Graphic Designer salary in St. Louis, MO
Median pay, St. Louis metro
$61,000/year
about $29.33 an hour full-time
Middle half earns $48,620 – $76,560
Half of graphic designers in the St. Louis metro area earn more than $61,000 a year and half earn less. That's 3% lower than the national median of $62,960, and ranks #22 of the 29 big metro areas we track for this job.
Pay range
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly* |
|---|---|---|
| 10th (entry level) | $39,930 | $19.20 |
| 25th | $48,620 | $23.38 |
| Median (50th) | $61,000 | $29.33 |
| 75th | $76,560 | $36.81 |
| 90th (top earners) | $88,740 | $42.66 |
*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 St. Louis metro area, here's how an offer compares:
- Below market under $48,620 ($23.38/hr). Fine for a first job in the field, otherwise worth negotiating.
- Typical $48,620 to $76,560 ($23.38 to $36.81/hr). The middle half of what people in this job earn.
- Strong offer over $76,560 ($36.81/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, St. Louis metro. Occupation: Graphic Designers (SOC 27-1024). Figures cover wage and salary workers and don't include bonuses, benefits or overtime.