Graphic Designers Salary in Charleston-North Charleston, SC
The median pay for a graphic designers in Charleston-North Charleston, SC is $62,080/year ($29.84/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $36K at the entry level to $85K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 100.96), that's roughly $61,490 in purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,787/month — about 43.8% of take-home, which is tight.
So what does $62K get you in Charleston-North Charleston?
Groceries, utilities, transportation, and healthcare scaled from national averages by Charleston-North Charleston’s Regional Price Parity (100.96). Rent from HUD Fair Market Rents. Taxes estimated for single filer, standard deduction. * Healthcare is the employee-paid share only (premiums + out-of-pocket). Actual costs vary by coverage type: employer-sponsored, ACA marketplace, or uninsured.
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Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Charleston-North Charleston, SC
Entry-level graphic designers (10th percentile) start around $36K. Mid-career wages sit at $62K. Top earners bring in $85K or more, a $49K spread from bottom to top.
Graphic Designers pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $91K | +48% | 1,280 |
| California | $76K | +25% | 28,310 |
| Massachusetts | $76K | +25% | 4,890 |
| Washington | $76K | +24% | 5,460 |
| New York | $75K | +22% | 16,730 |
| Virginia | $70K | +14% | 5,500 |
| New Jersey | $67K | +9% | 5,870 |
| Maryland | $66K | +8% | 3,880 |
| Connecticut | $65K | +7% | 1,980 |
| Rhode Island | $64K | +5% | 820 |
| Oregon | $64K | +4% | 3,080 |
| Vermont | $62K | +1% | 470 |
| Texas | $62K | +1% | 19,360 |
| Illinois | $60K | -2% | 7,900 |
| Utah | $59K | -4% | 3,070 |
| Minnesota | $59K | -4% | 5,460 |
| Wisconsin | $58K | -5% | 4,630 |
| Florida | $58K | -6% | 14,010 |
| Georgia | $58K | -6% | 5,410 |
| New Mexico | $58K | -6% | 1,170 |
| New Hampshire | $57K | -7% | 680 |
| Nevada | $57K | -7% | 1,970 |
| Indiana | $56K | -8% | 4,480 |
| South Carolina | $56K | -8% | 1,990 |
| Delaware | $56K | -8% | 420 |
| Montana | $55K | -10% | 650 |
| Alaska | $55K | -10% | 150 |
| Ohio | $55K | -10% | 7,010 |
| Maine | $53K | -13% | 590 |
| Pennsylvania | $53K | -14% | 8,280 |
| Michigan | $53K | -14% | 5,990 |
| Nebraska | $52K | -14% | 1,780 |
| Arizona | $52K | -15% | 4,330 |
| Tennessee | $52K | -16% | 4,190 |
| Hawaii | $52K | -16% | 510 |
| Missouri | $51K | -17% | 3,700 |
| North Carolina | $51K | -17% | 7,210 |
| Kentucky | $50K | -18% | 1,910 |
| Oklahoma | $50K | -18% | 1,770 |
| Kansas | $50K | -19% | 2,080 |
| Idaho | $49K | -21% | 970 |
| Alabama | $48K | -21% | 2,010 |
| North Dakota | $48K | -22% | 500 |
| Iowa | $48K | -22% | 2,230 |
| Arkansas | $46K | -24% | 1,450 |
| Louisiana | $46K | -24% | 1,200 |
| Mississippi | $45K | -26% | 920 |
| South Dakota | $44K | -28% | 470 |
| Wyoming | $43K | -29% | 250 |
| West Virginia | $37K | -40% | 540 |
Showing 1–10 of 50 states
BLS does not publish data for every state when sample sizes are too small
Track graphic designers salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Charleston-North Charleston numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do graphic designers make in Charleston-North Charleston, SC?
The median is $62,080 a year, that works out to about $30 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $36,300, and experienced graphic designers can clear $85,010. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $62K enough to live in Charleston-North Charleston?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $4,131/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,787/month, which eats 43.3% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb, housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a graphic designers salary go in Charleston-North Charleston?
Charleston-North Charleston has a Regional Price Parity of 100.96 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median graphic designers salary is worth about $61,490 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do graphic designers get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.