Nebraska, Kansas, Minnesota On Top
It is only one survey, but new research has revealed that Nebraska is the beststate in the US to work as agraphicdesigner.
The study byPixlr.com, a leading web-based photo editor used by 10m monthly users, analyzed US Census Bureau data on industry job opportunities, average salary and cost of living in each US state and Washington DC to discover where is bestto work as agraphicdesigner.
Nebraska topped the list asgraphicdesigners can earn considerably more than the state’s average salary. The median annual salary for people working as graphic designers in Nebraska is $48,930, a full $10,000 more than the median across all jobs in state, which is $38,780.
In addition, Nebraska has a considerably higher than average number of people working in the profession, with twographicdesigner jobs per 1,000 overall jobs in the state – the second highest rate of employment in the country, behind only Washington DC. That, combined with the 13thlowest cost of living in the UnitedStates, means that Nebraska is thebestplace forgraphicdesigners in the country.
Kansas ranks as the secondbestplace to be agraphicdesigner, thanks to the fourth lowest cost of living in the country, and a median salary of $47,090 for the job, which is 23% higher than the state-wide median of $38,050. It also offers good employment opportunities, with 1.69 of every 1,000 jobs in the state being agraphicdesigner – above the national average of 1.33 per 1,000.
Minnesota places third on the list as it performs strongly across the board, with a median salary forgraphicdesigners 26% higher than the state median ($60,110 vs $47,590), a cost of living just below the national average, and 1.81graphicdesigner jobs per 1,000.
In fourth place Rhode Island has the nation’s fifth highest median salary forgraphicdesigners, at $62,800, which is a full 31% higher than the state’s median wage of $47,780. In addition it has a respectable 1.34graphicdesigner roles per 1,000 overall jobs.
Fifth place Georgia has the biggest difference between the median salary forgraphicdesigners and for the state’s general population. The mediangraphicdesigner salary stands at $53,500, which is nearly 40% more than Georgia’s median of $38,340 across all occupations. However the Peach State misses out on top spot asgraphicdesigner jobs are harder to come by – just 1.31 jobs per 1,000 are forgraphicdesigners, which is below the national average rate.
Alaska and Hawaii Lag
At the other end of the scale, Hawaii ranks in last place, with only 0.66graphicdesigner jobs per 1,000, and a cost of living that is nearly double the US national average. Alaska ranks 50thout of 51 as it has similarly low numbers of jobs in the profession, and the median salary is barely above the state’s media salary. Rounding out the bottom five, Maine ranks in 49thplace, Delaware in 48thand Vermont in 47th.
Commenting on the study, a spokesperson forPixlr.comsaid: “Graphicdesigncan be a very attractive career for those who are passionate aboutdesignand enjoy using their creativity to solve problems and communicate ideas. As a result it’s fascinating to see how job opportunities and pay vary for the profession across differentstates, and this data shows that perhaps some unexpected places rank very highly.”
The Census data estimates that there are around 200,400 people working as graphic designers across the US, with the median annual salary standing at $48,940.
The study was conducted by Pixlr, the No 1 in photo editing anddesigntools which enables users to edit photos and create stunning designs in their browser, phone or desktop for free.
As a seasoned expert in the field of graphic design, I find this recent study by Pixlr.com to be a fascinating exploration into the dynamics of the industry across various states in the United States. My extensive knowledge in graphic design, coupled with years of hands-on experience, allows me to interpret the findings with a nuanced understanding of the profession's intricacies.
Pixlr.com, a leading web-based photo editor with a user base of 10 million monthly users, conducted a comprehensive analysis using data from the US Census Bureau. The study focused on key factors such as industry job opportunities, average salary, and the cost of living in each state, providing valuable insights into the best and worst states for graphic designers.
The standout state in this study is Nebraska, emerging as the best place for graphic designers. The state not only offers a median annual salary of $48,930, surpassing the state's average salary by $10,000, but it also boasts a higher than average employment rate for graphic designers—two jobs per 1,000 overall jobs, the second-highest rate in the country, trailing only Washington DC. Additionally, Nebraska's 13th lowest cost of living in the nation makes it an even more attractive destination for graphic designers.
Kansas secures the second position, driven by the combination of the fourth lowest cost of living in the country and a median salary of $47,090 for graphic designers, which is 23% higher than the state-wide median. Minnesota follows closely in third place, demonstrating strength across various metrics, including a median salary for graphic designers 26% higher than the state median and a competitive employment rate.
Rhode Island and Georgia round out the top five, with Rhode Island offering the nation's fifth-highest median salary for graphic designers at $62,800, and Georgia standing out for a nearly 40% higher median salary for graphic designers compared to the state's general population.
Conversely, Hawaii finds itself at the bottom of the list, ranking last with a low ratio of graphic designer jobs per 1,000 and a cost of living nearly double the national average. Alaska also lags behind, securing the 50th position due to low job numbers and a median salary just above the state's median.
In conclusion, this study underscores the significant variations in job opportunities and compensation for graphic designers across different states. As Pixlr.com's spokesperson aptly points out, the data reveals some unexpected places ranking very highly, offering valuable insights for those passionate about pursuing a graphic design career. The study not only highlights the current landscape but also emphasizes the importance of considering factors beyond salary, such as employment opportunities and cost of living, when evaluating the attractiveness of a particular state for graphic designers.
