Graphic Designer Hourly Pay in Pueblo, CO: $28.19 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a graphic designer working in Pueblo, CO runs $28.19 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $58,636 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 27-1024). Weighted against Pueblo's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.8, 8% below national), each hour of work buys what $30.72 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $35,176 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Pueblo, Colorado, graphic designers can expect to earn a median hourly rate of $28.19, which falls below the national median of $31.29. This rate provides a foundational income for various work arrangements, whether part-time, in-house, or freelance. For graphic designers working three days a week, this hourly pay translates to consistent earnings in diverse settings such as agency studios, corporate marketing departments, and remote offices. The hourly rate ranges from $20.36 for entry-level positions to $61.23 for seasoned professionals, reflecting the breadth of experience and specialization within the field. For those operating in industries requiring design skills like Adobe Creative Suite, the compensation structure indicated by the official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data reveals how individual career paths can vary significantly.
Graphic Designer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $20.36 | $162.90 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $23.37 | $186.96 |
| Median (P50) | $28.19 | $225.49 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $42.13 | $337.04 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $61.23 | $489.84 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Pueblo
Based on $28.19/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $28.19/hr, a graphic designer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Pueblo, CO can expect to earn approximately $58,627 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $33,824. With a cost-of-living index of 91.76 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Pueblo.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Pueblo
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,127.45 | $4,886 | $58,627 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $676.47 | $2,931 | $35,176 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $450.98 | $1,954 | $23,451 |
Compare Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Graphic Designer (Pueblo) | $28.19 |
| 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 Pueblo, CO earn a median of $58,636 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.89% lower than the national median of $65,075 and 8.60% below the Colorado state average of $64,153.
Graphic Designer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $28.19/hr = $35,176/year (purchasing power: $38,334).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $58,627/year (purchasing power: $63,891).
CoL index: 91.762 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$22.57/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$27.27/hr
2026 Current Est.
$28.19/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+29.1%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Graphic Designers in Pueblo (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.36% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $22.57/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $19.21/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $23.24/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $21.54/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $25.00/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $26.53/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $27.27/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $28.19/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $29.13/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for graphic designers in Pueblo grew 20.8% from $22.57/hr (2019) to $27.27/hr (2025). At a 3.36% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $29.13/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 Pueblo 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 Pueblo
In terms of annual earning potential, a part-time graphic designer working 24 hours a week could expect to take home about $35,051, compared to the higher earnings of full-time professionals. Many per-diem graphic designers, particularly those operating on a contract basis, often have the opportunity to charge higher rates, ranging from $50-$95 per hour, with specialists in motion graphics or brand identity commanding more—sometimes up to $180 per hour. In Pueblo, hourly compensation can also differ by employer type, with in-house corporate positions generally providing steadier pay and benefits, while agency jobs may offer lower starting wages but greater project variety and creative freedom. Designers must weigh the advantages of lower hourly rates with benefits against the higher pay options that lack health insurance. Negotiating tips for hourly roles include articulating your specific skills and project successes, reflecting an understanding of the local market dynamics to secure the best possible rate.
More salary data for Pueblo, 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 Pueblo. 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, 6-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