Creative pay 2026
Creative salaries by state
These are the median salaries BLS publishes for seven creative jobs in each US state, May 2025. A state is listed for a job when BLS estimates at least 250 employee jobs there and publishes every percentile.
- 7creative jobs with an exact BLS occupation
- 203role and state pages
- $50,980US median for all jobs, for scale
What do video editors earn in each state?
22 states clear the bar for video editors. New York pays most ($103,440), Arizona least of these ($45,840); the US median is $75,420.
| New York | $103,440 | $49.73 | 3,710 |
|---|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $98,830 | $47.51 | 370 |
| Massachusetts | $92,130 | $44.29 | 550 |
| California | $88,490 | $42.54 | 8,110 |
| Colorado | $84,620 | $40.68 | 380 |
| Connecticut | $83,550 | $40.17 | 600 |
| New Jersey | $82,890 | $39.85 | 620 |
| Maryland | $78,380 | $37.68 | 250 |
| Utah | $76,240 | $36.65 | 370 |
| Illinois | $72,460 | $34.84 | 310 |
| Oregon | $72,300 | $34.76 | 360 |
| Washington | $66,870 | $32.15 | 450 |
| Nevada | $65,720 | $31.60 | 320 |
| Texas | $61,220 | $29.43 | 1,040 |
| Florida | $60,430 | $29.05 | 1,490 |
| North Carolina | $60,020 | $28.86 | 400 |
| Michigan | $59,100 | $28.41 | 360 |
| Missouri | $57,950 | $27.86 | 380 |
| Tennessee | $57,880 | $27.83 | 560 |
| Ohio | $56,410 | $27.12 | 340 |
| Indiana | $46,780 | $22.49 | 450 |
| Arizona | $45,840 | $22.04 | 350 |
What do motion designers and animators earn in each state?
12 states clear the bar for motion designers and animators. Washington pays most ($133,480), Pennsylvania least of these ($71,760); the US median is $102,030.
| Washington | $133,480 | $64.17 | 1,130 |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | $130,540 | $62.76 | 7,410 |
| Nevada | $97,350 | $46.80 | 370 |
| New York | $96,770 | $46.52 | 1,540 |
| North Carolina | $88,350 | $42.48 | 370 |
| Utah | $88,210 | $42.41 | 320 |
| Florida | $85,870 | $41.29 | 1,530 |
| Virginia | $81,510 | $39.19 | 380 |
| Georgia | $81,390 | $39.13 | 350 |
| Illinois | $81,180 | $39.03 | 630 |
| Indiana | $75,250 | $36.18 | 300 |
| Pennsylvania | $71,760 | $34.50 | 300 |
What do graphic designers earn in each state?
50 states clear the bar for graphic designers. District of Columbia pays most ($87,920), Puerto Rico least of these ($34,180); the US median is $62,960.
| District of Columbia | $87,920 | $42.27 | 1,150 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rhode Island | $78,220 | $37.61 | 750 |
| New York | $77,340 | $37.19 | 14,530 |
| Massachusetts | $76,710 | $36.88 | 4,450 |
| California | $75,130 | $36.12 | 27,390 |
| Maryland | $75,120 | $36.12 | 3,050 |
| New Jersey | $73,790 | $35.48 | 5,670 |
| Washington | $72,710 | $34.96 | 3,960 |
| Connecticut | $72,700 | $34.95 | 1,930 |
| Virginia | $72,310 | $34.77 | 4,740 |
| Colorado | $66,330 | $31.89 | 4,200 |
| Oregon | $66,040 | $31.75 | 4,140 |
| Vermont | $65,690 | $31.58 | 410 |
| Minnesota | $63,860 | $30.70 | 5,570 |
| Nevada | $62,890 | $30.24 | 1,570 |
| Illinois | $62,560 | $30.08 | 8,960 |
| Utah | $62,310 | $29.96 | 2,720 |
| Florida | $61,660 | $29.65 | 12,660 |
| Pennsylvania | $60,730 | $29.20 | 8,150 |
| New Hampshire | $60,490 | $29.08 | 790 |
| Georgia | $60,250 | $28.97 | 5,920 |
| Texas | $60,150 | $28.92 | 13,670 |
| Delaware | $60,130 | $28.91 | 360 |
| Ohio | $60,080 | $28.88 | 7,280 |
| Maine | $60,030 | $28.86 | 560 |
| Wisconsin | $59,900 | $28.80 | 4,130 |
| Arizona | $58,510 | $28.13 | 3,560 |
| North Carolina | $58,450 | $28.10 | 5,660 |
| Hawaii | $58,070 | $27.92 | 520 |
| Michigan | $57,350 | $27.57 | 6,070 |
| Tennessee | $57,270 | $27.54 | 3,880 |
| South Carolina | $57,170 | $27.49 | 1,930 |
| Montana | $56,890 | $27.35 | 610 |
| Missouri | $56,750 | $27.28 | 4,500 |
| New Mexico | $56,730 | $27.27 | 850 |
| Nebraska | $56,700 | $27.26 | 1,670 |
| North Dakota | $56,470 | $27.15 | 460 |
| Indiana | $55,480 | $26.67 | 3,450 |
| Kansas | $53,630 | $25.79 | 1,730 |
| Oklahoma | $53,630 | $25.78 | 2,040 |
| Kentucky | $52,960 | $25.46 | 2,060 |
| Alabama | $51,070 | $24.55 | 1,760 |
| Idaho | $50,350 | $24.21 | 920 |
| Iowa | $50,310 | $24.19 | 2,100 |
| Louisiana | $49,910 | $23.99 | 1,750 |
| South Dakota | $48,390 | $23.26 | 470 |
| Arkansas | $46,220 | $22.22 | 1,390 |
| Mississippi | $45,640 | $21.94 | 830 |
| West Virginia | $40,350 | $19.40 | 520 |
| Puerto Rico | $34,180 | $16.44 | 1,280 |
What do photographers earn in each state?
