90% OFF - $9.99
11:59:59
Claim Lifetime Deal
2026 Salary Data — Memphis, TN
Updated April 28, 2026

Graphic Designer Salary in Memphis: $53K Median

Graphic Designers in Memphis, TN earn between $35K and $84K per year.

That's -12% below the US national median of $60,230 for this role.

Quick Answer

As of April 2026, the median Graphic Designer salary in Memphis, TN is $53,002 per year — -12% below the US national median of $60,230. Salaries range from $35,200 (entry, 25th percentile) to $83,600 (90th percentile). Graphic Designers in Memphis earned approximately $12,046 in 2025, representing 340.0% year-over-year growth.

Median
$53,002
+340.0% YoY · $4,417/mo
Entry
$35,200
0–2 years
Experienced
$70,400
5+ years
Top 10%
$83,600
Senior/lead
Graphic Designer Salary — Memphis vs Nearby
Memphis
$53K
Nashville
$60K
-12% vs Memphis
El Paso
$51K
+4% vs Memphis
Tulsa
$53K
+0% vs Memphis

Free ATS scan · Memphis employers · Results in 60 seconds

About Graphic Designers in Memphis

Graphic designers create visual concepts using software to communicate ideas through advertising, brand, and marketing materials.

Core Responsibilities

  • Visual identity design
  • Layout design (print/digital)
  • Brand consistency
  • Adobe Creative Suite mastery
  • Client collaboration

Education & Certifications

Typical path: Bachelor's degree (or strong portfolio)

In-demand certifications

Adobe Certified ProfessionalGoogle UX Design

Memphis Job Market

Logistics capital home to FedEx headquarters with major healthcare presence.

Population
633K
Cost of Living
85
vs 100 US avg
Unemployment
4.5%
Median Home
$175K

Top Industries in Memphis

Logistics (FedEx)HealthcareManufacturingMusic/Tourism

Top Employers Hiring Graphic Designers

Major employers active in Memphis or hiring remotely from this metro.

Advertising agencies
In-house creative teams
Publishers
Tech companies
E-commerce brands

All major employers use ATS software.

Workday, Greenhouse, Taleo, and iCIMS auto-screen 75% of resumes before a human ever sees them. Scan your resume free to see your match rate.

2026 Hot Skills & Resume Keywords

Skills that command salary premiums and pass ATS keyword filters.

Hottest 2026 Skills

These appear in the highest-paying Graphic Designer listings.

AI-assisted designMotion graphicsBrand strategy3D designUI/UX

ATS Resume Keywords

Include these naturally throughout your resume.

Adobe PhotoshopIllustratorInDesignFigmatypographybrand identitylayout design
Career Outlook
+2% Growth Projected (2024-2034)

Graphic designer growth slowing as AI tools automate basic design. Top designers (UI, brand) commanding higher salaries.

Graphic Designer Salary Breakdown — Memphis

PeriodEntry (25th)Median (50th)Top (90th)
Annual$35,200$53,002$83,600
Monthly$2,933$4,417$6,967
Weekly$677$1,019$1,608
Hourly$17$25$40

Based on 2080 working hours/year. Local figures derived from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics national median ($60,230) adjusted for Memphis's cost-of-living multiplier (0.88×, sourced from BEA Regional Price Parities).

Graphic Designer Take-Home Pay in Memphis

After federal, state and FICA taxes — single filer, standard deduction.

Net Annual Take-Home
$44,577.607
Per month$3,715
Biweekly paycheck$1,715
Effective tax rate15.9%

Tax Breakdown on $53,002

Gross salary$53,002
Federal income tax−$4,369.74
Tennessee state tax−$0
FICA (Social Security + Medicare)−$4,054.653
Take-home (net)$44,577.607

Estimates assume single filer, standard deduction ($14,600 for 2026), no 401(k)/HSA/dependents. Actual take-home varies with deductions, dependents, and benefits elections. Not tax advice.

Graphic Designer Salary by Experience — Memphis

Career-stage progression for Graphic Designers in Memphis.

ExperienceAnnual Salary
0–1 yr$32,384
2–3 yr$35,200
4–6 yr$52,800
7–10 yr$70,400
11–15 yr$83,072
15+ yr$77,000

Curve derived from BLS percentile data adjusted for Memphis's 0.88× cost-of-living multiplier. Highlighted row = 7–10 year experienced level.

