How long does it take to become a graphic designer?

Typically about four years for the degree. That is the usual route rather than a rule — people arrive by other paths all the time.

How much do graphic designers make?

The US median is $62,960 a year, meaning half earn more and half less. Pay varies widely by state, employer and experience.

Do you need a degree to become a graphic designer?

Yes — a degree is the usual way in.

Where can you train to become a graphic designer?

1,219 US colleges, community colleges and trade schools award credentials in a matching program. See which ones →

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How to become a graphic designer

Arts, design, media & film · SOC 27-1024

$62,960US median pay, 2025

-1.7%Projected growth, 2025–35

16,000Openings per year

DegreeUsual way in

How you get in

A degree is the usual way in.

Bachelor's degree
Work as a graphic designer

Programs that lead to this job

These are the federal program codes (CIP) that the Department of Education maps to this occupation, and how many US colleges, community colleges or trade schools report awarding credentials in each.

Program	Code	Schools
Graphic Design	CIP 50.0409	561
Web Page, Digital/Multimedia and Information Resources Design	CIP 11.0801	343
Design and Visual Communications, General	CIP 50.0401	247
Commercial and Advertising Art	CIP 50.0402	174
Digital Arts	CIP 50.0102	156
Computer Graphics	CIP 11.0803	117
Industrial and Product Design	CIP 50.0404	67

See the 1,219 schools that offer these programs →

Common questions

How long does it take to become a graphic designer?: Typically about four years for the degree. That is the usual route rather than a rule — people arrive by other paths all the time.
How much do graphic designers make?: The US median is $62,960 a year, meaning half earn more and half less. Pay varies widely by state, employer and experience.
Do you need a degree to become a graphic designer?: Yes — a degree is the usual way in.
Where can you train to become a graphic designer?: 1,219 US colleges, community colleges and trade schools award credentials in a matching program. See which ones →

Pay and growth are national figures. What you earn depends on where you work, your employer and your experience, and these are projections rather than promises. Education requirements describe how most people enter the job, not a rule — plenty of people take another route.

Pay, growth, openings and entry requirements: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections 2025–35. Program-to-occupation mapping: NCES CIP–SOC crosswalk (2020/2018). School counts: IPEDS completions, 2022–23.

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