Graphic Designer Salary in Pittsburgh, PA
Graphic Designers in the Pittsburgh, PA metro area earn a median $57,830 a year — 8% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $46,871 take-home, or $3,906 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median graphic designer salary in Pittsburgh, PA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$4,760
- Social Security (6.2%)$3,585
- Medicare (1.45%)$839
- Pennsylvania income tax$1,775
- Take-home pay$46,871
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 3.07% state
Graphic Designer pay by experience in Pittsburgh, PA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $40,970 | $19.70 | $33,842 | $2,820 |
| 25th percentile | $46,540 | $22.38 | $38,146 | $3,179 |
| Median (50th) | $57,830 | $27.80 | $46,871 | $3,906 |
| 75th percentile | $70,710 | $34.00 | $56,404 | $4,700 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $86,680 | $41.67 | $67,148 | $5,596 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Pennsylvania resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $57,830 buys in Pittsburgh, PA
Prices in Pittsburgh, PA are 5.3% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 28% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median graphic designer's $46,871 take-home pay has the buying power of $49,509 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 Pittsburgh, PA as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.85).
Best-paying cities for graphic designers, adjusted for cost of living
Pittsburgh, PA ranks #53 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 |
| 53 | Pittsburgh, PA | $57,830 | $46,871 | $49,509 |
*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 Pennsylvania
- Philadelphia, PA — $63,090
Frequently asked questions
How much does a graphic designer make in Pittsburgh, PA?
The median graphic designer salary in the Pittsburgh, PA metro area is $57,830 a year, or about $27.80 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $46,540 and $70,710.
What is a graphic designer’s take-home pay in Pittsburgh, PA?
On the median $57,830 salary, a single filer living in Pennsylvania takes home about $46,871 a year ($3,906 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $1,775 in Pennsylvania taxes in 2026.
Is Pittsburgh, PA a good place to work as a graphic designer?
Pay here is 8% below the national median of $62,960. Local prices are 5.3% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $49,509 would in a typical U.S. city. Pittsburgh, PA ranks #53 of 64 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a graphic designer afford rent in Pittsburgh, PA?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Pittsburgh, PA is $1,058 a month ($1,281 for two bedrooms) — 27% of a median graphic designer’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Pittsburgh, PA
- Producer and Director — $65,640
- Public Relations Specialist — $55,910
- Audio and Video Technician — $50,500
- Coach and Scout — $47,050
- Merchandise Displayer and Window Trimmer — $40,750