In today’s world, people are more likely to see visuals rather than just reading or listening to words. From the social media platforms to the Search engines, we see visual ads that can help businesses to grow. Behind all those visuals, the creative mind of the graphic designer is there.
In this blog, you will explore everything about a graphic designer’s salary in India. Whether you’re a student or beginner who’s thinking about a creative career, or even if you’re an experienced designer planning your next move, this blog will help you understand how much graphic designers earn and the factors on which your salary depends.
Table of Contents:
What is Graphic Design?
Graphic Design is the process of communicating ideas through visuals. In simple words, it is the art of using images, text, colors, and layouts to share messages in a creative way. From social media posts to product packaging, everything is designed by a graphic designer.
Role of a Graphic Designer
Graphic design has become one of the most in-demand careers in businesses and startups. A graphic designer is a person who creates logos, User Interfaces, and banners to build brand identity. This helps businesses to communicate with people. Here are some of the responsibilities of graphic designers:
- Creating logos to build brand identity.
- Creating Social Media posts, banners, and ads.
- Creating brochures, posters, and flyers
- Working on creating and improving user interfaces of websites and applications.
- Designing product labels and packaging
Graphic designers use different types of software and applications to create designs. Here are some of the popular tools through which designers create their designs:
- Adobe Photoshop – It is used for editing photos and creating graphics.
- Adobe Illustrator – Used for making logos, icons, and illustrations.
- Canva – It is a beginner-friendly tool where design templates are available for creating quick designs.
- CorelDRAW – Used to print designs like labels and flyers.
- Figma or Adobe XD – Used for creating and designing website layouts.
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Factors That Affect a Graphic Designer’s Salary in India
If you’re planning to become a graphic designer or already work as a graphic designer, you might think about how much you can earn as a graphic designer in India. The answer is, there is no fixed salary, it depends on various factors like where you work, the skills you have, and how experienced you are. Let us discuss each factor one by one:
1. Experience Level
Just like in any job, you get a salary according to your experience. The more experience you have, the higher your salary. Here is the breakdown of salaries for each of them:
- Freshers (0-2 years) — If you’re just starting, your salary might be between ₹2.5 to ₹4.5 lakhs per year.
- Mid-level (2–5 years): With some more experience, you could earn ₹4.5 to ₹8 lakhs per year.
- Senior Designers (5+ years): Experienced designers can earn between ₹8 to ₹15+ lakhs or even more, depending on the skills and the company.
2. Location
Your salary also depends on the location where you work. Big cities pay you more as compared to small cities.
- High-paying cities: Bengaluru, Mumbai, Delhi NCR, Pune, and Hyderabad
- Smaller cities or towns: Lower salary, but also lower cost of living
3. Company Size And Type
Companies are of different types. Each of them offers you different pay:
- Startups: They offer lower basic salaries, but they can give you bonuses or stock options
- MNCs: They usually offer higher salaries, better benefits, and job stability
- Agencies vs. In-house teams: Creative agencies may offer faster growth, while in-house teams often give long-term stability.
If you have a good knowledge of design tools and have strong creative skills, then you will definitely earn more. Here is the list of some in-demand skills:
- Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator
- Canva
- Motion design, animation
- UI design tools like Figma or XD
- Basic knowledge of HTML/CSS
5. Education and Certifications
You don’t need any fancy degree to become a graphic designer, but if you have a Bachelor’s degree in Design, Fine Arts, or Visual Communication, then it may increase your chances of getting hired. You can also go for short-term certifications from reputed platforms like Coursera, Intellipaat, and Google (free courses).
6. Portfolio
For a role as a graphic designer, a portfolio is more important than your degree. A strong and creative portfolio is required because it is your work identity, your designs help you to get hired, and get maximum pay.
7. Industry You Work in
Different industries pay differently to graphic designers. Here is how:
- Tech & E-commerce: Higher salaries
- Marketing & Advertising Agencies: Decent pay, but provide creative exposure
- Education, Healthcare, Non-profits: Lower salary but good, purpose-driven design opportunities
Average Graphic Designer Salary in India
Here’s the table that shows the average salary ranges for the graphic designers in India based on the experience level:
| Experience Level |
Job Role |
Average Salary (per year) |
| Fresher (0–1 years) |
Junior Graphic Designer |
₹2,00,000 – ₹4,00,000 |
| Early Career (1–3 years) |
Graphic Designer |
₹3,00,000 – ₹6,00,000 |
| Mid-Level (3–6 years) |
Senior Graphic Designer |
₹6,00,000 – ₹10,00,000 |
| Experienced (6–10 years) |
Visual Designer / Art Director |
₹10,00,000 – ₹15,00,000+ |
| Senior (10+ yrs) |
Design Manager / Creative Head |
₹15,00,000 – ₹25,00,000+ |
Note:
- These are the rough estimates. The actual salary of graphic designers may vary depending on location, company, and skills.
- Freelancers do not earn a fixed salary, but many of them earn ₹25,000 to ₹1,00,000+ per month, depending on the number of clients they get and the type of work. Because now most people have entered this field, the competition is very high, and getting clients is one of the difficult tasks for freelancers.
Graphic Designer vs. UI/UX Designer
While researching jobs, you might come across different job titles like Graphic Designer and UI/UX designer, and think that both are the same, but this is not true. Here is the table for comparing both graphic designers and UI/UX designers:
| Criteria |
Graphic Designer |
UI/UX Designer |
| Focus |
Creating visual content for digital media. |
Improving user experiences and interface designs. |
| End Goal |
To create eye-catching, attractive designs. |
To make products that are easy to use and visually appealing. |
| Responsibilities |
Creating logos, brochures, posters, packaging, and social media posts. |
Creating wireframes, user flows, app/web screens. |
| Tools Used |
Photoshop, Illustrator, CorelDRAW, InDesign, Canva. |
Figma, Adobe XD, Sketch, Balsamiq, Axure. |
| Learning Curve |
It is easy for beginners. |
It is more complex because it requires research and design thinking. |
| Average Salary |
₹3,00,000 – ₹8,00,000 per year |
₹4,00,000 – ₹15,00,000 per year |
Salary Trends for Graphic Designers Over Time
Graphic design has been a well-known career for a long time. The demand for skilled graphic designers has increased with the rise of social media and digital content. Let us look at how salaries changed over time:
2015 – 2018
During this period, businesses slowly started going online, and the demand for online ads increased. But salaries were still not good.
- Freshers earned around ₹1.5 to ₹2.5 LPA
- Mid-level designers earned ₹3 to ₹5 LPA
- Senior designers could earn up to ₹6 to ₹8 LPA
2019–2021
As social media platforms grow, brands need strong visuals to stand out. Graphic design shifted from just print to Instagram creatives, YouTube thumbnails, infographics, and more. At this time, people started doing freelancing.
- Freshers: ₹2.5 to ₹4 LPA
- Mid-Level: ₹4 to ₹7 LPA
- Seniors: ₹7 to ₹10 LPA
2020–2022
It was the time when COVID-19 came, businesses went online, and the demand for digital content grew. In this time, graphic designers have become more essential for business growth.
2023-2025
Right now, companies heavily focus on branding, user engagement, and content marketing. And choosing graphic design as a career is still a good option.
