Official pay data
Updated 11 October 2026
Salary guide
Official annual estimates for the whole country, mapped to the closest published occupation.
United Kingdom · gross annual earnings estimate
25th percentile
£26,854
Median
£32,510
75th percentile
£40,000
This ASHE benchmark covers full-time employee jobs, not self-employed income or part-time jobs. ASHE gross earnings include basic pay, overtime, incentive pay such as bonuses and commissions, shift premiums, and other cash pay. They are before deductions, exclude payments in kind, and are not take-home pay or the whole benefits package. Compare the benchmark with an offer on the same working-hours and annual-pay basis.
This is a country-level occupation benchmark, not a local offer estimate. Pay can differ by location, employer, duties, and working pattern.
Source: ONS, 2025-04-30. Mapped to Graphic and multimedia designers; the occupation is broader than the page role. Figures are estimates, not advertised salaries.
This national benchmark maps Graphic Designer to the broader occupation of graphic and multimedia designers in full-time employee jobs. It is a useful reference when the role centres on visual communication and developing concepts from an agreed brief. Treat it as context rather than an exact estimate for every Graphic Designer offer, particularly where junior and senior responsibilities differ.
Benchmark fit
The mapped occupation, Graphic and multimedia designers, is a sensible broad benchmark for a Graphic Designer whose work involves visual communication across print and digital channels and developing concepts against a brief.
The comparison stops short of treating every adjacent creative or technical role as equivalent. Copywriters, photographers, illustrators, web developers, and advertising and marketing specialists may work alongside graphic designers, but collaboration does not make them the same occupation.
Role scope
Graphic designers create visual communications for print and digital channels and develop concepts from an agreed brief to meet client objectives.
Use colour, composition, layout and typography in creative work. · Develop concepts after agreeing a brief with a client, creative director or account manager. · Work on new ideas and create content for a range of projects after progressing beyond junior roles.
Visual communications for print and digital channels. · Concepts that respond to an agreed brief and client objectives.
Typically assists senior designers while developing skills and knowledge.
Takes a more strategic role, leads projects and mentors junior designers.
Read the range
When comparing an offer, separate the day-to-day role from the title alone: a graphic designer may be developing concepts and content for projects, while a senior graphic designer may also lead projects and mentor junior designers. The national occupational benchmark remains a broad reference, not a salary scale for those responsibility changes.
One quarter of employees earn below this figure.
Half of employees earn below this figure and half above it; it is not the arithmetic midpoint of the displayed range.
One quarter of employees earn above this figure.
Career stage
Assists senior designers while building skills and knowledge.
Works on new ideas and creates content for a range of projects.
Takes a more strategic role, leads projects and mentors junior designers.
Location
Supplementary regional medians are available for several UK regions, which can provide added context alongside the national benchmark.
| Region | 25th percentile | Median | 75th percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| East | Not published | £25,594 | Not published |
| East Midlands | Not published | £27,475 | Not published |
| London | Not published | £41,410 | Not published |
| North East | Not published | £25,946 | Not published |
| North West | Not published | £32,061 | Not published |
| Scotland | Not published | £33,279 | Not published |
| South East | Not published | £31,798 | Not published |
| South West | Not published | £31,830 | Not published |
| Wales | Not published | £32,303 | Not published |
| West Midlands | Not published | £32,913 | Not published |
| Yorkshire and The Humber | Not published | £26,985 | Not published |
This is a country-level occupation benchmark, not a local offer estimate. Pay can differ by location, employer, duties and working pattern.
Beyond salary
Compare the offered annual cash pay with the benchmark on the same working-hours basis. Then separate fixed pay from overtime, bonuses, commission, shift premiums and other conditional cash payments; assess benefits under their own terms rather than folding them into salary.
Ask what portion of the stated figure is basic pay rather than a payment that depends on hours, performance or other conditions.
If overtime, bonus, commission or shift premiums are offered, ask how eligibility, calculation and payment timing work before comparing the total with an offer without them.
Check the separate terms for any pension, health cover, leave or equity offered, because payments in kind and the wider benefits package are not cash earnings.
Offer review
Questions
Source
Source: ONS, 2025-04-30. The figures cover Graphic and multimedia designers (2142) and full time employee jobs. Updated 11 October 2026. This broad occupation benchmark may not match every Graphic Designer vacancy.
Put the benchmark to work
Use the salary range as context. Tailor your CV around the experience that supports your target level.
