How to Become A Graphic Designer in Louisiana

Louisiana employs approximately 1,750 graphic designers according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $49,910 1. Nationally, graphic designer employment is projected to grow 2.1% from 2024 to 2034, with about 20,000 openings per year 2. This page covers how to become a graphic designer in Louisiana, including requirements, training programs, and salary data.

Quick Answers About Becoming A Graphic Designer in Louisiana

How do I become a graphic designer in Louisiana? Complete a training program or apprenticeship, gain work experience, and meet any state or employer requirements for graphic designers in Louisiana.

How long does it take? Most paths take 1 to 5 years depending on whether you choose trade school, an apprenticeship, or a combination of both.

What do graphic designers earn in Louisiana? The median annual wage for graphic designers in Louisiana is $49,910 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $35,910 and experienced professionals can earn $76,300 or more 1.

At a Glance

  • Training paths: trade school, community college, or apprenticeship
  • Typical timeline: 1 to 5 years depending on the path
  • Median wage (Louisiana): $49,910 per year 1

Graphic Designer Wages by Metro Area in Louisiana

Graphic Designers Wages by Metro Area in Louisiana

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 OES data), graphic designers wages in Louisiana vary by metro area.

Metro AreaEmploymentMedian Annual WageAvg. Annual WageEntry Level
(10th pctile)
Experienced
(90th pctile)
New Orleans-Metairie560$51,710$58,650$37,460$87,850
Baton Rouge420$51,020$55,530$38,480$74,490
Lafayette210$47,310$49,790$33,030$69,490
Shreveport-Bossier City140$51,080$54,290$35,840$71,240
Monroe100$45,340$53,420$35,360$82,760
Slidell-Mandeville-Covington100$47,340$53,140$35,940$72,860
Lake Charles70$45,610$49,660$35,140$68,810

Wages reflect survey data and vary based on experience, credentials, employer, and local market conditions. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025.

Top Metros for Graphic designers in Louisiana

The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest graphic designer employment within Louisiana according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).

Metro AreaEmploymentMedian Annual Wage
New Orleans-Metairie560$51,710
Baton Rouge420$51,020
Lafayette210$47,310
Shreveport-Bossier City140$51,080
Monroe100$45,340

Explore graphic designer programs in New Orleans, Baton Rouge, and Lafayette.

Explore More Trades in Louisiana

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the job outlook for graphic designers in Louisiana? Louisiana currently employs approximately 1,750 graphic designers 1. Nationally, graphic designer employment is projected to grow 2.1% from 2024 to 2034 2.

What training programs are available in Louisiana? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in Louisiana.

How much do graphic designers earn in Louisiana compared to the national average? The median annual wage for graphic designers in Louisiana is $49,910, which is $11,390 below the national median of $61,300 according to BLS data 1.

Citations

About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.

References


  1. Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎

  2. Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎

Data sources

Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.

DataProviderVintage
Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)U.S. Bureau of Labor StatisticsMay 2025
Employment ProjectionsU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics2024-2034
Integrated Postsecondary Education Data SystemNational Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS)2024
College Scorecard (school-level outcomes)U.S. Department of Educationlatest release
College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings)U.S. Department of Educationlatest release (updated 2026-06-12)
Occupational licensing requirementsCareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor)latest release (updated 2026-02-22)
Registered apprenticeship programsCareerOneStop / Apprenticeship.gov (U.S. Department of Labor)latest release (updated 2025-10-25)
O*NET occupation profiles (skills, tasks, tools, job zones)U.S. Department of Labor (O*NET / Employment & Training Admin.)O*NET 29.1 (updated 2026-06-13)