Illustrator Salary Overview
The Illustrator is a sought-after profession in the United States with a median annual salary of $58,640. Compensation typically ranges from $32,200 for entry-level positions to $98,800 for experienced professionals in high-demand markets.Salary Range: The typical Illustrator in the US earns between $32,200 and $98,800 per year, with a median of $58,640.
Illustrator Salary by Experience
Entry-level illustrators earn around $38,116, while those with 10+ years of experience can earn $79,164 or more.
| Level | Salary | Hourly | Take-Home |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry | $35,770 | $17/hr | $30,168 |
| Mid | $58,640 | $28/hr | $47,347 |
| Senior | $82,096 | $39/hr | $62,368 |
| Lead | $90,892 | $44/hr | $67,738 |
Illustrator Salary by State (After Tax)
Gross salary, federal tax, state tax, and estimated take-home pay for a Illustrator in each US state.
Pay for illustrators varies significantly by state, with coastal and high-cost-of-living areas generally offering higher salaries to offset expenses.
| State | Gross | Federal | State Tax | FICA | Take-Home | Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $58,640 | $4,998 | $2,767 | $4,486 | $46,389 | 20.9% |
| Alaska | $58,640 | $4,998 | $0 | $4,486 | $49,156 | 16.2% |
| Arizona | $58,640 | $4,998 | $1,101 | $4,486 | $48,055 | 18.1% |
| Arkansas | $58,640 | $4,998 | $2,354 | $4,486 | $46,802 | 20.2% |
| California | $58,640 | $4,998 | $1,809 | $4,486 | $47,347 | 19.3% |
| Colorado | $58,640 | $4,998 | $1,920 | $4,486 | $47,236 | 19.4% |
| Connecticut | $58,640 | $4,998 | $2,475 | $4,486 | $46,681 | 20.4% |
| Delaware | $58,640 | $4,998 | $2,688 | $4,486 | $46,468 | 20.8% |
| District of Columbia | $58,640 | $4,998 | $2,463 | $4,486 | $46,693 | 20.4% |
| Florida | $58,640 | $4,998 | $0 | $4,486 | $49,156 | 16.2% |
| Georgia | $58,640 | $4,998 | $2,561 | $4,486 | $46,595 | 20.5% |
| Hawaii | $58,640 | $4,998 | $3,910 | $4,486 | $45,246 | 22.8% |
| Idaho | $58,640 | $4,998 | $2,554 | $4,486 | $46,601 | 20.5% |
| Illinois | $58,640 | $4,998 | $2,765 | $4,486 | $46,390 | 20.9% |
| Indiana | $58,640 | $4,998 | $1,789 | $4,486 | $47,367 | 19.2% |
| Iowa | $58,640 | $4,998 | $2,228 | $4,486 | $46,927 | 20.0% |
| Kansas | $58,640 | $4,998 | $2,685 | $4,486 | $46,470 | 20.8% |
| Kentucky | $58,640 | $4,998 | $2,219 | $4,486 | $46,937 | 20.0% |
| Louisiana | $58,640 | $4,998 | $1,911 | $4,486 | $47,245 | 19.4% |
| Maine | $58,640 | $4,998 | $2,725 | $4,486 | $46,431 | 20.8% |
| Maryland | $58,640 | $4,998 | $2,612 | $4,486 | $46,544 | 20.6% |
| Massachusetts | $58,640 | $4,998 | $2,712 | $4,486 | $46,444 | 20.8% |
| Michigan | $58,640 | $4,998 | $2,254 | $4,486 | $46,902 | 20.0% |
| Minnesota | $58,640 | $4,998 | $2,537 | $4,486 | $46,619 | 20.5% |
| Mississippi | $58,640 | $4,998 | $2,178 | $4,486 | $46,978 | 19.9% |
| Missouri | $58,640 | $4,998 | $1,944 | $4,486 | $47,212 | 19.5% |
| Montana | $58,640 | $4,998 | $2,352 | $4,486 | $46,803 | 20.2% |
| Nebraska | $58,640 | $4,998 | $1,904 | $4,486 | $47,252 | 19.4% |
| Nevada | $58,640 | $4,998 | $0 | $4,486 | $49,156 | 16.2% |
| New Hampshire | $58,640 | $4,998 | $0 | $4,486 | $49,156 | 16.2% |
| New Jersey | $58,640 | $4,998 | $1,747 | $4,486 | $47,408 | 19.2% |
| New Mexico | $58,640 | $4,998 | $1,878 | $4,486 | $47,277 | 19.4% |
