If you’re considering a career in graphic design, there’s one question that’s probably crossed your mind: which specialism actually pays the best?
After all, you want to turn your creative passion into a career that’s both fulfilling and financially rewarding. The good news is that graphic design offers a range of career paths, and some specialisms command significantly higher salaries than others. Here’s your guide to understanding which types of graphic designers earn the most in 2025 – and what it takes to get there.
The general landscape of graphic designers
Before exploring the highest-paying graphic design specialisms, general graphic designers in the UK typically earn an average of around £26,000 to £30,000 per year. Entry-level designers typically start in the region of £18,000 to £23,000, with more senior designers earning between £35,000 and £55,000.
However, when you specialise in a particular area of graphic design, your earning potential can increase dramatically. The key is to choose a path that aligns with both your interests and market demand.
Traditionally, graphic designers in major cities earned significantly more than their counterparts in smaller towns. In London, graphic designers earn an average of £33,000 per year compared to the national average of £29,000. For UX/UI designers, the pay in London is significantly higher, with experienced designers earning up to £20,000 more per year than in other UK cities.
However, remote work has levelled the playing field considerably. Many UK designers now work remotely for London-based agencies whilst living in more affordable areas, accessing higher salaries without the capital’s cost of living.
UX/UI designers
UX (user experience) and UI (user interface) designers are at the top of the salary pyramid, as they focus on creating intuitive, visually appealing digital products – from mobile apps to websites and everything in between.
- Average salary: around £38k
- Top earners: £65,000+
These types of designers are essential to how businesses operate in a digital-first world. Every company with a website, app, or digital product needs designers who can create experiences that are visually appealing and functional.
Junior UX/UI designers in London with 1-3 years of experience can earn an average of £29,000-£39,000, which is already considerably higher than the average salary for general graphic design roles. With experience, those numbers climb steadily, and after 5-7 years in the field can expect to make £51,000-£91,000 in London.
Brand designers
Brand designers create the visual identity that defines how companies present themselves to their audience. This includes their logos, colour palettes, typography, and the brand guidelines that ensure consistency across every touchpoint.
- Average salary: around £38k
- Top earners: £65,000+
Brand designers command impressive salaries because they’re creating assets that have long-lasting impacts on a company’s success. A well-designed brand identity can make the difference between a business that stands out and one that fades into the background.
These types of designers require strategic thinking as well as design skills; they understand their target audience, market positioning, and how visual elements communicate a brand’s values and personality.
Motion graphic designers
Motion graphic designers bring static designs to life through animation and video. They’re the creative minds behind animated logos, explainer videos, and animated mascots for businesses.
- Average salary: around £38k
- Top earners: £65,000+
The demand for motion designers has exploded alongside the rise of video content across social media, advertising, and streaming platforms. Businesses recognise that movement captures attention in ways static images simply can’t.
What’s particularly attractive about motion graphics is the variety of industries hiring for these roles, from tech companies and advertising agencies to streaming services and game studios. The more animation skills you can advance in, the higher the wage will go.
Illustrator
Illustrators create original artwork for books, magazines, packaging, advertising, digital content, and more. Whether that’s working digitally or with traditional media, illustrators add a unique, creative touch to their projects!
- Average salary: around £32.5k
- Top earners: £60,000+
Illustrators enjoy a unique position in the design world. Whilst general salaries are competitive, many illustrators supplement their income through freelance work, licensing deals, or commissioning their artwork.
Packaging designers
Packaging designers create the visual and structural design of product packaging, combining aesthetics with functionality to make sure the products look appealing on the shelves, protect the contents, and communicate the brand’s values.
- Average salary: around £34k
- Top earners: £60,000+
Packaging design is a specialised field that requires an understanding of both graphic design and practical considerations like material, manufacturing processes, and sustainability.
With consumers becoming increasingly conscious of sustainability and brand experience, skilled packaging designers are in high demand, particularly in the food and beverage, cosmetics, and retail sectors.
Starting your graphic design journey
So, which type of graphic designer should you become? The highest-paying specialisation means nothing if you hate the work. Here’s how to think about it:
If you love solving problems and making digital products easier to use, UX/UI design offers the best combination of high salaries and growing demand. If you’re drawn to strategy and creating cohesive visual identities that tell brand stories, brand design offers impressive salaries and the satisfaction of building something that lasts.
If you’re passionate about animation and bringing designs to life, motion graphics provides excellent earning potential in an exciting, rapidly evolving industry. If you have a distinctive artistic style and love creating original artwork, illustration offers creative freedom and solid earning potential with opportunities for freelance work.
If you’re interested in the intersection of design, sustainability, and consumer products, packaging design offers specialist opportunities in a growing field.
Our Level 3 Graphic & Digital Design course delivers the exact foundational skills to pursue any of these paths.
You’ll get hands-on experience with industry-standard software, including the full Adobe Creative Suite, the same tools used by professional designers earning top salaries in UX/UI, brand design, motion graphics, illustration, and packaging design.
Applying to study with us takes less than two minutes, and we have interviewers ready and waiting to speak to you.
Apply now and take your first step towards a thriving career in graphic design!
