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DATA PROFILE · 2025

Graphic Designers salary in Tennessee

Median, range, employment, and 10-year outlook from BLS Occupational Employment Statistics, with skills and task data from O*NET. Cost-of-living adjustment from BEA Regional Price Parities.

Adrian Serafin, founder and editor of RateOrchardBy Adrian SerafinFounderUpdated June 12, 2026
Last refreshed: Jun 12, 2026

Graphic Designers in Tennessee. BLS OES + DOL OFLC + reader-reported submissions. How this is built →

Median annual$57,270
Mean annual$62,670
Range (10th to 90th)$37,910 to $92,540
Tennessee employment3,880
State vs national-11.6% vs national

Salary distribution

Where Tennessee graphic designers fall on the wage curve.

Annual wage distribution

Shaded band = interquartile range (where most full-time workers fall)

10TH$37,91025TH$47,510MEDIAN$57,27075TH$75,17090TH$92,540

The middle 50% of workers earn between $47,510 and $75,170, with a median of $57,270.

Real disclosed salaries

Graphic Designers in Tennessee: actual employer-disclosed pay

Public records from 5 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. Median offered wage: $56,180. Every figure below is an actual offered salary an employer attested to under federal law.

By DOL wage level

DOL classifies every offer into one of four wage levels based on the role's experience and skill requirements.

LevelFilingsMedian offer
Level II — qualified1$56,180
Level III — experienced2$55,006
Level IV — fully competent2$113,219

Top employers filing for this role

Companies with the most certified filings for Graphic Designers in Tennessee. Median offer is across all of that employer's filings.

EmployerMost-filed titleFilingsMedian
Federal Express CorporationSenior Creative Specialist1$54,392
Good Juju InkSenior Graphic Designer1$55,619
LeanTaaS, Inc.Senior Product Designer1$161,000
Studio Freight LLCSenior Brand Designer1$65,437
The University of Tennessee Health Science CenterGraphic Designer1$56,180

Recent sample filings

A snapshot of recent certified offers. Each line is a real, public, verifiable record.

  • Senior Brand Designer at Studio Freight LLC
    $65,437
    NiotaWage Level IVDecided Mar 10, 2026I-202-26062-675759
  • Senior Graphic Designer at Good Juju Ink
    $55,619
    NashvilleWage Level IIIDecided Mar 26, 2025I-200-25078-788318
  • Senior Creative Specialist at Federal Express Corporation
    $54,392
    MemphisWage Level IIIDecided Jan 17, 2025I-200-25011-612240
  • Graphic Designer at The University of Tennessee Health Science Center
    $56,180
    MemphisWage Level IIDecided Dec 30, 2024I-200-24354-559138
  • Senior Product Designer at LeanTaaS, Inc.
    $161,000
    McminnvilleWage Level IVDecided Oct 28, 2024I-200-24295-421510

Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Foreign Labor Certification. Disclosed wages reflect what employers attested to pay; actual paid wages may differ. Only certified filings are shown — denied and withdrawn cases are excluded.

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By seniority

Graphic Designers pay by experience level in Tennessee

Each band reflects DOL Wage Levels I-IV mapped onto a four-step ladder. Click a level to see the disclosed-wage range for that segment.

Pay by industry

Graphic Designers in Tennessee, by industry

Median offered wage across 5 certified filings, grouped by NAICS industry sector. Education leads with a median of $56,180.

IndustryLargest employerFilingsMedian offer
EducationThe University of Tennessee Health Science Center1$56,180
Professional servicesStudio Freight LLC1$65,437
Retail and wholesaleGood Juju Ink1$55,619
Technology and softwareLeanTaaS, Inc.1$161,000
Transportation and logisticsFederal Express Corporation1$54,392

Sectors with at least 25 filings link to a dedicated page with full distribution and sample employer breakdown.

Wage trend

Median annual wage in Tennessee over the past 3 BLS OES releases. Real values are CPI-adjusted to 2025 dollars.

Median annual wage, Tennessee2023 to 2025
$47,7402023$51,7402024$57,2702025

Typical entry

  • Education

    Bachelor's degree

  • Experience

    None

  • On-the-job training

    None

Top skills (O*NET)

  • Design

    Knowledge

    4.7 / 5
  • Computers and Electronics

    Knowledge

    4.4 / 5
  • Fine Arts

    Knowledge

    4.4 / 5
  • Communications and Media

    Knowledge

    4.3 / 5
  • Originality

    Ability

    4.0 / 5
  • Fluency of Ideas

    Ability

    3.9 / 5
  • Near Vision

    Ability

    3.9 / 5
  • English Language

    Knowledge

    3.8 / 5

Common tasks (O*NET)

  1. 01

    Key information into computer equipment to create layouts for client or supervisor.

  2. 02

    Review final layouts and suggest improvements, as needed.

  3. 03

    Determine size and arrangement of illustrative material and copy, and select style and size of type.

  4. 04

    Develop graphics and layouts for product illustrations, company logos, and Web sites.

  5. 05

    Create designs, concepts, and sample layouts, based on knowledge of layout principles and esthetic design concepts.

  6. 06

    Use computer software to generate new images.

  7. 07

    Prepare digital files for printing.

  8. 08

    Confer with clients to discuss and determine layout design.

10-year outlook

Growth 2024 → 2034

+2.1%

Projected annual openings

BLS outlook

Average growth

Source: BLS Employment Projections, 20242034 cycle.

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Top metros in Tennessee

Metro-level salary data for graphic designers in major Tennessee metropolitan areas.

Compare Graphic Designers pay across nearby states

Side-by-side

Considering a move? Compare Tennessee with another state

Frequently asked questions

What is the median salary for Graphic Designers in Tennessee?
According to BLS Occupational Employment Statistics, the median annual wage for Graphic Designers in Tennessee is $57,270.
How does Tennessee compare to the national median for Graphic Designers?
The Tennessee median is -11.6% versus the BLS national figure of $64,771.
What is the salary range for Graphic Designers in Tennessee?
BLS reports the 10th-percentile annual wage at $37,910 and the 90th-percentile at $92,540, which captures most full-time workers in the role.
Is Graphic Designers a growing field?
BLS Employment Projections show employment growing by 2.1% over the projection cycle. See the 10-year outlook section above for details.
What education is required for Graphic Designers?
BLS lists the typical entry-level education as Bachelor's degree. Many employers also weigh prior experience and credentials.
Disclaimer

Information on this page is for general educational purposes only. It is not career, financial, or tax advice. Wage data reflects BLS estimates for the reference year shown and may not match individual offers, employer-specific ranges, or current market conditions. Confirm with a licensed professional before making career or compensation decisions.