How much does a designer make in Seattle?
$61,670a year
Median yearly pay for designers in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area. That is $29.65 an hour or $5,139 a month.
- Hourly
- $29.65
- Vs. national median
- -5%
- Rank among cities
- 20 of 36
- Jobs in the area
- 250
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $46,030Median: $61,670Highest 10%: $112,000
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $46,030 | $22.13 | |
| 25th | $50,560 | $24.31 | |
| Median | $61,670 | $29.65 | |
| 75th | $80,000 | $38.46 | |
| 90th | $112,000 | $53.83 |
Other cities in Washington
Median yearly pay for designers.
| Portland, OR | $70,790 |
Related jobs in Seattle
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Special Effects Artist and Animator | $134,100 |
| Lighting Technician | $126,100 |
| Art Director | $124,600 |
| Technical Writer | $107,600 |
| Commercial and Industrial Designer | $105,000 |
| Writer and Author | $98,730 |
| Musician and Singer | $96,820 |
| Artist and Related Worker | $96,550 |
| Public Relations Specialist | $96,000 |
| Producer and Director | $86,680 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a designer make an hour in Seattle?
The median hourly pay in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area is $29.65 ($61,670 a year).
Do designers make more in Seattle than the national average?
No: $61,670 against $64,950 nationally, 5% less.
How does Seattle compare with the rest of Washington?
The median in Washington is $57,510, so Seattle pays 7% more.
Where does Seattle rank for designer pay?
20 of 36 metro areas with data.
How much does a designer make starting out in Seattle?
The lowest-paid 10% make $46,030 or less a year; the top 10% make $112,000 or more.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS): pay in May 2025, published by BLS in 2026. Hourly pay is the yearly figure divided by 2,080 hours.