Here is a comprehensive career guide for Graphic Designers considering Everett, WA.

---

A Graphic Designer's Guide to Everett, WA

You’re looking at Everett, and I get it. It’s not Seattle, it’s not Tacoma; it’s the gritty little brother that’s cleaning up its act. For a graphic designer, Everett offers a unique mix of aerospace industrialism, blue-collar branding, and a surprisingly vibrant arts scene anchored by the Schack Art Center. It’s a place where you can design a logo for a local brewery in the morning and work on technical manuals for a Boeing supplier in the afternoon.

Let’s cut through the noise. This isn’t a promotional brochure; it’s a data-driven look at whether your design career can survive—and thrive—in the Port Gardner Peninsula city.

The Salary Picture: Where Everett Stands

Everett’s design market is niche. You aren’t competing with the tech giants of Seattle, but you are competing with the low cost of living (relative to Seattle) and a smaller pool of jobs. The median salary for a Graphic Designer in Everett sits at $63,732/year, or $30.64/hour. That’s slightly higher than the national average of $61,340/year, but don't pop the champagne yet—Seattle’s median is significantly higher.

The local market is tight. According to BLS and local labor data, there are roughly 222 graphic design jobs in the metro area. The 10-year job growth is projected at 3%. That is stagnant. It means you aren't moving here for rapid career acceleration; you are moving here for stability and a lower cost of living.

Experience-Level Breakdown

Note: These are local market estimates based on the median baseline.

Level	Years of Experience	Annual Salary Estimate	Hourly Rate
Entry-Level	0-2 Years	$48,000 - $52,000	$23 - $25
Mid-Level	3-6 Years	$60,000 - $70,000	$29 - $34
Senior-Level	7-10 Years	$75,000 - $85,000	$36 - $41
Expert/Lead	10+ Years	$90,000+	$43+

Comparison to Other WA Cities

Everett sits in a "middle ground." It’s more affordable than Seattle but offers higher pay than rural areas.

City	Median Salary	Cost of Living Index	Job Market Volume
Everett	$63,732	113.0	Moderate (222 jobs)
Seattle	$78,000+	152.4	High (1,000+ jobs)
Tacoma	$60,500	112.0	Moderate
Spokane	$55,000	96.0	Low

Insider Tip: If you work remotely for a Seattle company while living in Everett, you effectively get a 20-30% pay bump in purchasing power. This is the most common survival strategy for local designers.

The Real Take-Home: After Taxes and Rent

Let’s do the math. The median salary of $63,732 breaks down to roughly $5,311/month gross. After federal taxes, FICA, and WA state payroll tax (no income tax, but high sales tax), your net take-home is approximately $3,950/month.

The Rent Problem:
The average 1BR rent in Everett is $1,864/month. That is 47% of your net income. That is high. Financial advisors generally recommend keeping housing under 30% of net income. In Everett, a graphic designer earning the median salary is "rent burdened."

Monthly Budget Breakdown (Median Salary)

Category	Cost	Notes
Net Income	$3,950	After taxes
Rent (1BR)	-$1,864	Average market rate
Utilities/Internet	-$200	PSE for power, Ziply or Comcast
Groceries	-$400	Fred Meyer & Costco runs
Car Payment/Gas	-$500	Everett requires a car; transit is limited
Health Insurance	-$300	Employer plan contribution
Debt/Student Loans	-$300	Varies
Remaining	$386	Savings & Entertainment

Can they afford to buy a home?
No. Not on this salary alone. The median home price in Everett is roughly $550,000. A 20% down payment is $110,000. A mortgage payment would exceed $3,000/month. Buying a home in Everett usually requires dual incomes or a significant down payment from prior savings/inheritance. Renting is the standard for solo graphic designers here.

Where the Jobs Are: Everett's Major Employers

The design jobs in Everett are not at startups; they are at established companies, healthcare networks, and aerospace suppliers. You need to look for "Marketing Coordinator," "Visual Designer," or "Production Artist" roles.

1. Boeing & Aerospace Suppliers (Sierra Nevada Corp, Gulfstream):

   • The Work: Technical illustration, branding for internal comms, trade show booth design, safety manual layout.
   • Trend: Highly stable, but bureaucratic. Security clearance can sometimes be required for defense-related projects.
   • Insider Tip: Look for "Proposal Graphic Designer" roles. They pay well because they directly support billion-dollar contracts.

2. Providence Regional Medical Center (Colby Campus):

   • The Work: Patient education materials, digital signage for the hospital, internal marketing for fundraising events.
   • Trend: Healthcare design is recession-proof. They have a dedicated in-house marketing team.

3. Fluke Corporation (Everett HQ):

   • The Work: Industrial design overlap, packaging for electronic test tools, catalog design, web assets.
   • Trend: Fluke is a legacy brand. They value clean, functional design over trendy aesthetics.

4. Alaska Air Group (Maintenance & Operations Hub):

   • The Work: Internal training materials, employee engagement graphics, branding for the maintenance division.
   • Trend: While their corporate HQ is in Seattle, their massive Everett maintenance base creates a steady stream of internal design needs.

5. Local Advertising & Print Shops:

   • Examples: Zoom Media & Marketing, local franchise branches.
   • The Work: Fast-paced layout, signage, vehicle wraps, and digital ad creation for local small businesses.
   • Trend: High turnover, good for building a portfolio, but expect long hours and lower pay.

Getting Licensed in WA

Washington State does not require a specific license to practice graphic design. There is no "Washington Graphic Design Board."