34 states clear the bar for photographers. District of Columbia pays most ($110,970), Indiana least of these ($35,960); the US median is $44,660.
| District of Columbia | $110,970 | $53.35 | 260 |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York | $60,050 | $28.87 | 3,650 |
| Massachusetts | $57,990 | $27.88 | 830 |
| Oregon | $53,630 | $25.78 | 510 |
| Utah | $52,140 | $25.07 | 660 |
| Connecticut | $49,790 | $23.94 | 630 |
| Washington | $48,050 | $23.10 | 960 |
| California | $47,840 | $23.00 | 7,980 |
| Kentucky | $47,170 | $22.68 | 380 |
| Colorado | $47,070 | $22.63 | 1,140 |
| Virginia | $46,550 | $22.38 | 1,580 |
| Minnesota | $46,470 | $22.34 | 730 |
| Maryland | $46,450 | $22.33 | 790 |
| Hawaii | $45,960 | $22.10 | 440 |
| Georgia | $43,770 | $21.04 | 1,420 |
| Florida | $42,640 | $20.50 | 4,390 |
| Wisconsin | $42,060 | $20.22 | 850 |
| Texas | $41,280 | $19.85 | 4,330 |
| New Jersey | $40,520 | $19.48 | 1,460 |
| Pennsylvania | $40,520 | $19.48 | 1,870 |
| Missouri | $39,170 | $18.83 | 950 |
| Ohio | $38,470 | $18.50 | 1,540 |
| Iowa | $38,290 | $18.41 | 430 |
| Tennessee | $37,950 | $18.25 | 780 |
| South Carolina | $37,890 | $18.22 | 630 |
| Kansas | $37,790 | $18.17 | 300 |
| Nevada | $37,460 | $18.01 | 890 |
| North Carolina | $37,120 | $17.84 | 2,130 |
| Arizona | $36,970 | $17.77 | 1,360 |
| Louisiana | $36,830 | $17.71 | 510 |
| Oklahoma | $36,750 | $17.67 | 330 |
| Illinois | $36,570 | $17.58 | 2,150 |
| Alabama | $36,130 | $17.37 | 530 |
| Indiana | $35,960 | $17.29 | 810 |
What do videographers and camera operators earn in each state?
22 states clear the bar for videographers and camera operators. California pays most ($106,900), New Mexico least of these ($49,050); the US median is $74,990.
| California | $106,900 | $51.39 | 4,700 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Illinois | $100,170 | $48.16 | 1,060 |
| New York | $93,410 | $44.91 | 2,930 |
| Georgia | $85,050 | $40.89 | 570 |
| Colorado | $74,990 | $36.05 | 300 |
| Arizona | $68,250 | $32.81 | 520 |
| Maryland | $65,870 | $31.67 | 290 |
| Ohio | $64,860 | $31.18 | 520 |
| Texas | $63,110 | $30.34 | 1,100 |
| North Carolina | $62,720 | $30.15 | 380 |
| Florida | $62,220 | $29.91 | 970 |
| Nevada | $62,110 | $29.86 | 320 |
| Massachusetts | $61,320 | $29.48 | 370 |
| Washington | $60,250 | $28.97 | 440 |
| Louisiana | $58,440 | $28.10 | 270 |
| Virginia | $58,440 | $28.10 | 420 |
| Tennessee | $57,030 | $27.42 | 460 |
| Michigan | $55,290 | $26.58 | 380 |
| Wisconsin | $52,810 | $25.39 | 300 |
| Pennsylvania | $51,760 | $24.88 | 670 |
| Minnesota | $51,420 | $24.72 | 300 |
| New Mexico | $49,050 | $23.58 | 290 |
What do writers and copywriters earn in each state?
