Graphic Designer Salary in Vermont

The Green Mountain State has almost 650,000 people, with even more tourists visiting its borders annually. Its quaint cities and progressive population are ideal inspirations for creative minds. Graphic designers want to know if there are opportunities in this unsuspecting New England state. So, let’s find out more about an average graphic designer salary in Vermont and how you can start or continue your flourishing career there.

How Much Is a Graphic Designer Salary in Vermont?

The average graphic designer salary in Vermont varies based on a few factors. How much experience do you have? Are you working for a Fortune 500 company, a small business, or an optimistic startup? Do you have specialties that could get you into more niche departments like user experience or social media graphic design?

All these factors and more add up to an average $43,524 salary in Vermont, equating to $16.13 per hour. This is around 24% less than the national average — but don’t let this statistic scare you. This reduction has many justifications, depending on your lifestyle and living preferences. The spectrum’s high-end averages around $21.49 per hour or $57,958 a year. For some, this salary is already a game-changer compared to jobs from the past.

Does that mean that is the highest you could ever go? Not necessarily. Numerous factors, including external factors like market rates and inflation, to internal factors like how well you negotiate a salary, could make those numbers fluctuate.

Additionally, many graphic designers choose to have a side hustle to earn extra income. Social media has made it simple to advertise yourself on social media platforms and side gig websites. You can explore Facebook groups, TikTok hashtags, Craigslist, Reddit, Fiverr, and Upwork to learn about little jobs you can take to make that graphic design experience feel even more worth it.

What Is Living in Vermont Like?

Knowing more about the lifestyle, you will better understand the value behind a graphic design salary in Vermont. What is the cost of living? Are people generally happy living in the region, especially with it being so close to other more populated states like New York and Massachusetts? 

The cost of living score in Vermont is just over the United States average of 100 at 100.8 — it is just slightly higher than median costs. Transportation is notably cheaper, while everything else, from groceries to utilities, is over the 100 threshold. This doesn’t mean you won’t be able to save money. In fact, this state is much cheaper to live in than other areas, especially if you can achieve the higher end of a graphic designer salary in Vermont.

What do people in Vermont typically spend their time doing based on what’s available? Being so far up in New England has its pros. Here are any number of cozy, heartwarming activities you can spend your time getting into:

• Skiing
• Hiking
• Local breweries and wineries
• Nature museums
• Water sports
• Arts and crafts culture

Can You Be a Freelance Graphic Designer in Vermont?

You can work as an in-house graphic designer, be remote, or go fully freelance. The most critical component of freelance success is internet access, so what are speeds and connectivity options like in the state?

Almost 91% of Vermont has access to wired or wireless broadband connections, which is likely to increase given the address to rural connectivity post-COVID-19. People living there may have access to less expensive internet than in other urban areas, with an average price of $60 or less. You even have a chance to connect with fiber optics in over one-third of the state. With thousands of providers, it will be hard not to stay connected.

Therefore, the only thing stopping you from your freelance dreams in Vermont is how much effort you want to put into that solopreneur lifestyle. It is challenging to manage but sometimes more rewarding than a traditional 9-to-5 job.

How Can You Set Yourself Up for Graphic Design Jobs?

Graphic design encompasses hard and soft skills. Luckily, graphic design education’s democratization means many hard skills are accessible through free online resources. Here are some hard skills and programs you may want to brush up on before talking to a prospective employer:

• Adobe suite, such as Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign and After Effects
• Sketch
• Drawing
• Color theory
• Procreate
• Canva
• Social media topics
• Affinity
• Vectoring

Soft skills include good communication, the ability to work in a team, and a positive attitude regarding feedback.

Knowing what employers are located in Vermont helps, too, especially when you hone in on the area you’re going to or already live in. Graphic designers in Vermont could work for Google or Williams Lea. Perhaps they will find a home with the U.S. Army or advertising company, Fastsigns. Not every one of these employers needs every type of graphic design expertise. 

So, you can curate yourself to fit the molds of what these companies want. Google may hire more diverse skill sets, while the Army may need more particular graphic design desires.

To help even more, let’s look at more ways you can obtain to increase your salary.

How Can You Increase Your Graphic Design Salary in Vermont?

We have already established that the salary range of a graphic designer is massive. Let this inspire you to see how far you can stretch it by using these techniques to increase your worth and negotiation power at your following interview or annual review. There are practical, professional, and mental improvements you can make that would make any employer want to give you more money for your effort and care about the industry.

Seek Professional Development

Schooling doesn’t stop when you graduate. Look into online certification programs, courses, and refreshers to always learn new concepts in graphic design. It is constantly evolving alongside new tech, so there is indeed something you don’t know. Consider how AI art generators like Midjourney changed the game.

Don’t Be Afraid to Explore

There are plenty of skills and sectors adjacent to graphic design that employers may find helpful. Do you know how to code? Then, you have set yourself up more to be a successful website designer or UI expert. 

Go to Events and Conferences

Networking at graphic design-specific events not only diversifies the types of perspectives you have within the industry, but it also keeps inspiration alive. Seeing creative marketing techniques people achieve with a simple design could keep you fired up at a job you’ve been in for decades. That push is invaluable for convincing employers you are worth a raise.

Achieving a High Graphic Designer Salary in Vermont

Many graphic designers must flock to major states and cities like California, New York, or Washington D.C. However, you can live a perfectly balanced and happy life as a graphic designer in most of the United States. It all comes down to personal preference and what the value of your salary means to you in terms of what you are paying for regarding your lifestyle. 

Many love the charming cities and lush nature of Vermont. Especially since it is so close to so many other states, there is plenty of room to explore. So, why not consider it for your graphic design journey?