The Complete Career Guide for Graphic Designers in St. Louis, MO

Welcome to St. Louis. If you’re a graphic designer considering a move here, you’re looking at a city that’s neither a coastal creative hub nor a flyover town. It’s a place of deep history, fierce local pride, and a surprisingly robust design scene that hides beneath the surface of its corporate giants. As a local who’s watched the design landscape evolve over the past two decades, I can tell you this: St. Louis rewards hustle and authenticity. It’s not a place for flashy trends; it’s a place for building a solid, respected career with a cost of living that won’t keep you up at night. Let’s break down what that looks like for a graphic designer.

The Salary Picture: Where St. Louis Stands

When you crunch the numbers, St. Louis offers a compelling value proposition. The salary data speaks to a stable market where your skills are valued, but not at the inflated rates of cities like New York or San Francisco. This makes it a strategic launchpad, especially for those in the mid-career stage.

The median salary for a Graphic Designer in the St. Louis metropolitan area is $59,831/year, which translates to an hourly rate of $28.76/hour. This sits just below the national average of $61,340/year, a gap that’s more than offset by the city’s significantly lower cost of living. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), there are approximately 563 graphic design jobs in the metro, indicating a healthy, competitive pool rather than a saturated one.

The 10-year job growth projection for the field is 3%, which is consistent with the national average but signals something important: this isn’t an industry seeing explosive, tech-driven growth. It’s a mature field where advancement comes from specialization and experience, not just industry expansion. For a graphic designer, this means you need to be deliberate about your niche.

Here’s a realistic breakdown of what you can expect to earn at different career stages in St. Louis:

Experience Level	Years of Experience	Estimated Salary Range (St. Louis)
Entry-Level	0-2 years	$42,000 - $52,000
Mid-Career	3-7 years	$55,000 - $72,000
Senior	8-12 years	$70,000 - $85,000
Expert/Lead	12+ years	$85,000 - $110,000+

How does this compare to other Missouri cities?

• Kansas City: Often a slightly higher salary market for corporate and creative roles, with a median around $61,500, but a very similar cost of living. The choice often comes down to industry fit (KC has a stronger ad agency scene).
• Springfield: A much smaller market with lower salaries (median ~$51,000) and fewer specialized opportunities, better suited for those in generalist roles.
• Columbia: Home to the University of Missouri and a growing tech scene, but salaries are generally lower (~$54,000 median) and the job pool is much smaller.

St. Louis hits the sweet spot: a major metro area with corporate headquarters and a diverse economy, without the salary compression of smaller towns.

The Real Take-Home: After Taxes and Rent

Let’s be practical. The median salary of $59,831 is a gross figure. Here’s what it looks like to live on it in St. Louis, using the city’s low cost of living as your advantage.

Monthly Budget Breakdown (Based on $59,831/Year)

• Gross Monthly Pay: $4,986
• Estimated Taxes (Federal, State, FICA): ~$1,150 (approx. 23% effective rate)
• Net Take-Home Pay: ~$3,836
• Average 1BR Rent: $972/month (citywide average)
• Remaining Monthly Budget: ~$2,864

This remaining amount must cover utilities, groceries, car payments (St. Louis is a car-dependent city), health insurance, student loans, and savings. The key advantage here is the rent. In St. Louis, a $59,831 salary allows for a comfortable lifestyle with room for discretionary spending and savings, which is often not the case in cities with higher median salaries.

Can they afford to buy a home?
Yes, absolutely. The St. Louis housing market is one of the most affordable in the nation for a major metro. The median home price is roughly $265,000. With a 20% down payment ($53,000), a monthly mortgage payment (including taxes and insurance) could be around $1,400-$1,600. On a $59,831 salary, that’s about 35% of your gross income, which is high but manageable with a strict budget. Many designers in their early 30s are homeowners here, a milestone that’s often a decade away in coastal cities. It’s a huge factor in long-term financial stability.

Where the Jobs Are: St. Louis's Major Employers

The St. Louis job market for designers is anchored by three sectors: corporate headquarters, healthcare, and higher education. The “Silicon Prairie” tech scene is growing but still smaller than the traditional corporate base.

Here are the key players, based on local hiring trends (as of late 2023/early 2024):

1. Enterprise Holdings (Headquarters in Clayton): The world’s largest car rental company is a massive local employer. They have a large, in-house creative team for marketing, digital assets, and brand management. Hiring is steady, often for mid-to-senior level designers. Insider Tip: They value clean, corporate design and strong project management skills. The commute to Clayton from most city neighborhoods is about 20-30 minutes.