Year-Over-Year Trend

+340.0% vs 2025

2025 median:$12,046
2026 median:$53,002
Change:+$40,956

Design sector growth driven by demand for AI-assisted design and Motion graphics.

Is This A Good Salary?

Livable middle-class

Cost-adjusted, this is a workable middle-class salary. Budgeting matters - dual-income households fare materially better, and saving for a down payment will take discipline.

COL-Adjusted Purchasing Power
$62,355
Comfortable lifestyle with strong savings potential - the median paycheck stretches well above the national average here.

How to Negotiate Your Graphic Designer Salary in Memphis

Walk-away anchor: $47,323 (offers below this are below market for Memphis).

Leverage Points

  • Portfolio impact: ship metrics, before/after redesigns, A/B test wins
  • Design-systems leadership and tokens / Figma library ownership
  • Tech-adjacent skills (Figma plugins, code, AI tooling) raise compensation
  • Senior/staff/principal design ladders mirror engineering pay - cite them

Beyond Base Salary, Negotiate

RSU / equity grant aligned with engineering ladderAnnual hardware refresh (Mac, monitor, iPad)Software / Figma / Adobe license budgetConference budget (Config, FITC) and learning stipendRemote-first flexibility

What To Say

"Senior product designers at peer SaaS companies are at $X plus equity. I'd like base in that range plus an RSU grant aligned with engineering at the same level."

Anchor on $70K–$84K for experienced roles, citing Memphis market data and your specific AI-assisted design/Motion graphics expertise.

