Graphic Designer Pay

Barnstable Town vs Boston: Graphic Designer Salary (2026)

Compare graphic designer salaries between Barnstable Town, MA and Boston, MA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Barnstable Town, MA
$78,698
$37.83/hr
Boston, MA
$80,900
$38.89/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBarnstable Town, MABoston, MA
Median Salary$78,698$80,900
Hourly Rate$37.83$38.89
Entry Level (P10)$51,794$53,168
25th Percentile$58,016$63,556
75th Percentile$103,153$101,562
Top Earner (P90)$111,226$119,898
Total Employed603,560
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Barnstable Town ($78,698) and Boston ($80,900) graphic designer salaries.Barnstable TownBostonMedian Salary$78,698$80,900Entry Level (P10)$51,794$53,168Top Earner (P90)$111,226$119,898US Median $65,075

Verdict

Boston, MA offers better overall compensation for graphic designers, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Barnstable Town.

The salary gap between Barnstable Town and Boston is $2,202 (2.80%). Boston's median is +24.32% compared to the US national median of $65,075.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Barnstable Town spans $59,432,Boston spans $66,730. Boston has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced graphic designers.

Barnstable Town
P10 (Entry)$51,794
P25$58,016
Median$78,698
P75$103,153
P90 (Top)$111,226
Boston
P10 (Entry)$53,168
P25$63,556
Median$80,900
P75$101,562
P90 (Top)$119,898

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Barnstable Town ($80,017 effective) pays 7.08% more than Boston ($74,723 effective).

Barnstable Town
Nominal: $78,698
CoL Index: 98.351
Adjusted: $80,017
Boston
Nominal: $80,900
CoL Index: 108.266
Adjusted: $74,723

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Barnstable Town if…

  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $80,017)
  • You prefer the Massachusetts area and lifestyle

Choose Boston if…

  • Higher median salary ($80,900/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($119,898)
  • Larger job market (3,560 employed)
  • You prefer the Massachusetts area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, graphic designer salaries in Barnstable Town grew 75.6% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 18.3% growth in Boston over the same period.

Barnstable Town, MA

+75.6%

$43,350 (2019) → $76,140 (2025)

Boston, MA

+18.3%

$66,150 (2019) → $78,270 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays graphic designers more: Barnstable Town or Boston?

Boston has a higher median graphic designer salary at $80,900/year, compared to Barnstable Town at $78,698/year — a difference of $2,202 (2.80%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Barnstable Town and Boston?

Barnstable Town graphic designers earn $37.83/hr while Boston hygienists earn $38.89/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Barnstable Town to Boston as a graphic designer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Barnstable Town and Boston. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Barnstable Town = $80,017, Boston = $74,723), job availability (60 vs 3,560 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level graphic designers earn in Barnstable Town vs Boston?

Entry-level (10th percentile) graphic designers earn $51,794 in Barnstable Town and $53,168 in Boston. The Boston area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

JL

Written by Jordan Lee, MFA

Career Analyst

Jordan Lee has 10 years of experience in graphic design. They specialize in branding and visual identity. Their work includes freelance projects for small businesses.

Clinically reviewed by Amina Patel, BFAData verified by Carlos Rodriguez, MA

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 3.36% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, MFA, a licensed graphic designer with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov