SalaryByCity

Graphic Designers vs Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education: Salary Comparison (2024)

Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.

Graphic Designers

$61,300

Median annual salary

214,260 employed nationally

Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education

$64,580

Median annual salary

1,072,540 employed nationally

Which Career Pays More?

Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education professionals earn $3,280 more per year than Graphic Designers professionals — that's 5.4% higher. At the 90th percentile, Graphic Designers earns $103,030 compared to $104,670 for Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education.

Salary Range Comparison

Graphic Designers$37,600 – $103,030
Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education$47,330 – $104,670
$37,600$104,670

Detailed Salary Comparison

PercentileGraphic DesignersSecondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical EducationDifference
10th Percentile$37,600$47,330$-9,730
25th Percentile$47,200$57,800$-10,600
Median (50th)$61,300$64,580$-3,280
75th Percentile$79,000$83,010$-4,010
90th Percentile$103,030$104,670$-1,640
Mean (Average)$68,610$73,700$-5,090

Employment Numbers

Graphic Designers

214,260

employed nationwide

Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education

1,072,540

employed nationwide

Top Paying Cities

Best Cities for Graphic Designers

CityMedian
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 Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education

CityMedian
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA$103,640
Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA$103,640
San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA$99,840
San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA$99,740
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA$99,530

Frequently Asked Questions

Who earns more: Graphic Designers or Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education?
Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $3,280 (5.4% 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 Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education?
Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education salaries range from $47,330 (10th percentile) to $104,670 (90th percentile), with a median of $64,580.
How many Graphic Designers and Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education jobs are there?
There are approximately 214,260 Graphic Designers positions and 1,072,540 Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education to Graphic Designers?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Graphic Designers has a median salary of $61,300 while Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education earns $64,580. 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