Graphic Designer Salary FAQ — Memphis

What is the average Graphic Designer salary in Memphis, TN?
The average Graphic Designer salary in Memphis is $53,002 per year as of April 2026 — $4,417/month, $1,019/week, or about $25/hour. Salaries range from $35,200 (entry, 25th percentile) up to $83,600 (experienced, 90th percentile). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics adjusted for Memphis's cost-of-living multiplier (0.88×).
Is $53,002 a good Graphic Designer salary in Memphis?
Livable middle-class. Cost-adjusted, this is a workable middle-class salary. Budgeting matters - dual-income households fare materially better, and saving for a down payment will take discipline. Memphis's cost-of-living index is 85 (vs 100 nationally), giving $53,002 a real purchasing power of approximately $62,355 in national terms. Comfortable lifestyle with strong savings potential - the median paycheck stretches well above the national average here.
Can you live on $53,002 in Memphis?
Median local pay typically supports a single-earner family of four with a starter home, modest college savings, and standard healthcare costs covered. Stay under 25% of pre-tax income on rent. In this market, that is realistic on most professional salaries and leaves room for retirement contributions. For Memphis specifically (median home price $175,000), a $53,002 salary supports a moderate lifestyle with careful budgeting.
Is $53,002 enough for a single person in Memphis?
A single adult in Memphis typically needs ~$38,250 for a comfortable lifestyle (housing, food, transport, healthcare, modest savings). A $53,002 salary is above that threshold — a single person can live comfortably with reasonable budgeting.
Is $53,002 enough for a couple in Memphis?
A couple (one earner) in Memphis typically needs ~$61,200 for a comfortable lifestyle. A $53,002 salary as the sole household income is below the comfortable threshold — most couples at this level need both partners working or significant lifestyle adjustments. Two earners at $53,002 each ($106,004 household) provides solid middle-class comfort.
Is $53,002 enough for a family of 4 in Memphis?
A family of 4 (one earner) in Memphis typically needs ~$93,500 for a comfortable middle-class lifestyle (housing for 4, childcare/school, food, healthcare, transport, savings). A $53,002 salary as the sole household income is below the comfortable threshold — most families need a second income or to live in cheaper suburbs/exurbs of Memphis. Childcare costs in Memphis typically run $13K-$24K per child per year.
What is the take-home pay for a Graphic Designer in Memphis?
On a $53,002 Graphic Designer salary in Memphis, TN, you take home approximately $44,577.607 per year ($3,715/month, $1,715 per biweekly paycheck) after taxes. Breakdown: federal $4,369.74, state $0, FICA $4,054.653. Effective tax rate: 15.9%. (Single filer, standard deduction, no other adjustments.)
How much do Graphic Designers in Memphis earn compared to the US average?
Graphic Designers in Memphis earn approximately 12% less than the US national median for this role ($60,230 nationally vs $53,002 in Memphis). However, Memphis's cost-of-living index of 85 means real purchasing power is approximately $62,355 when adjusted for local prices.
What does an entry-level Graphic Designer earn in Memphis?
Entry-level Graphic Designers in Memphis typically start at around $35,200 (0–2 years experience). With 5+ years, Graphic Designers earn $70,400 or more. Top earners (90th percentile) reach $83,600+, typically at senior or lead levels with specialized skills.
Did Graphic Designer salaries in Memphis increase in 2026?
Yes — Graphic Designer salaries in Memphis grew approximately 340.0% year-over-year, from $12,046 in 2025 to $53,002 in 2026 (+$40,956). This reflects the broader Design sector's compensation trend, driven by AI-assisted design and Motion graphics demand.
What's the job outlook for Graphic Designers in Memphis?
Graphic designer growth slowing as AI tools automate basic design. Top designers (UI, brand) commanding higher salaries. Memphis's top industries include Logistics (FedEx), Healthcare, Manufacturing, and the metro's current unemployment rate is 4.5% — steady demand for skilled workers.
What skills are most in demand for Graphic Designers in 2026?
The hottest 2026 skills for Graphic Designers are: AI-assisted design, Motion graphics, Brand strategy, 3D design, UI/UX. ATS systems specifically scan for these keywords. Adding them to your resume — naturally and in context — significantly improves your match rate with employers in Memphis.
Who are the top employers hiring Graphic Designers in Memphis?
Top employers hiring Graphic Designers in or near Memphis include: Advertising agencies, In-house creative teams, Publishers, Tech companies, E-commerce brands. Most use ATS software (Workday, Greenhouse, Taleo, iCIMS) to screen resumes — meaning your resume must be ATS-optimized to even get a human reader.
How do I negotiate a higher Graphic Designer salary in Memphis?
Senior product designers at peer SaaS companies are at $X plus equity. I'd like base in that range plus an RSU grant aligned with engineering at the same level. Key leverage points for Design negotiations: Portfolio impact: ship metrics, before/after redesigns, A/B test wins; Design-systems leadership and tokens / Figma library ownership; Tech-adjacent skills (Figma plugins, code, AI tooling) raise compensation. Beyond base salary, negotiate for: RSU / equity grant aligned with engineering ladder, Annual hardware refresh (Mac, monitor, iPad), Software / Figma / Adobe license budget, Conference budget (Config, FITC) and learning stipend.
How can I increase my Graphic Designer salary in Memphis?
Three highest-leverage moves: (1) Add 2026's hot skills (AI-assisted design, Motion graphics, Brand strategy) — they command 15-30% premiums. (2) Get a recognized certification (e.g., Adobe Certified Professional or Google UX Design). (3) Tailor your resume to each role's keywords — CVCraft's ATS scanner shows you exactly what's missing.
What education do I need to become a Graphic Designer in Memphis?
Bachelor's degree (or strong portfolio) is the typical path. However, Memphis's competitive market increasingly values demonstrable skills, portfolios, and certifications alongside (or in place of) traditional degrees — particularly for Design roles.

Methodology & Sources

Graphic Designer salary figures for Memphis are computed by adjusting the BLS national median ($60,230) by Memphis's cost-of-living multiplier of 0.88× — a composite of regional wage data and price parities. Year-over-year change (340.0%) reflects the Design sector's 2025-2026 wage growth per BLS Employment Cost Index trends. Last reviewed April 28, 2026.

Data Sources

Related Roles in Memphis

UX Designer →

Graphic Designer Salary in Other Cities

Jacksonville, FL$55KEl Paso, TX$51KNashville, TN$60KOklahoma City, OK$53KLouisville, KY$55KAlbuquerque, NM$54KTucson, AZ$54KTulsa, OK$53K

Land a $53K+ Graphic Designer Role in Memphis

Knowing the salary is step one. Step two: getting past the ATS. CVCraft scans your resume, finds missing keywords, and fixes formatting issues in 60 seconds.

Scan My Resume Free

No signup required · Works for all Design roles