However, there are barriers to entry and professional standards:

• Education: Most jobs require a Bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design or a related field (BFA). An Associate’s degree from a community college like Everett Community College (EvCC) is a solid, affordable starting point.
• Certifications: While not mandatory, Adobe Certified Professional (ACP) credentials are highly respected by local print shops and corporate teams.
• Business License: If you freelance, you must register with the Washington Secretary of State and obtain a City of Everett Business License.
  • Cost: ~$90 initially, plus annual renewal fees.
  • Timeline: Can be done online in 1-2 days.
• Sales Tax: Washington has no income tax, but you must collect and remit sales tax (currently 10.1% in Everett) on tangible goods (like printed proofs) and some digital goods.

Best Neighborhoods for Graphic Designers

Where you live dictates your commute and your lifestyle. Everett is geographically small, but traffic on I-5 and SR-526 can be brutal.

1. Downtown Everett (Port Gardner):

   • Vibe: Urban, walkable, artsy. You’re near the Schack Art Center and the waterfront.
   • Commute: Walk or bike to most corporate offices. Easy access to the ferry terminal (if you work in Seattle occasionally).
   • Rent Estimate: $1,900 - $2,200 for a modern 1BR.

2. Northwest Everett (Baker Heights):

   • Vibe: Residential, quiet, older homes. Closer to the Mill Creek border.
   • Commute: 10-15 min drive to Boeing/Fluke. Good access to the I-5 northbound.
   • Rent Estimate: $1,700 - $1,900 for older 1BRs or studios.

3. south Everett (Airport Way/ Casino Road):

   • Vibe: Industrial, gritty, diverse. Close to the Paine Field (Boeing) campus.
   • Commute: 5-10 minutes to Boeing. Terrible traffic getting back into Seattle.
   • Rent Estimate: $1,500 - $1,750. More affordable, but check crime maps carefully.

4. Mill Creek (Technically adjacent, but Everett zip codes):

   • Vibe: Suburban, manicured, family-oriented. "The bubble."
   • Commute: 15-20 mins to Downtown Everett via SR-526.
   • Rent Estimate: $2,000+. Premium pricing for the lifestyle.

The Long Game: Career Growth

With a 3% job growth rate, you cannot rely on hopping jobs every two years to get raises. You must specialize.

• Specialty Premiums:

  • UX/UI Design: Adding UX skills can bump your salary ceiling to $85k+ locally, as you can work remotely for Seattle tech firms.
  • Motion Graphics: Video content is in demand for Alaska Air and aerospace trade shows. This skill set adds a 15-20% premium.
  • Print Production: Expert knowledge of large-format printing and die-cuts is gold for the manufacturing sector.

• Advancement Paths:

  1. Junior Designer -> Mid-Level Generalist (2-3 years)
  2. Mid-Level -> Senior Designer (Requires managing vendors/printers) (3-5 years)
  3. Senior Designer -> Creative Director (Rare locally; usually requires moving to Seattle or working remotely).

• 10-Year Outlook:
  The 3% growth means stability, not explosion. Everett’s design scene will remain tethered to aerospace, healthcare, and local service industries. If you want to work in cutting-edge tech or fashion, you will hit a ceiling here. If you want to build a solid portfolio and potentially freelance while enjoying the outdoors, the outlook is positive.

The Verdict: Is Everett Right for You?

Pros	Cons
Salary vs. Cost Ratio: $63,732 goes further here than in Seattle.	Job Saturation: Only 222 jobs means high competition for the good ones.
Access to Nature: Minutes from hiking (Five Mile Lake), water (Port Gardner), and skiing (Snoqualmie Pass).	Commute to Seattle: If you need to interview in Seattle often, the daily ferry/drive is exhausting.
Niche Industries: Unique design opportunities in aerospace and heavy industry.	Cultural Scene: Limited compared to Seattle; fewer design meetups and networking events.
No State Income Tax: Keeps your $63,732 gross higher than states with income tax.	Rent Burden: At $1,864/month, housing eats nearly half your net income.

Final Recommendation:
Everett is a "Grit & Grind" market. It is not the place for a fresh grad looking for a vibrant, creative community. It is the place for a mid-level designer who wants to buy a boat, hike on weekends, and work a stable 9-to-5 in a low-stress environment. If you can land a remote job paying Seattle wages while living in Everett, it’s a financial home run. If you must rely solely on the local job market, budget tight and specialize quickly.

FAQs

1. Is it easy to freelance in Everett?
It is possible but challenging. The local business community is small. You need to network aggressively at the Everett Chamber of Commerce. Most successful freelancers here serve clients in Seattle remotely while living in Everett for the lower rent.

2. Do I need a car?
Yes. Public transit (Community Transit/ Everett Transit) exists but is not reliable for commuting to industrial parks like Paine Field. If you live Downtown and work Downtown, you might get away with a bike, but winter rain makes that miserable.

3. How do I stand out in the local market?
Know print. Really know it. The aerospace and medical industries rely heavily on physical trade show booths, manuals, and packaging. Designers who understand CMYK, spot colors, and large-format printing are more valuable here than those who only know digital UI.

4. Is the weather a dealbreaker?
If you hate rain and gray skies, Everett is tough. It’s physically close enough to the mountains to get more snow than Seattle, but it shares the same marine layer gloom from November to April. However, the summers are spectacular and dry.

5. What is the best way to find a job here?
Indeed and LinkedIn are the main hubs. However, for the aerospace and manufacturing jobs, company career pages (Boeing, Fluke, Providence) are often posted before they hit aggregators. Also, check WorkSource Everett for local listings that aren't on national boards.