Colorado is a state full of creative, ambitious people who are constantly working to turn their dreams into reality. Therefore, it’s no surprise that many are graphic designers — building their careers and making a living doing what they love.
Yet, have you ever wondered how much you can expect to earn as a graphic designer in Colorado? We’ve done the research and found all you need to know about the average graphic designer’s salary in Colorado.
What Is the Average Salary of a Graphic Designer in Colorado?
Graphic designers located in Colorado make an average salary of $60,073 — which is 10% above the national average!
While the graphic design profession has grown and is increasingly lucrative, that doesn’t always mean everyone can design and make an average income in this state.
A graphic designer’s salary in Colorado varies on several factors, including which city you work in and the type of work you do in graphic design. For instance, if your job involves designing websites, your salary may be higher than that of working with publications.
That’s because print design is decreasing, and most clients need graphic design work for digital content.
What a Graphic Designer Can Expect to Make in Different Cities of Colorado
If you’ve always dreamed of living and working in Colorado, you’ll want to know what kind of salary you can expect to make in each city. That way, you can plan accordingly.
To help with this, here is a list of Colorado’s highest-paying cities for graphic designers. We compiled these figures using data from Indeed.
Here are our findings:
- Broomfield: $65,000
- Denver: $60,836
- Littleton: $59,985
- Greenwood Village: $59,775
- Boulder: $55,813
- Centennial: $54,710
- Englewood: $53,630
- Colorado Springs: $53,518
- Lakewood: $51,963
A Graphic Designer’s Salary in Colorado by Years of Experience
As a graphic designer, you may wonder if your experience level has anything to do with how much you make. The answer is yes — experience does play a role in how much you earn. However, it’s not the only factor that determines your income. Other important factors include your level of education and certifications.
Yet, if you’re curious about how much income you can generate throughout your graphic design career, here are some facts that may prove useful:
- 0-1 years: $44,076
- 1-3 years: $45,875
- 4-6 years: $49,428
- 7-9 years: $52,924
- 10+ years: $77,325
What Are the Highest-Paying Industries for a Graphic Designer in Colorado?
Colorado is a great place to be a graphic designer.
The design industry is booming in this state, and its cities are full of opportunities for graphic designers.
Here are some of the highest-paying industries for graphic designers in Colorado, according to data from Glassdoor:
- Telecommunications: $64,579
- Construction: $60,332
- Financial Services: $54,452
- Education: $53,501
- Personal Consumer Services: $53,175
The Best Companies Hiring for Graphic Designers in Colorado
When looking for a job, it can seem like there are no opportunities.
However, that’s not true! As a graphic designer, you have access to tons of companies in Colorado that are looking for people with your skills.
Use this list as a resource when you’re considering moving to Colorado or already living there and want to find more work. You can also use it if you moved there from somewhere else and need help figuring out where to start looking for jobs.
Here’s a list of the best companies hiring graphic designers in Colorado:
- Vineyards Management Group: $67,200
- Colorado Life Magazine: $36,480
- Raymond James Financial: $42,000
- VORTO: $70,000
- Big R Stores: $34,560
- Colorado State University: $65,000
- Sticker Giant: $41,000
- Winter Advertising Group: $35,000
- Aevum: $65,000
- University of Colorado Medicine: $68,000
Can Graphic Designers Make a Comfortable Living in Colorado?
Graphic designers can indeed make a comfortable living in Colorado.
In fact, some of the best graphic design jobs in the country are right in Colorado.
The state’s population is also growing. The current number of people in Colorado is 5,997,070, and research shows it will continue to grow to 6.4 million in 2029. With this growth comes increased demand for graphic design services.
In addition to companies looking for logos and branding materials, many small businesses need help creating marketing materials or even updating their website.
To succeed as a graphic designer, beginning designers must look at job postings. They can also network with other designers and find out where they work so that they can get references from them when applying for jobs.
Are Graphic Designers in Demand in Colorado?
Graphic designers are in demand in Colorado, as the market for this job title is going strong. According to Career Explorer, the state’s current number of employed graphic designers is 4,610. The projected growth rate for graphic designers in Colorado will also jump to 16% from 2020-2030 — 13% higher than the national average.
With these numbers in mind, plenty of jobs are available for those with little to no experience. Therefore, those seeking graphic design jobs in Colorado can expect less competition and steady work.
How To Make Sure You Succeed in Graphic Design
Graphic design is a truly unique career.
You’re not just designing and creating images — you’re making a story that people can relate to and share with others. You have the power to help them communicate their ideas in an incredibly personal way, which makes graphic design one of the most effective ways of communicating with people.
That’s why learning how to succeed in graphic design is important. Yet, what does that mean? Here are some tips for getting started:
- Start small, but try not to limit yourself! Graphic designers are creative people, so you can always find a new way to express yourself when you feel it’s not working out for you.
- Take risks! Graphic designers often overthink how their clients will react before trying something new, which can hold them back from taking action. Still, to become a successful graphic designer, you need to take chances.
- Remember why you love what you do. If there’s one thing that veteran graphic designers learned from being in this industry, success comes from loving what you do — so make sure your passion never goes away.
Flourish as a Graphic Designer in the State of Colorado
As you can see, graphic designers can expect to make more than the national average and still make a comfortable living. Therefore, Colorado is a great place to live if you choose this career. Hopefully, you’ve learned from this information and know what to expect when you interview with a potential employer.
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About The Author
Cooper Adwin is the Assistant Editor of Designerly Magazine. With several years of experience as a social media manager for a design company, Cooper particularly enjoys focusing on social and design news and topics that help brands create a seamless social media presence. Outside of Designerly, you can find Cooper playing D&D with friends or curled up with his cat and a good book.