Graphic Designer Salary in Providence, RI
Graphic Designers in the Providence-Warwick, RI-MA metro area earn a median $70,450 a year — 12% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $56,367 take-home, or $4,697 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median graphic designer salary in Providence, RI. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$6,669
- Social Security (6.2%)$4,368
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,022
- Rhode Island income tax$2,025
- Take-home pay$56,367
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 3.75% state
The Providence-Warwick, RI-MA metro spans Rhode Island, Massachusetts. Pick the state you live in — state income tax follows your residence.
Graphic Designer pay by experience in Providence, RI
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $47,180 | $22.68 | $38,937 | $3,245 |
| 25th percentile | $59,120 | $28.42 | $48,083 | $4,007 |
| Median (50th) | $70,450 | $33.87 | $56,367 | $4,697 |
| 75th percentile | $89,650 | $43.10 | $69,154 | $5,763 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $107,580 | $51.72 | $81,004 | $6,750 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Rhode Island resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $70,450 buys in Providence, RI
Prices in Providence, RI are 1.8% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.04× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median graphic designer's $56,367 take-home pay has the buying power of $55,385 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 Providence, RI as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 1.07).
Best-paying cities for graphic designers, adjusted for cost of living
Providence, RI ranks #9 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 |
| 9 | Providence, RI | $70,450 | $56,367 | $55,385 |
*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 Providence, RI?
The median graphic designer salary in the Providence-Warwick, RI-MA metro area is $70,450 a year, or about $33.87 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $59,120 and $89,650.
What is a graphic designer’s take-home pay in Providence, RI?
On the median $70,450 salary, a single filer living in Rhode Island takes home about $56,367 a year ($4,697 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $2,025 in Rhode Island taxes in 2026.
Is Providence, RI a good place to work as a graphic designer?
Pay here is 12% above the national median of $62,960. Local prices are 1.8% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $55,385 would in a typical U.S. city. Providence, RI ranks #9 of 64 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a graphic designer afford rent in Providence, RI?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Providence, RI is $1,423 a month ($1,774 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 Providence, RI
- Producer and Director — $78,530
- Public Relations Specialist — $77,210
- Interior Designer — $58,100
- Coach and Scout — $52,420