Graphic Designer Hourly Pay in Cartersville, GA: $24.58 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a graphic designer working in Cartersville, GA runs $24.58 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $51,117 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 27-1024). Weighted against Cartersville's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.1, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $26.40 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $30,675 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Cartersville, Georgia, graphic designers earn a median hourly rate of $24.58, which is considerably lower than the national hourly median of $31.29. This rate reflects various employment scenarios, whether part-time, such as working three days a week, or in contract roles that fit more flexible schedules. Graphic designers in this market work in settings that include agency creative studios, in-house corporate offices, and freelance gigs from home. Entry-level designers typically start at around $16.02, while experienced professionals can see their pay rise to about $37.42, making it essential for freelancers to effectively assess their worth and negotiate their rates, especially as they explore diverse project opportunities.
About the Cartersville Market
Salary estimated from Georgia average ($60,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Graphic Designer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $16.02 | $128.17 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $19.27 | $154.13 |
| Median (P50) | $24.58 | $196.63 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $30.41 | $243.27 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $37.42 | $299.33 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Cartersville
Based on $24.58/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $24.58/hr, a graphic designer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Cartersville, GA can expect to earn approximately $51,124 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $29,495. With a cost-of-living index of 93.10 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Cartersville.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Cartersville
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $983.16 | $4,260 | $51,124 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $589.90 | $2,556 | $30,675 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $393.26 | $1,704 | $20,450 |
Compare Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Graphic Designer (Cartersville) | $24.58 |
| 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 Cartersville, GA earn a median of $51,117 per year (2026 est.), which is 21.45% lower than the national median of $65,075 and 4.70% below the Georgia state average of $53,638.
Graphic Designer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $24.58/hr = $30,675/year (purchasing power: $32,948).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $51,124/year (purchasing power: $54,913).
CoL index: 93.1 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$19.68/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$23.78/hr
2026 Current Est.
$24.58/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+29.1%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Graphic Designers in Cartersville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.36% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $19.68/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $20.16/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $19.15/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $21.90/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $22.25/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $25.58/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $23.78/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $24.58/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $25.40/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for graphic designers in Cartersville grew 20.8% from $19.68/hr (2019) to $23.78/hr (2025). At a 3.36% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $25.40/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 Cartersville 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 Cartersville
For part-time graphic designers working 24 hours a week, the annual income contrasts sharply with their full-time counterparts, revealing the challenges of relying solely on part-time work without additional gigs. Typically, per-diem graphic designers in Cartersville are likely to bill rates ranging from $50 to $95 per hour for immediate projects, while those working in established agencies could achieve higher rates, especially within specialized fields like motion graphics or brand identity, where hourly fees can soar up to $180. Employers in Cartersville, whether they are in-house marketing departments of local businesses or nimble advertising agencies, will often provide different pay rates tied to job stability, such as health benefits versus higher freelance hourly payments. Understanding how to approach salary negotiations, especially for contract work, is crucial; designers must be equipped with knowledge of local pay standards and best practices to secure compensation that reflects their skills and the complexities of their projects.
More salary data for Cartersville, 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 Cartersville. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Cartersville is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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