29 states clear the bar for writers and copywriters. District of Columbia pays most ($129,300), Arkansas least of these ($47,970); the US median is $76,910.
| District of Columbia | $129,300 | $62.16 | 1,050 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maryland | $104,330 | $50.16 | 540 |
| Connecticut | $98,460 | $47.34 | 480 |
| Louisiana | $89,520 | $43.04 | 480 |
| California | $86,480 | $41.58 | 8,390 |
| Washington | $85,700 | $41.20 | 770 |
| Massachusetts | $85,260 | $40.99 | 1,350 |
| Virginia | $85,000 | $40.87 | 1,530 |
| New Jersey | $81,590 | $39.23 | 1,180 |
| Oregon | $80,540 | $38.72 | 950 |
| Pennsylvania | $77,410 | $37.22 | 1,080 |
| Colorado | $76,830 | $36.94 | 1,300 |
| Indiana | $75,820 | $36.45 | 450 |
| Georgia | $74,710 | $35.92 | 820 |
| Minnesota | $72,810 | $35.01 | 720 |
| Texas | $69,990 | $33.65 | 2,320 |
| Illinois | $68,220 | $32.80 | 2,640 |
| Florida | $68,080 | $32.73 | 3,010 |
| Ohio | $65,930 | $31.70 | 830 |
| Utah | $64,530 | $31.02 | 410 |
| Wisconsin | $64,370 | $30.95 | 710 |
| North Carolina | $63,660 | $30.60 | 1,810 |
| Iowa | $61,010 | $29.33 | 290 |
| Tennessee | $58,870 | $28.30 | 1,260 |
| Missouri | $58,140 | $27.95 | 600 |
| Arizona | $55,990 | $26.92 | 600 |
| South Carolina | $51,920 | $24.96 | 520 |
| Kentucky | $48,780 | $23.45 | 350 |
| Arkansas | $47,970 | $23.06 | 270 |
What do UX/UI designers earn in each state?
34 states clear the bar for UX/UI designers. California pays most ($136,110), Indiana least of these ($63,430); the US median is $104,000.
| California | $136,110 | $65.44 | 27,090 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | $130,480 | $62.73 | 11,580 |
| New York | $120,990 | $58.17 | 16,560 |
| Massachusetts | $113,540 | $54.59 | 2,740 |
| New Hampshire | $111,150 | $53.44 | 430 |
| District of Columbia | $107,650 | $51.76 | 480 |
| Pennsylvania | $104,160 | $50.08 | 2,820 |
| Georgia | $103,810 | $49.91 | 2,800 |
| Texas | $102,650 | $49.35 | 5,910 |
| Oregon | $102,220 | $49.14 | 1,230 |
| Utah | $99,990 | $48.07 | 1,060 |
| Arizona | $98,070 | $47.15 | 810 |
| North Carolina | $97,990 | $47.11 | 3,400 |
| Maryland | $96,760 | $46.52 | 1,310 |
| Colorado | $95,880 | $46.10 | 3,250 |
| Wisconsin | $95,340 | $45.84 | 880 |
| New Jersey | $95,310 | $45.82 | 2,170 |
| Connecticut | $94,660 | $45.51 | 1,060 |
| Illinois | $85,710 | $41.21 | 2,050 |
| Ohio | $83,360 | $40.08 | 2,520 |
| Minnesota | $82,650 | $39.74 | 1,520 |
| Michigan | $81,010 | $38.95 | 1,750 |
| South Carolina | $80,930 | $38.91 | 800 |
| Nevada | $80,120 | $38.52 | 1,180 |
| Florida | $77,730 | $37.37 | 4,620 |
| Virginia | $77,140 | $37.09 | 1,990 |
| Kentucky | $77,000 | $37.02 | 590 |
| Oklahoma | $76,440 | $36.75 | 340 |
| Missouri | $70,970 | $34.12 | 1,210 |
| Iowa | $69,060 | $33.20 | 670 |
| Nebraska | $65,520 | $31.50 | 720 |
| Idaho | $64,250 | $30.89 | 340 |
| Tennessee | $63,510 | $30.53 | 3,610 |
| Indiana | $63,430 | $30.49 | 1,160 |
Questions
Why are some states missing for some jobs?
A state is listed when BLS estimates at least 250 employee jobs in it and publishes all five percentiles. Below that the estimate rests on very few survey responses.
Why are social media managers and podcast editors not here?
No US occupation matches those jobs exactly. Their national pages read them from the nearest group, with a note; repeating that borrowed figure state by state would mislead.
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Where do these numbers come from?
US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 (published 15 May 2026).
n = 448,240 jobs across the listed states. Last updated 2 October 2026.
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