CDCareer Decision

Graphic Designers Salary in Des Moines, IA

In the 2025 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS dataset, Graphic Designers in Des Moines, IA have a median annual salary of $56,520, with 740 recorded jobs in this area. Recorded earnings range from $37,570 at the 10th percentile to $79,640 at the 90th percentile.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS · Data year: 2025 · Last updated: 2026-09-22

Salary overview

Median annual salary

$56,520

Data year: 2025

Hourly median

$27.17

Employment

740

Source

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS

Salary distribution

$37,570
10th
$46,380
25th
$56,520
Median
$68,140
75th
$79,640
90th

Local compared with national

Des Moines, IA

$56,520

Median annual · 2025

United States

$62,960

Median annual · 2025

The Des Moines, IA median is 10.2% below the national median in the available dataset (a difference of $6,440).

Top skills

  1. 1.Active ListeningImportance 3.8
  2. 2.SpeakingImportance 3.4
  3. 3.WritingImportance 3.3
  4. 4.Critical ThinkingImportance 3.3
  5. 5.Active LearningImportance 3.3
  6. 6.Reading ComprehensionImportance 3.1
  7. 7.Social PerceptivenessImportance 3.1
  8. 8.CoordinationImportance 3.1
  9. 9.Complex Problem SolvingImportance 3.1
  10. 10.Judgment and Decision MakingImportance 3.1
  11. 11.Time ManagementImportance 3.1
  12. 12.MonitoringImportance 3.0

Career information

Education and experience

Typical education
Bachelor's Degree
Experience
Over 2 years, up to and including 4 years
Job zone
4

Technology used

  • Adobe Acrobat
  • Adobe ActionScript
  • Adobe After Effects
  • Adobe ColdFusion
  • Adobe Creative Cloud software
  • Adobe Distiller
  • Adobe Dreamweaver
  • Adobe FrameMaker
  • Adobe FreeHand MX
  • Adobe Illustrator
  • Adobe InDesign
  • Adobe Macromedia HomeSite
  • Adobe PageMaker
  • Adobe Photoshop
  • Adobe Premiere Pro

Common tasks

  • Key information into computer equipment to create layouts for client or supervisor.
  • Review final layouts and suggest improvements, as needed.
  • Determine size and arrangement of illustrative material and copy, and select style and size of type.
  • Develop graphics and layouts for product illustrations, company logos, and Web sites.
  • Create designs, concepts, and sample layouts, based on knowledge of layout principles and esthetic design concepts.
  • Use computer software to generate new images.
  • Prepare digital files for printing.
  • Confer with clients to discuss and determine layout design.
  • Research the target audience of projects.
  • Draw and print charts, graphs, illustrations, and other artwork, using computer.

Related careers

Occupations recorded as related in the dataset. A relationship does not imply a guaranteed transition.

Graphic Designers salary in other locations

Other occupations in Des Moines, IA