Graphic Designer salary in Portland, OR
Median pay, Portland (OR) metro
$75,650/year
about $36.37 an hour full-time
Middle half earns $59,880 – $120,420
Half of graphic designers in the Portland (OR) metro area earn more than $75,650 a year and half earn less. That's 20% higher than the national median of $62,960, and ranks #8 of the 29 big metro areas we track for this job.
Pay range
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly* |
|---|---|---|
| 10th (entry level) | $47,890 | $23.02 |
| 25th | $59,880 | $28.79 |
| Median (50th) | $75,650 | $36.37 |
| 75th | $120,420 | $57.89 |
| 90th (top earners) | $170,680 | $82.06 |
*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 Portland (OR) metro area, here's how an offer compares:
- Below market under $59,880 ($28.79/hr). Fine for a first job in the field, otherwise worth negotiating.
- Typical $59,880 to $120,420 ($28.79 to $57.89/hr). The middle half of what people in this job earn.
- Strong offer over $120,420 ($57.89/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, Portland (OR) metro. Occupation: Graphic Designers (SOC 27-1024). Figures cover wage and salary workers and don't include bonuses, benefits or overtime.