2. Centene Corporation (Headquarters in Clayton): A major healthcare insurer. Their marketing and communications departments are constantly looking for designers to create materials for a diverse member base. Insider Tip: This is a stable, corporate environment. They often hire for contract-to-perm roles, so being open to a 6-month contract is a good way to get your foot in the door.

3. BJC HealthCare (Headquarters in St. Louis): One of the largest non-profit health systems in the country. They have in-house design teams for patient education, digital platforms, and public campaigns. Insider Tip: BJC looks for designers who can simplify complex medical information. A portfolio with healthcare or UX/UI work is a major plus here.

4. Washington University in St. Louis: A world-class research university with a massive communications and marketing department. They hire designers for everything from admissions brochures to scientific publications. Insider Tip: The work is prestigious and the benefits are excellent. The hiring process can be slow, but it’s a coveted, long-term role.

5. Hallmark Cards (Kansas City, but a major regional employer): While headquartered in KC, Hallmark has a significant presence in St. Louis and recruits heavily from the local talent pool. They offer specialized roles in illustration and greeting card design. Insider Tip: This is a dream job for illustrators. It’s more competitive and requires a very strong, specific portfolio.

6. Local & Regional Agencies (e.g., GSD&M, The Myers Group): While not headquartered here, these and other agencies have significant St. Louis operations serving major local clients like Anheuser-Busch (InBev) and Bayer. Insider Tip: Agency life here is intense and client-driven. It’s a great place to build a portfolio fast, but burnout is real.

Hiring Trends: There’s a noticeable shift from print to digital. Employers are prioritizing UX/UI skills, motion graphics, and the ability to create for social media and web. The demand for pure print layout has diminished, but packaging and branding design remain strong, especially for local CPG (Consumer Packaged Goods) companies.

Getting Licensed in MO

For graphic designers, state licensure is virtually non-existent. You do not need a state-issued license to practice graphic design in Missouri. The “license” you need is a strong portfolio and relevant experience.

However, there are a few credentials and steps that can bolster your credibility, especially for corporate roles:

1. Professional Certifications (Optional but Valued):

   • Adobe Certified Professional (ACP): Certifications in Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign are recognized and can be a plus on a resume.
   • Google UX Design Certificate: Offered online via Coursera, this is increasingly relevant for digital-focused roles.
   • Cost: ACP exams are around $125 each. The Google certificate is $39/month on Coursera (typically takes 3-6 months).

2. Professional Memberships: Joining local and national groups connects you to the community.

   • AIGA St. Louis: The local chapter of the professional association for design. Member events are the best way to network and find unlisted jobs. Annual membership is $125-$250.
   • St. Louis Interactive Media & Gaming Association (STLMIGA): Great for digital and UX/UI designers.

3. Timeline to Get Started: If you’re moving to St. Louis in a few months, your focus should be on portfolio and networking. Plan to attend an AIGA St. Louis event within your first month. The job hunt itself can take 1-3 months for a mid-career designer, depending on the time of year (Q1 and Q3 are usually the busiest hiring periods).

Best Neighborhoods for Graphic Designers

St. Louis is a city of distinct neighborhoods. Your choice will impact your commute, lifestyle, and social scene. Most design jobs are in the suburbs (Clayton, Chesterfield, Maryland Heights) or in the central corridor (Central West End, Downtown).

Neighborhood	Vibe & Commute	Average 1BR Rent	Why It Works for Designers
Central West End (CWE)	Urban, walkable, near Forest Park. 15-min drive to most offices.	$1,200-$1,500	The classic "creative" neighborhood. Walkable to cafes, galleries, and the park. Popular with young professionals.
South City (Dogtown, The Hill)	Historic, diverse, more residential. 20-25 min commute.	$850-$1,100	More affordable, strong community feel. Great for those who want a house with a yard. Dogtown is especially charming.
Clayton	Corporate, polished, walkable downtown. 10-15 min commute to HQs.	$1,300-$1,700	You live where you work. High-end, safe, and convenient for enterprise roles. Walkable to lunch spots and after-work drinks.
The Grove	Vibrant, trendy, LGBTQ+ hub. 15-min drive to most offices.	$1,100-$1,400	Amazing restaurant and bar scene. Attracts a young, creative crowd. Close to the city’s best breweries and music venues.
Brentwood/Maplewood	Suburban, family-friendly, easy highway access. 20-30 min commute.	$950-$1,250	A great compromise for those working in Clayton or Chesterfield. Lower rent, more space, and a straight shot to the city’s core.

Insider Tip: If you work for a corporate employer like Enterprise or Centene in Clayton, living in the CWE or The Grove gives you a reverse commute (against traffic) which is a huge quality-of-life win.

The Long Game: Career Growth

In St. Louis, career growth is about specialization and moving from tactical to strategic. The 3% industry growth means you won’t climb by simply waiting for the industry to expand; you’ll climb by becoming indispensable.

Specialty Premiums:

• UX/UI Designer: Can command a 15-25% premium over a generalist. This is the single most valuable skill set in the market right now.
• Motion Graphics Designer: Highly valued for digital marketing and web. Premium of 10-20%.
• Brand Strategist: For senior designers who can move into conceptual and client-facing roles. Premium is 20-30% and often leads to leadership positions.

Advancement Paths:

1. In-House Track: Junior Designer → Graphic Designer → Senior Designer → Art Director → Creative Director. This is the most common path for stability and benefits. It requires strong collaboration and business acumen.
2. Agency Track: Designer → Senior Designer → Creative Director. Faster portfolio growth, higher pressure, common path to entrepreneurship.
3. Freelance/Solopreneur: Many St. Louis designers work freelance after building a network. The low cost of living makes it easier to take the leap. The local AIGA chapter is a critical resource for finding clients.

10-Year Outlook: The field will become more digital and integrated. The designer who understands not just aesthetics but also user data, business goals, and basic front-end development (like HTML/CSS) will thrive. St. Louis’s stable corporate base will continue to need these hybrid skills. Expect continued demand in healthcare, fintech (a growing sector here), and education.

The Verdict: Is St. Louis Right for You?

Pros	Cons
Extremely low cost of living relative to salary. Homeownership is a realistic goal.	Slower pace of innovation compared to coastal tech hubs. Fewer cutting-edge startups.
Stable job market with major corporate headquarters offering solid benefits.	Can be socially cliquey; networking is essential to break in.
Rich cultural scene (museums, free concerts in Forest Park, world-class zoo).	Car-centric; public transit is limited. You will need a reliable vehicle.
Strong sense of local pride and community; people are generally down-to-earth.	Design scene is smaller; you’ll see the same faces at events.
Short, manageable commutes compared to other major metros.	The “St. Louis Divide” (City vs. County) can be a real barrier in networking and housing.

Final Recommendation:
St. Louis is an excellent choice for mid-career graphic designers looking for financial stability, a better quality of life, and a chance to build a long-term career without the chaos of a hyper-competitive market. It’s less ideal for a recent graduate seeking a fast-paced, trend-driven startup scene, and it’s a challenging market for pure print designers. If you’re adaptable, willing to network, and value a mix of urban amenities and suburban practicality, St. Louis will reward you. Come for the job, stay for the toasted ravioli and the view from Art Hill.

FAQs

1. I’m a recent graduate. Is the St. Louis market too competitive for me?
It’s competitive, but not impenetrable. The key is to target smaller agencies, in-house teams at mid-sized companies (not just the Fortune 500), and seek out contract or internship roles first. Having a portfolio with a few real-world projects (even pro-bono for a local nonprofit) is crucial. Starting your job search 3-4 months before your move gives you a significant advantage.

2. How important is knowing someone to get a job here?
Very important. St. Louis operates heavily on referrals. The “who you know” network is strong. This is why attending AIGA St. Louis events or joining the St. Louis chapter of the American Advertising Federation is non-negotiable. It’s not about schmoozing; it’s about building genuine connections over coffee. Many design jobs are filled before they’re ever posted on LinkedIn.

3. What’s the deal with the city and county divide?
Politically and culturally, the City of St. Louis (independent from St. Louis County) is distinct from the suburban county. Corporate HQs like Enterprise are in the county (Clayton), while creative agencies and some startups are in the city. This is important for your commute and social life. Living in the city proper (like CWE or The Grove) gives you access to its vibrant culture, but a job in the county means a 15-25 minute drive. It’s a manageable trade-off.

4. Can I work remotely for a company outside Missouri?
Yes, and many do. The low cost of living makes you highly competitive for remote roles. However, there’s a caveat: remote positions often pay based on your location. A company based in Chicago might offer you a lower salary than a local St. Louis job. Weigh the benefits. For some, the flexibility is worth the pay cut.

5. What’s the best way to find a place to rent?
Use Zillow and Apartments.com, but also check Facebook Marketplace and “For Rent” signs in your target neighborhoods. The rental market is competitive in popular areas like the CWE and The Grove, but there’s good inventory. Be prepared with your credit report and references. Most leases start in May/June (university cycle) or August/September, so timing your move can help.