Last updated June 23, 2026 · based on 78 verified listings
Median $21/hr — about $43,680/year at full time.
Pay data on this page comes from 78 verified, US-eligible listings active on Cushy Jobs in the last 30 days. We re-run this analysis weekly. Graphic design (basic) pay at the bottom 25% works out to about $15/hr; the top 25% is around $38/hr.
Range: $15–$38/hr · Median $21/hr
| Bracket | Hourly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| Bottom 25% | $15/hr | $31,200 |
| Median | $21/hr | $43,680 |
| Top 25% | $38/hr | $79,040 |
Most cushy WFH roles pay the same nationally, but a few employers adjust by metro. Multipliers below applied to the median $21/hr.
San Francisco, CA
$25/hr
18% above the national median
New York, NY
$24/hr
14% above the national median
Boston, MA
$23/hr
10% above the national median
Seattle, WA
$23/hr
9% above the national median
Washington, DC
$22/hr
7% above the national median
Entry (0-1 yr)
$16/hr
~$33,280/year FT
Mid (2-4 yr)
$21/hr
~$43,680/year FT
Senior (5+ yr)
$30/hr
~$62,400/year FT
Interactive Strategies · Various
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Posted 20558 days ago · ✓ Verified just now
King Edward First · Various
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Leadscape GmbH · Various
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LPE Immobilien Management GmbH · Various
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Across 78 verified listings, the median is $21/hour (about $43,680/year at full time). The bottom 25% earn $15/hr; the top 25% earn $38/hr.
Most cushy WFH roles pay the same nationally regardless of where the worker lives. A small minority of employers (mostly tech and high-cost-of-living based) adjust by metro — those rates are reflected in our top-paying-cities table above.
Yes — about 78% of basic design listings care more about portfolio than credentials. Build 8–12 sample pieces in Canva or Figma, post them on Behance or Dribbble, and most subscription studios (Penji, Design Pickle, Kimp) will hire on portfolio alone. Adobe Creative Cloud experience helps but isn't required for Canva-based roles.
Superside pays at the top of the range ($25–$38/hr for senior subscription designers) but requires 3+ years of agency-grade experience. Penji and ManyPixels hire entry-level Canva designers at $18–$24/hr. Design Pickle pays $20–$28/hr for mid-level. Kimp is similar to Design Pickle. All are W-2 in the US.