| New York | $58,640 | $4,998 | $2,749 | $4,486 | $46,407 | 20.9% |
| North Carolina | $58,640 | $4,998 | $2,065 | $4,486 | $47,091 | 19.7% |
| North Dakota | $58,640 | $4,998 | $859 | $4,486 | $48,297 | 17.6% |
| Ohio | $58,640 | $4,998 | $895 | $4,486 | $48,261 | 17.7% |
| Oklahoma | $58,640 | $4,998 | $2,295 | $4,486 | $46,860 | 20.1% |
| Oregon | $58,640 | $4,998 | $4,606 | $4,486 | $44,550 | 24.0% |
| Pennsylvania | $58,640 | $4,998 | $1,800 | $4,486 | $47,355 | 19.2% |
| Rhode Island | $58,640 | $4,998 | $1,803 | $4,486 | $47,352 | 19.2% |
| South Carolina | $58,640 | $4,998 | $2,126 | $4,486 | $47,030 | 19.8% |
| South Dakota | $58,640 | $4,998 | $0 | $4,486 | $49,156 | 16.2% |
| Tennessee | $58,640 | $4,998 | $0 | $4,486 | $49,156 | 16.2% |
| Texas | $58,640 | $4,998 | $0 | $4,486 | $49,156 | 16.2% |
| Utah | $58,640 | $4,998 | $2,727 | $4,486 | $46,429 | 20.8% |
| Vermont | $58,640 | $4,998 | $1,929 | $4,486 | $47,226 | 19.5% |
| Virginia | $58,640 | $4,998 | $2,856 | $4,486 | $46,300 | 21.0% |
| Washington | $58,640 | $4,998 | $0 | $4,486 | $49,156 | 16.2% |
| West Virginia | $58,640 | $4,998 | $2,119 | $4,486 | $47,036 | 19.8% |
| Wisconsin | $58,640 | $4,998 | $2,020 | $4,486 | $47,136 | 19.6% |
| Wyoming | $58,640 | $4,998 | $0 | $4,486 | $49,156 | 16.2% |
Top Cities for Illustrator Pay
The highest-paying metro areas for illustrators tend to be major metropolitan centers with strong industry demand and higher costs of living.
| City | Avg Salary |
|---|---|
| San Francisco, CA | $64,504 |
| New York, NY | $64,504 |
| Seattle, WA | $64,504 |
| Boston, MA | $64,504 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $64,504 |
Calculate Illustrator Take-Home Pay
Adjust the state and filing status to see your estimated after-tax income.
Estimated Take-Home Pay
--
--
--
Gross Annual
--
Total Tax
--
Tax Breakdown
Federal Income Tax
--
State Tax
--
Social Security
--
Medicare
--
Tax Distribution
Calculating...
Pay Frequency Breakdown
| Period | Gross | Tax | Net |
|---|---|---|---|
| Calculating... | |||
How to Become a Illustrator
Becoming a illustrator typically requires relevant education, training, or certification in the field. Many employers also value practical experience, professional development, and industry-specific credentials.Illustrator Career Outlook
Employment of illustrators is projected to grow steadily over the next decade, driven by continued demand across industries. Professionals who stay current with evolving requirements and build specialized expertise will find the strongest job prospects.Illustrator Salary FAQ
The median annual salary for illustrators in the US is $58,640, with a typical range from $32,200 to $98,800 depending on experience and location.
The highest-paying states for illustrators include CA, NY, WA. These states typically have strong demand and higher costs of living.
Entry-level illustrators can expect to earn around $38,116 per year, with salary increasing as they gain experience and expertise.
Being a illustrator can be a rewarding career with solid compensation and growth potential. Job outlook is generally positive across most regions.
The median hourly rate for illustrators is approximately $28.19, though this varies based on experience, location, and employer.