Graphic Designers vs Project Management Specialists: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Project Management Specialists professionals earn $39,450 more per year than Graphic Designers professionals — that's 64.4% higher. At the 90th percentile, Graphic Designers earns $103,030 compared to $165,790 for Project Management Specialists.
Salary Range Comparison
Graphic Designers$37,600 – $103,030
Project Management Specialists$59,830 – $165,790
$37,600$165,790
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Graphic Designers | Project Management Specialists | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $37,600 | $59,830 | $-22,230 |
| 25th Percentile | $47,200 | $76,950 | $-29,750 |
| Median (50th) | $61,300 | $100,750 | $-39,450 |
| 75th Percentile | $79,000 | $131,660 | $-52,660 |
| 90th Percentile | $103,030 | $165,790 | $-62,760 |
| Mean (Average) | $68,610 | $108,100 | $-39,490 |
Employment Numbers
Graphic Designers
214,260
employed nationwide
Project Management Specialists
1,006,160
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Graphic Designers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $98,530 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $89,490 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $82,630 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $82,360 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | $78,000 |
Best Cities for Project Management Specialists
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $136,250 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $132,530 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $125,390 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $123,670 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $121,680 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Graphic Designers or Project Management Specialists?
Project Management Specialists professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $39,450 (64.4% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Graphic Designers?
Graphic Designers salaries range from $37,600 (10th percentile) to $103,030 (90th percentile), with a median of $61,300.
What is the salary range for Project Management Specialists?
Project Management Specialists salaries range from $59,830 (10th percentile) to $165,790 (90th percentile), with a median of $100,750.
How many Graphic Designers and Project Management Specialists jobs are there?
There are approximately 214,260 Graphic Designers positions and 1,006,160 Project Management Specialists positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Project Management Specialists to Graphic Designers?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Graphic Designers has a median salary of $61,300 while Project Management Specialists earns $100,750. Consider job satisfaction, growth prospects, required education, and work-life balance.
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Data verified March 2026 · Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS