Graphic Designer Salary in Richmond, VA
Graphic Designers in the Richmond, VA metro area earn a median $66,350 a year — 5% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $52,491 take-home, or $4,374 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median graphic designer salary in Richmond, VA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$5,782
- Social Security (6.2%)$4,114
- Medicare (1.45%)$962
- Virginia income tax$3,001
- Take-home pay$52,491
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 5.75% state
Graphic Designer pay by experience in Richmond, VA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $39,220 | $18.86 | $32,252 | $2,688 |
| 25th percentile | $50,640 | $24.35 | $40,772 | $3,398 |
| Median (50th) | $66,350 | $31.90 | $52,491 | $4,374 |
| 75th percentile | $81,470 | $39.17 | $62,274 | $5,189 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $106,140 | $51.03 | $78,211 | $6,518 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Virginia resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $66,350 buys in Richmond, VA
Prices in Richmond, VA are 2.1% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median graphic designer's $52,491 take-home pay has the buying power of $53,640 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 Richmond, VA as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.90).
Best-paying cities for graphic designers, adjusted for cost of living
Richmond, VA ranks #21 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 |
| 21 | Richmond, VA | $66,350 | $52,491 | $53,640 |
*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 Virginia
- Virginia Beach, VA — $60,150
Frequently asked questions
How much does a graphic designer make in Richmond, VA?
The median graphic designer salary in the Richmond, VA metro area is $66,350 a year, or about $31.90 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $50,640 and $81,470.
What is a graphic designer’s take-home pay in Richmond, VA?
On the median $66,350 salary, a single filer living in Virginia takes home about $52,491 a year ($4,374 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $3,001 in Virginia taxes in 2026.
Is Richmond, VA a good place to work as a graphic designer?
Pay here is 5% above the national median of $62,960. Local prices are 2.1% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $53,640 would in a typical U.S. city. Richmond, VA ranks #21 of 64 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a graphic designer afford rent in Richmond, VA?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Richmond, VA is $1,505 a month ($1,653 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 Richmond, VA
- Public Relations Specialist — $75,730
- Merchandise Displayer and Window Trimmer — $38,630