CreativeUpdated Q1 2026

Graphic Designer Salary
in Virginia Beach, VA

Create visual concepts using design software to communicate ideas through images and layouts. Median salary in Virginia Beach: $53K/year. Data from BLS, O*NET, and H-1B disclosures.

Median salary
$53K
per year
Take-home: $34K

Salary range in Virginia Beach

Entry level (25th)$39,000
Median (50th)$53,000
Senior (75th)$72,000
Top earner (90th)$94,000
Data freshness

Figures represent annual base salary in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Reviewed by SalaryOptics Editorial Β· How we calculate this β†’

Help build this dataset. Add your own Graphic Designer salary so other workers in Virginia Beach have better numbers to work with.
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What the numbers say for Virginia Beach

Analysis derived from the salary, COL, tax, and labor-market figures above β€” specific to this role and city.

9% discount vs national median

Graphic Designers in Virginia Beach earn approximately 9% lower than the US national median for this role β€” a $5,000 discount on annual base salary. Virginia Beach's lower wage level partially reflects the area's cost-of-living index of 98 (US avg = 100).

Cost-of-living adjusted picture

Adjusted for Virginia Beach's cost-of-living index (98), the median Graphic Designer salary buys the equivalent of $54,082 in a US-average-cost city. That's $3,918 less purchasing power than the national median β€” the higher nominal salary doesn't fully offset local costs.

68% remote-eligible

This role is 68% remote-eligible nationally according to job-posting analysis, which significantly expands the job market for Virginia Beach-based Graphic Designers. Many Virginia Beach professionals in this role are paid on the locality scale of their employer's HQ rather than Virginia Beach's local rate β€” verify which scale your offer references before negotiating.

Key facts for Virginia Beach

Median salary
$53K
annual
Take-home pay
$34K
after fed/state tax
COL index
98
100 = US avg
State income tax
5.75%
effective rate
Avg 1BR rent
$1,400
per month
YoY growth
+3%
salary trend

Salary forecast: Virginia Beach Graphic Designer to 2030

Based on BLS 2022–2032 Employment Projections and WEF Future of Jobs Report 2026. At current growth rates, median salary reaches $53K by 2030.

Salary trend & forecast β€” Virginia Beach

Historical (2019–2025) + projected to 2030 based on BLS growth rates

HistoricalProjected
Graphic Designer salary trend 2019–2030PROJECTED β†’$44K$48K$52K$56K$60K201920212023202520272029
2026
$54K
projected
2027
$56K
projected
2028
$57K
projected
2029
$59K
projected
2030
$60K
projected

Projections based on BLS Employment Projections 2022–2032 CAGR and WEF Jobs Report 2025. Not financial advice.

YearProjected median salaryvs today
2027 projected$53,000+$0
2028 projected$53,000+$0
2029 projected$53,000+$0
2030 projected$53,000+$0

Projections use compound annual growth rate (CAGR) from BLS occupational outlook data. Actual salaries may vary.

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Graphic Designer Salary in Virginia Beach, Virginia: Complete Guide (2026)

The median Graphic Designer salary in Virginia Beach, VA is $53,000 per year as of Q1 2026. This figure represents the midpoint of all reported compensation for this role in the Virginia Beach–VA metropolitan area, based on data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment Statistics, H-1B visa disclosures from the Department of Labor, and O*NET occupational data.

Salary range for Graphic Designer in Virginia Beach

Entry-level Graphic Designers in Virginia Beach with 0–2 years of experience typically earn between $39,000 and $53,000 annually. Mid-career professionals with 3–7 years command $53,000 to $72,000, while senior-level practitioners with 8+ years of experience regularly earn $72,000 to $94,000 or more.

Cost of living in Virginia Beach for Graphic Designers

Virginia Beach has a cost of living index of 98 compared to the US national average of 100. This means your salary goes approximately 2% further in Virginia Beach than the national average. Virginia has a 5.75% state income tax rate.

Education requirements for Graphic Designer

Bachelor's in Graphic Design or Fine Arts. This role is 68% remote-eligible nationally, which can significantly expand the job market for Virginia Beach-based professionals.

Graphic Designer salary in nearby cities

CityMedian salaryCOL index
Virginia Beach (current)$53K98
Norfolk$55K95
Chesapeake$57K98
Richmond$55K98
Newport News$55K95
Arlington$68K148