SOC 2142 Science, research, engineering and technology professionals

Graphic and multimedia designers Salary

Median salary £31,236 per year (2025). Based on ONS ASHE data.

Gross pay, before deductions. See take-home pay on £31,000 after tax and National Insurance →

For graphic and multimedia designers, £32,510 is the typical (median) pay. That is below the UK full-time median of £39,039 — -17% versus the national average. Experienced graphic and multimedia designers (top 25%) earn over £38,814.

About this role

Graphic and multimedia designers create visual concepts and designs for communications, products, environments or digital interfaces. They combine creative skills with technical knowledge to develop designs that meet client briefs, brand requirements and user needs.

Key responsibilities

Developing creative concepts and design solutions
Producing designs for print, digital or product applications
Collaborating with clients and stakeholders on design briefs
Ensuring brand consistency and visual quality
Staying current with design trends, tools and technologies

Qualifications and entry routes

Typically requires a degree in graphic design, product design, UX/UI design or a related creative discipline. A strong portfolio is essential. Professional body membership (e.g., CSD) is valued.

Career outlook

Digital and UX/UI design skills are in high demand. AI design tools are changing workflows. Strong portfolio and commercial awareness differentiate candidates.

Key skills

Adobe Creative Suite / Figma Typography and layout UX/UI principles Creative thinking Attention to detail

Common industries

Design agencies
Technology
Advertising
Retail
In-house creative teams

Data coverage

SOC code 2142

Data source ONS ASHE

Years available 2021–2025

Estimated jobs 52,000

Median Salary

£31,236

Mean Salary

£33,647

Jobs (000s)

52k

Data Years

5 years

Salary Range (2025)

P25: £25,778Median: £31,236P75: £38,814

P10: £20kP25: £26kMedian: £31kP75: £39kP90: --

Estimated Career Progression

Based on salary percentile distribution for this occupation

Entry Level

£19,900

0-2 years

Mid Level

£25,778

3-7 years

Senior

£38,814

8-15 years

Potential career growth: +95% from entry to leadership

Salary Trend (2021-2025)

Adjust for inflation

Nominal growth: +23.7%Real growth: +0.0%

Gender Pay Comparison (2025)

Gender pay gap: 6.7%

Full-time vs All Employees (2025)

All Employees

£31,236

Full-time Only

£32,510

Full-time premium: +£1,274

Graphic and multimedia designers salary: common questions

How much do graphic and multimedia designers earn in the UK?

Graphic and multimedia designers earn a median of £32,510 a year (ONS ASHE 2025). The middle half earn between £25,778 and £38,814.

Is £32,510 a good salary in the UK?

What is the starting salary for graphic and multimedia designers?

Entry-level graphic and multimedia designers typically start near the lower end of the range. The bottom 25% earn up to £25,778, and the lowest-paid 10% earn under £19,900.

Have graphic and multimedia designers salaries kept up with inflation?

Since 2021, median graphic and multimedia designers pay has risen from £26,000 to £32,510 — +25% in cash terms, or +1.0% after CPIH inflation. That is roughly in line with inflation over the period.

Is there a gender pay gap for graphic and multimedia designers?

Male graphic and multimedia designers earn a median £32,148 and female graphic and multimedia designers £30,000 — a gap of +7.0% in 2025.

Figures: ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings, gross annual pay. UK full-time median £39,039 (2025).