The amount one can make as a graphic designer varies greatly so I’m here to break it down for you:
The AIGA (American Institute of Graphic Arts) conducts yearly studies of design salaries and host an online salary calculator. View related links below.
On average, entry-level designers can expect to earn $30k-$35k. artists with competence and worthy portfolios can expect to earn around $40k-$45k, with potential to earn closer to $75k with experience. If you become a Creative Director of a firm, you are more likely to earn $85k-$100k. (source=answers.com)
Then in all walks of life you have those that think out side of the box those type of people might have a design team therebye increasing there output and thereby increasing there bye increasing there pay… There is no ceiling to how much a great team can pull in and if your the leader of that team well lets just say you write your own pay check…
However one should first consider if this is what they truly love to do because there is no amount of money that can make one happy indefinately and therefore you might as well be doing a job or business that you love… we love graphics and web development thats why we do it the pay is just the icing on the cake, and now that we are developing non-profits it developes mor happiness… So if you go to college and want to be an average graphics designer and that is what makes you happy then go for it…