Graphic Designer salary in Boston, MA
Median pay, Boston metro
$78,270/year
about $37.63 an hour full-time
Middle half earns $61,490 – $98,260
Half of graphic designers in the Boston metro area earn more than $78,270 a year and half earn less. That's 24% higher than the national median of $62,960, and ranks #5 of the 29 big metro areas we track for this job.
Pay range
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly* |
|---|---|---|
| 10th (entry level) | $51,440 | $24.73 |
| 25th | $61,490 | $29.56 |
| Median (50th) | $78,270 | $37.63 |
| 75th | $98,260 | $47.24 |
| 90th (top earners) | $116,000 | $55.77 |
*Yearly pay divided by 2,080 hours (40 hours × 52 weeks), the full-time basis BLS uses.
Is your offer fair?
For a graphic designer job in the Boston metro area, here's how an offer compares:
- Below market under $61,490 ($29.56/hr). Fine for a first job in the field, otherwise worth negotiating.
- Typical $61,490 to $98,260 ($29.56 to $47.24/hr). The middle half of what people in this job earn.
- Strong offer over $98,260 ($47.24/hr). Higher than three quarters of workers here.
Before you accept
- Watch for roles that bundle design, video, social media and web work into one job at one salary.
- Unpaid "test projects" are a common red flag. A short, paid test is fair; a full campaign for free isn't.
- In-house design roles tend to be steadier than agency roles, which can pay more but come with heavier deadlines.
Also watch for the common warning signs in the posting itself: 15 job posting red flags.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, 2025, Boston metro. Occupation: Graphic Designers (SOC 27-1024). Figures cover wage and salary workers and don't include bonuses, benefits or overtime.