- Freshers: ₹3 to ₹5 LPA
- Mid-Level: ₹6 to ₹9 LPA
- Experienced Designers (7+ years): ₹10 to ₹15 LPA or more
Career Growth in Graphic Design
Graphic design is a good career option. Whether you start as a fresher or already have some experience, this field offers many paths to level up your career. Let us look to your career journey as a graphic designer:
| Features |
Fresher Role (0–2 years) |
Mid-level Roles (2–5 years) |
Senior Roles (5–10 years) |
| Job Title |
Junior Graphic Designer, Design Intern, Visual Designer |
Graphic Designer, Visual Communication Designer, Brand Designer |
Senior Graphic Designer, Creative Lead, Art Director |
| Work |
They get simple tasks like creating social media posts, banners, flyers, and editing layouts. |
They are responsible for handling full projects, working with clients or marketing teams, and creating brand designs. |
They are responsible for managing projects end-to-end, creating brand strategies, and invigilating. |
| Goal |
The goal is to learn design tools and work under senior designers to understand the process. |
The goal is to become faster and more creative. |
The goal is to improve communication, project management, and creative direction. |
Course and Certification for Graphic Designers
If you want to start your journey as a graphic designer or want to grow your existing skills, then doing the right course can help you to grow in your career. Here are some of the popular certification courses:
| Course Name |
Platform |
Best For |
| Graphic Design Specialization |
Coursera (by CalArts) |
It is best for beginners to intermediate. |
| Adobe Certified Professional |
Adobe |
It is best for those who want to learn some specific tools, like Adobe Photoshop or Adobe Illustrator. |
| Google UX Design Certificate |
Coursera |
Best for those who want to learn both UI/UX and Graphic Design. |
| Graphic Design Masterclass |
Udemy |
Affordable and beginner-friendly |
Also, if you’re looking for an offline experience, many indian design schools are there that offer excellent programs. These institutes offer undergraduate, diploma, and certificate programs in graphic and communication design:
- NID (National Institute of Design)
- Pearl Academy
- MIT Institute of Design
- SID Pune (Symbiosis Institute of Design)
- Arena Animation / MAAC
- Lovely Professional University (LPU)
Is Graphic Design a Stable Career in India?
Yes absolutely. Graphic design is one of the most exciting and growing careers in India. In today’s digital world, every company, from startups to big brands, needs visually appealing content to promote their business, and because of this, the graphic designers are growing continuously. Graphic designers are not limited to one industry. You can work in:
- Advertising agencies
- Social media marketing companies
- Print and publishing
- App and web development firms
- Media and entertainment
- E-commerce companies
- Startups and tech firms
Tips to Increase the Salary of a Designer
With the right skills, mindset, and planning, you can increase your earnings. Here are some simple tips that help you increase your salary:
1. Master Tools Used in Industries: The better you are with tools, the more valuable you are. Try to learn tools like Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, Figma, Canva, CorelDRAW, and Adobe Premiere Pro.
2. Build a Strong Portfolio: Building a portfolio is very important. It shows what you can do, even more than your resume. Add 5-10 of your best projects. The projects you are adding are of various varieties, like logos, posters, User Interfaces, and Social Media posts.
3. Learn UI/UX or Motion Graphics: Graphic design is great, but adding skills like UI/UX Design, Motion Graphics, and video editing can significantly increase your salary and allow you to apply for more roles.
4. Certification and Courses Matter: It is not always required, but sometimes certifications from trusted platforms are required to show your skills to companies.
5. Keep up with Trends: Building Negotiation skills is important for salary negotiation. For this, you have to research the industry well and show your work results to the companies.
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Conclusion
Graphic design is not only about making things look good. It is about solving problems through visual communication. Graphic designers are in high demand across many industries in India. If you are someone who loves to create things and design, then graphic design is a great choice for you. With the right skills, a strong portfolio, and continuous learning, you can not only enjoy your work but also earn a good income.
Graphic Designer Salary in India 2025 – FAQs
Q1. How much do graphic designers make in India?
Graphic designers in India easily earn between ₹2 LPA to ₹15+ LPA. Their earning depends on experience, skills, and location.
Q2. What is the highest-paid job in graphic design?
Roles like Creative Director, Design Manager, or Brand Identity Designer are best for getting more pay.
Q3. What is the golden rule of graphic design?
The golden rule is balance and making things simple. Your design is simple, easy to understand, and purposeful.
Q4. Is graphic design a good career salary?
Yes, it offers more stable income and excellent growth. This is good for beginners who are interested in creating designs.
Q5. How do I become a graphic designer?
You can start by learning design basics, mastering tools like Adobe Photoshop/Illustrator, and taking design courses. After this most important step is building a portfolio with real projects.