Graphic Designer Hourly Pay in Boulder, CO: $33.63 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a graphic designer working in Boulder, CO runs $33.63 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $69,954 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 27-1024). Weighted against Boulder's regional price level (BEA RPP 105.2, 5% above national), each hour of work buys what $31.97 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $41,974 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Boulder, Colorado, the graphic designer hourly pay is projected to reach a median of $33.63 in 2026, which is notably higher than the national hourly median of $31.29. This rate offers promising opportunities for part-time workers who might prefer to take on roles in various environments such as agency studios, in-house marketing departments, and even remote positions. A graphic designer working part-time, say three days a week, could capitalize on this wage, providing substantial earnings for freelance projects, which often come with flexible hours. The hourly range for graphic designers in Boulder extends from $23.21 for entry-level positions up to $61.83 for those at the top of the field, indicating a healthy demand and diverse opportunities within the industry. These figures are drawn from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS data, projected to 2026, highlighting the local market's competitive positioning.
Graphic Designer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $23.21 | $185.72 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $27.86 | $222.84 |
| Median (P50) | $33.63 | $269.07 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $44.42 | $355.39 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $61.83 | $494.64 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Boulder
Based on $33.63/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $33.63/hr, a graphic designer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Boulder, CO can expect to earn approximately $69,957 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $40,360. With a cost-of-living index of 105.20 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Boulder.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Boulder
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,345.33 | $5,830 | $69,957 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $807.20 | $3,498 | $41,974 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $538.13 | $2,332 | $27,983 |
Compare Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Graphic Designer (Boulder) | $33.63 |
| Web Developer (National Avg) | $45.87 |
| Art Director (National Avg) | $62.64 |
| Special Effects / Animator (National Avg) | $45.53 |
| Industrial Designer (National Avg) | $41.73 |
Graphic Designers in Boulder, CO earn a median of $69,954 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.50% higher than the national median of $65,075 and 9.10% above the Colorado state average of $64,119.
Graphic Designer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $33.63/hr = $41,974/year (purchasing power: $39,899).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $69,957/year (purchasing power: $66,498).
CoL index: 105.202 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$27.92/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$32.54/hr
2026 Current Est.
$33.63/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+24.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Graphic Designers in Boulder (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.36% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $27.92/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $26.89/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $29.79/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $30.08/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $29.81/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $31.49/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $32.54/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $33.63/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $34.76/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for graphic designers in Boulder grew 16.5% from $27.92/hr (2019) to $32.54/hr (2025). At a 3.36% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $34.76/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem graphic designers can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Boulder metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 3.36% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Graphic Designer in Boulder
Part-time graphic designers working 24 hours a week in Boulder could eventually bring in a significant annual income, approaching the legitimacy of full-time earnings while enjoying more flexibility. For those entering the per-diem market, rates can vary widely, with contracts and agency roles typically billing from $50 to $95 per hour, while specialized positions like motion graphics designers may command rates between $100 and $180 per hour. Such figures demonstrate an edge for the experienced, particularly in freelance brand identity projects, where flat fees can range from $3,000 to over $30,000 depending on complexity. In Boulder, hourly rates also vary widely by employer type, whether in-house corporate teams offering health benefits or boutique agencies where the creative scope can be broader but less stable. Designers should weigh the trade-off between securing a steady hourly wage with benefits against pursuing higher hourly rates that may lack the same level of security. Negotiation can be key, highlighting specific skills and local market standards, especially in a city like Boulder where design talent is highly sought-after.
More salary data for Boulder, CO:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 3.36% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for graphic designers in Boulder. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.36%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for graphic designers (SOC 27-1024).
Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, MFA, a licensed graphic designer with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov