Graphic Designer Salary in Rochester, NY
Graphic Designers in the Rochester, NY metro area earn a median $63,530 a year — 1% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $50,393 take-home, or $4,199 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median graphic designer salary in Rochester, NY. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$5,444
- Social Security (6.2%)$3,939
- Medicare (1.45%)$921
- New York income tax$2,834
- Take-home pay$50,393
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 5.40% state
Graphic Designer pay by experience in Rochester, NY
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $42,090 | $20.24 | $34,323 | $2,860 |
| 25th percentile | $49,740 | $23.91 | $40,057 | $3,338 |
| Median (50th) | $63,530 | $30.54 | $50,393 | $4,199 |
| 75th percentile | $81,180 | $39.03 | $62,153 | $5,179 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $103,440 | $49.73 | $76,537 | $6,378 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, New York resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $63,530 buys in Rochester, NY
Prices in Rochester, NY are 3.0% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 13% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median graphic designer's $50,393 take-home pay has the buying power of $51,933 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 Rochester, NY as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 1.04).
Best-paying cities for graphic designers, adjusted for cost of living
Rochester, NY ranks #31 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 |
| 31 | Rochester, NY | $63,530 | $50,393 | $51,933 |
*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 New York
- New York, NY — $79,280
- Albany, NY — $63,200
- Buffalo, NY — $60,000
Frequently asked questions
How much does a graphic designer make in Rochester, NY?
The median graphic designer salary in the Rochester, NY metro area is $63,530 a year, or about $30.54 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $49,740 and $81,180.
What is a graphic designer’s take-home pay in Rochester, NY?
On the median $63,530 salary, a single filer living in New York takes home about $50,393 a year ($4,199 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $2,834 in New York taxes in 2026.
Is Rochester, NY a good place to work as a graphic designer?
Pay here is 1% above the national median of $62,960. Local prices are 3.0% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $51,933 would in a typical U.S. city. Rochester, NY ranks #31 of 64 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a graphic designer afford rent in Rochester, NY?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Rochester, NY is $1,256 a month ($1,573 for two bedrooms) — 30% of a median graphic designer’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
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- Coach and Scout — $50,850