Graphic Designer Hourly Pay in Urban Honolulu, HI: $28.96 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a graphic designer working in Urban Honolulu, HI runs $28.96 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $60,228 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 27-1024). Weighted against Urban Honolulu's regional price level (BEA RPP 111.0, 11% above national), each hour of work buys what $26.10 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $36,144 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Graphic designers in Urban Honolulu, Hawaii, earn a median hourly rate of $28.96, which positions them below the national median of $31.29. This rate is significant, particularly for those working part-time or on per-diem contracts. A graphic designer working three days a week could expect to earn approximately $1,390 monthly, making it suitable for professionals seeking flexible work arrangements or supplementing other income sources. The hourly pay ranges from $15.85 for entry-level positions to $45.25 for those at the top of their field, reflecting the diverse opportunities within various workplaces like design agencies, in-house marketing departments, and freelance settings. According to recent estimates based on 2025 BLS OEWS data projected to 2026, this hourly data provides a clear snapshot of earning potential in the local market.
Graphic Designer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $15.85 | $126.76 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $22.93 | $183.40 |
| Median (P50) | $28.96 | $231.69 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $38.97 | $311.73 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $45.25 | $362.01 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Urban Honolulu
Based on $28.96/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $28.96/hr, a graphic designer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Urban Honolulu, HI can expect to earn approximately $60,240 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $34,754. With a cost-of-living index of 110.96 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Urban Honolulu.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Urban Honolulu
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,158.46 | $5,020 | $60,240 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $695.08 | $3,012 | $36,144 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $463.38 | $2,008 | $24,096 |
Compare Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Graphic Designer (Urban Honolulu) | $28.96 |
| 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 Urban Honolulu, HI earn a median of $60,228 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.45% lower than the national median of $65,075 and 22.40% below the Hawaii state average of $77,613.
Graphic Designer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $28.96/hr = $36,144/year (purchasing power: $32,574).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $60,240/year (purchasing power: $54,289).
CoL index: 110.961 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$25.25/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$28.02/hr
2026 Current Est.
$28.96/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+18.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Graphic Designers in Urban Honolulu (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.36% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $25.25/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $27.59/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $24.03/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $25.68/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $24.59/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $24.82/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $28.02/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $28.96/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $29.93/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for graphic designers in Urban Honolulu grew 11.0% from $25.25/hr (2019) to $28.02/hr (2025). At a 3.36% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $29.93/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 Urban Honolulu 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 Urban Honolulu
When evaluating the earning potential for part-time designers, working 24 hours a week could yield an annual income lower than that of full-time peers but offers a chance to maintain a healthy work-life balance. For example, per-diem graphic designers in Urban Honolulu might charge between $50 and $95 an hour, with specialists in motion graphics and brand identity commanding even higher rates, sometimes up to $180 per hour. Employers ranging from large banks to independent production shops offer varied pay scales reflecting their project scopes and budgets. Some designers may opt for lower hourly rates within in-house positions at corporations, trading off higher rates in agency work for the security of benefits. Negotiating hourly pay is crucial, especially in a city with a higher cost of living; being prepared with market comparisons and showcasing a strong portfolio can strengthen one's position in discussions about pay.
More salary data for Urban Honolulu, HI:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for graphic designers in Urban Honolulu in 2026?
How much do part-time graphic designers make in Urban Honolulu?
Are graphic designers in Urban Honolulu paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time graphic designer make per year in Urban Honolulu?
Do graphic designers earn more per hour working part-time in Urban Honolulu?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Hawaii
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 Urban Honolulu. 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