 a year, or about $29.10 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $48,830 and $81,230.
What is a graphic designer’s take-home pay in Indianapolis, IN?
On the median $60,520 salary, a single filer living in Indiana takes home about $49,052 a year ($4,088 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $1,756 in Indiana taxes in 2026.
Is Indianapolis, IN a good place to work as a graphic designer?
Pay here is 4% below the national median of $62,960. Local prices are 4.3% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $51,258 would in a typical U.S. city. Indianapolis, IN ranks #37 of 64 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a graphic designer afford rent in Indianapolis, IN?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Indianapolis, IN is $1,242 a month ($1,454 for two bedrooms) — 30% of a median graphic designer’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Indianapolis, IN
- Commercial and Industrial Designer — $88,040
- Public Relations Specialist — $66,450
- Interior Designer — $66,150
- Producer and Director — $61,220
- Audio and Video Technician — $58,340
- Interpreter and Translator — $47,530
- Coach and Scout — $45,410
- Merchandise Displayer and Window Trimmer — $36,490