Salaries › Graphic Designer › North Carolina
Graphic Designer Salary in North Carolina (2026)
$28.10 per hour · take-home ≈ $47,321/year ($3,943/month) for a single filer
North Carolina ranks 29th of 51 states for Graphic Designer pay, with a median about 10% below the national average. Of the 5,660 Graphic Designer jobs BLS counts in North Carolina, the typical worker earns $58,450 a year — though pay ranges from $37,680 for newcomers to $95,380 at the top.
Graphic Designer pay range in North Carolina
| Percentile | Annual wage | Meaning |
| 10th percentile (entry) | $37,680 | Lowest-paid 10% earn less than this |
| 25th percentile | $46,710 | A quarter earn less |
| Median (50th) | $58,450 | Half earn more, half earn less |
| 75th percentile | $74,410 | Top quarter starts here |
| 90th percentile (top) | $95,380 | Highest-paid 10% earn more than this |
BLS reports 5,660 Graphic Designer jobs in North Carolina (occupation code 27-1024, “Graphic Designers”).
Gross vs. take-home in North Carolina
A median Graphic Designer salary of $58,450 doesn’t all reach your bank account. After federal income tax, Social Security, and Medicare, plus North Carolina state income tax, a single filer keeps about $47,321 — an effective tax rate of 19.0%.
| Gross (median) | $58,450 |
| Federal income tax | −$4,834 |
| Social Security + Medicare | −$4,471 |
| North Carolina state income tax | −$1,823 |
| Take-home (annual) | $47,321 |
| Take-home (monthly) | $3,943 |
Want your exact numbers — married, 401(k), different salary? Use the free North Carolina paycheck calculator on PaycheckTally.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does a Graphic Designer make in North Carolina?
- The median Graphic Designer salary in North Carolina is $58,450 per year ($28.10 per hour) according to the latest BLS data. The middle 50% earn between $46,710 and $74,410.
- What is the take-home pay for a Graphic Designer in North Carolina?
- On the median salary of $58,450, a single filer in North Carolina takes home about $47,321 per year ($3,943 per month) after federal tax, FICA, and state income tax — an effective tax rate of 19.0%.
- How many Graphic Designer jobs are there in North Carolina?
- BLS counts 5,660 Graphic Designer jobs in North Carolina in the latest survey (May 2025).
Top-paying states for Graphic Designers
Other salaries in North Carolina
Sources and methodology
Wage and employment figures: BLS OEWS May 2025 (state file, released April 2026) — the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey, the most authoritative public salary dataset. Take-home estimate: 2026 federal brackets, FICA, and verified North Carolina state tax rules (single filer, standard deduction, no credits or local taxes). Estimates only — not financial advice.
- BLS OEWS — official occupational wage data.
- PaycheckTally — interactive 2026 take-home calculator for North Carolina.