Graphic Designer Hourly Pay in Albany, GA: $19.32 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a graphic designer working in Albany, GA runs $19.32 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $40,176 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 27-1024). Weighted against Albany's regional price level (BEA RPP 87.7, 12% below national), each hour of work buys what $22.04 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $24,109 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Albany, Georgia, the graphic designer hourly pay is estimated to be $19.32, which is significantly below the national hourly median of $31.29. This lower rate reflects the local market dynamics and may influence choices for part-time or per-diem graphic designers working three days a week. Typically, they find themselves in various environments, from collaborative agency settings to remote design projects utilizing Adobe Creative Suite. For those starting in the profession, hourly pay can be as low as $13.48, while experienced designers with specialized skills can earn up to $39.41 per hour. The diversity in hourly compensation highlights the broad pay scale from entry-level positions to top-tier earners in Albany, based on official BLS data projections.
Graphic Designer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $13.48 | $107.83 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $17.25 | $138.01 |
| Median (P50) | $19.32 | $154.54 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $27.03 | $216.23 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $39.41 | $315.29 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Albany
Based on $19.32/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $19.32/hr, a graphic designer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Albany, GA can expect to earn approximately $40,181 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $23,182. With a cost-of-living index of 87.67 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Albany.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Albany
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $772.72 | $3,348 | $40,181 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $463.63 | $2,009 | $24,109 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $309.09 | $1,339 | $16,073 |
Compare Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Graphic Designer (Albany) | $19.32 |
| 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 Albany, GA earn a median of $40,176 per year (2026 est.), which is 38.26% lower than the national median of $65,075 and 25.10% below the Georgia state average of $53,640.
Graphic Designer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $19.32/hr = $24,109/year (purchasing power: $27,500).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $40,181/year (purchasing power: $45,833).
CoL index: 87.669 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$15.47/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$18.69/hr
2026 Current Est.
$19.32/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+29.1%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Graphic Designers in Albany (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.36% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $15.47/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $19.53/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $21.65/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $21.76/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $17.33/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $24.25/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $18.69/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $19.32/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $19.97/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for graphic designers in Albany grew 20.8% from $15.47/hr (2019) to $18.69/hr (2025). At a 3.36% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $19.97/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 Albany 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 Albany
For part-time graphic designers working only 24 hours a week, their annual earnings amount to approximately $24,057, which is considerably less than what full-timers take home but still provides reasonable supplemental income. The per-diem opportunities in this field often allow designers to bill between $50 and $95 per hour, especially for those in agency roles. More established professionals, including senior brand and motion graphics designers, can command rates reaching $150 and even $180 hourly. Graphic designer hourly rates vary widely across different sectors in Albany. Corporate marketing teams may offer steadier pay, while ad agencies present broad project scopes but with less reliability. Freelancers might face rate competition but can negotiate larger fees for unique projects. Ultimately, graphic designers should weigh the trade-offs between higher hourly rates without benefits and lower rates with health coverage, ensuring they negotiate effectively based on their experience and the demands of the local market.
More salary data for Albany, GA:
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 Albany. 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