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Entry Level Graduate Graphic Designer Jobs in Washington, DC

WMATA

Graphics Designer, Maps

Washington, DC · On-site

$75 - $110/hr

Are you a design school graduate and professionally trained cartographer? If so, this is your ... As a Graphic Designer, specializing in Maps on Metro's Customer Experience team, you'll transform ...

New

AEG

Graphic Design/Marketing Fellowship

Rockville, MD · On-site

MARKETING AND GRAPHIC DESIGN INTERNSHIP The Bethesda Big Train is seeking a college or graduate school student to perform marketing functions and graphic design in support of the Big Train's front ...

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All JobsGraduate Graphic Designer JobsEntry Level Graduate Graphic Designer JobsEntry Level Graduate Graphic Designer Jobs in Washington, DC

Entry Level Graduate Graphic Designer information

See Washington, DC salary details

$14

$26

$35

How much do entry level graduate graphic designer jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 3, 2026, the average hourly pay for entry level graduate graphic designer in Washington, DC is $26.21, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $22.07 and $29.42 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does an entry level graduate graphic designer do?

An Entry Level Graduate Graphic Designer is responsible for creating visual concepts to communicate ideas that inspire, inform, or captivate consumers. They typically work under the supervision of senior designers and assist with projects such as designing logos, brochures, advertisements, and digital content. Entry level designers use graphic design software like Adobe Creative Suite to develop layouts and artwork, while also collaborating with other team members to ensure cohesive branding. This role helps recent graduates build their portfolios and gain practical experience in the field.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an entry level graduate graphic designer?

To thrive as an Entry Level Graduate Graphic Designer, you need a solid understanding of design principles, color theory, and typography, typically supported by a degree in graphic design or a related field. Proficiency with industry-standard design software such as Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign) is essential. Creativity, attention to detail, and strong communication skills help you interpret briefs and collaborate effectively with clients and team members. These skills ensure you can produce visually compelling work that meets project goals and client expectations in a competitive creative industry.

What types of projects and tasks can an entry level graduate graphic designer expect to work on during their first year?

As an entry level graduate graphic designer, you’ll typically assist with a range of creative projects such as developing digital and print assets, creating social media graphics, preparing marketing materials, and supporting brand identity initiatives. You’ll often collaborate closely with senior designers, copywriters, and marketing teams to refine concepts and adapt designs to client feedback. Early on, you may also be tasked with production work like resizing images, preparing files for print, and maintaining visual consistency across various platforms. This hands-on experience is invaluable for building a strong design portfolio and understanding workflow processes in a professional setting.

What is the difference between Entry Level Graduate Graphic Designer vs Junior Graphic Designer?

AspectEntry Level Graduate Graphic DesignerJunior Graphic Designer
Required CredentialsDegree in Graphic Design or related field, portfolioSome experience, portfolio, possibly a degree
Work EnvironmentInternship or entry-level position, learning-focusedFull-time role, more independent responsibilities
Employer & Industry UsageDesign agencies, marketing firms, in-house teamsDesign agencies, corporate marketing departments

Typically, an Entry Level Graduate Graphic Designer is a recent graduate starting their career, often in internships or entry-level roles, focusing on learning and skill development. A Junior Graphic Designer usually has some work experience, handling more responsibilities and working more independently. Both roles are common in similar environments, but the Junior role generally requires a bit more practical experience.

What are the most commonly searched types of Graduate Graphic Designer jobs in Washington, DC?

The most popular types of Graduate Graphic Designer jobs in Washington, DC are:

What are popular job titles related to Entry Level Graduate Graphic Designer jobs in Washington, DC?

For Entry Level Graduate Graphic Designer jobs in Washington, DC, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Entry Level Graduate Graphic Designer jobs in Washington, DC look for?

The top searched job categories for Entry Level Graduate Graphic Designer jobs in Washington, DC are:

Entry Level Graduate Graphic Designer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Entry Level Graduate Graphic Designer job openings in Washington, DC as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 2% As Needed, 76% Full Time, 18% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 95% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $54,525 per year, or $26.2 per hour.

Graphics Designer, Maps

WMATA

Washington, DC • On-site

$75 - $110/hr

Other

Posted 2 days ago

New

Job description

Graphics Designer, Maps Marketing Statement

Do you recognize the names Vignelli, Weese, and Wyman? Do you know their work, and can you talk knowledgeably about it? Are you a design school graduate and professionally trained cartographer? If so, this is your opportunity to build on that tradition and help shape how millions of Metro customers navigate the region every day.

As a Graphic Designer, specializing in Maps on Metro’s Customer Experience team, you’ll transform complex transit data into clear, accessible, and visually compelling maps and wayfinding solutions. Your work will support customers across stations, rail lines, bus routes, special events, and service changes through print, digital, and environmental graphics.

This role offers a unique opportunity to combine cartographic expertise, design excellence, and public service while contributing to one of the nation’s most recognized transit systems. The position is based on-site at Metro’s L’Enfant Plaza headquarters in Washington, DC.

Job Summary

The Graphic Designer, Maps position is responsible for designing, producing, and maintaining customer-facing maps that support wayfinding and service information across Metro. This role supports the end-to-end lifecycle of map development - from geospatial data intake and cartographic design through production while reporting to the Product Manager for Wayfinding and Service Information. This role also maintains guidelines, standards, and continuous improvement. The incumbent designs, supports, develops, and maintains customer-facing map assets and the guidelines that inform their creation, translating complex multimodal transit data into clear, accessible, and visually consistent map products. While the primary focus is cartography, the position also supports other wayfinding and service information graphics to ensure consistency across customer touchpoints.

Principal Job Duties
  • Designs, produces, and maintains customer-facing maps across print and digital platforms, supporting bus, rail, parking, and station access environments.
  • Translates GIS, network, and operational data into clear, accurate, and user-centered cartographic products.
  • Develops and stewards standardized map components, including symbology, legends, color systems, typography, and layer logic.
  • Supports Wayfinding and Service Information's ownership of customer-facing map standards, documentation, version control, and asset organization.
  • Ensures map products meet accessibility, usability, and governance requirements, including WCAG compliance and cross-device use.
  • Coordinates cross-functional inputs from Planning, Operations, Maintenance, Digital, and Design partners to align data and design intent.
  • Supports project management and contract oversight for map design and production, including review of contractor deliverables.
Other Duties
  • Collaborates on broader wayfinding and service information initiatives and assists with non-map graphic design work as needed to ensure systemwide consistency.
  • Supports other Customer Experience graphic design projects as needed
  • Maintains awareness of cartographic, GIS, and graphic design trends through professional development.
  • Incorporates stakeholder feedback into revised deliverables in a timely manner.
  • Manages multiple projects simultaneously and communicates effectively regarding priorities and deadlines.
  • Maintains and promotes awareness and accountability with safety policies and procedures while performing job functions. Promotes a positive safety culture and encourages reporting of safety concerns consistent with our Agency Safety Plan, other regulatory requirements within the Safety Management System and just culture principles.

The functions listed are not intended to limit specific duties and responsibilities of any particular position. Nor is it intended to limit in any way the right of managers and supervisors to assign, direct and control the work of employees under their supervision.

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