Graphic Designer Hourly Pay in Carol Stream, IL: $27.19 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a graphic designer working in Carol Stream, IL runs $27.19 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $56,571 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 27-1024). Weighted against Carol Stream's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.1, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $28.01 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $33,938 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Carol Stream, Illinois, graphic designers earn a median hourly wage of $27.19, significantly lower than the national median of $31.29. This rate offers various opportunities for part-time and per-diem work, especially in settings such as agency creative spaces, in-house marketing departments, and freelance environments that utilize collaboration tools like Adobe CC and Figma. The hourly pay scale for graphic designers in Carol Stream spans a range from $16.56 for entry-level positions to $42.16 for seasoned professionals. For individuals considering graphic design work in this area, understanding these projected hourly rates will be essential for making informed career choices and negotiations.
About the Carol Stream Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Graphic Designer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $16.56 | $132.47 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $22.19 | $177.53 |
| Median (P50) | $27.19 | $217.55 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $34.81 | $278.49 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $42.16 | $337.28 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Carol Stream
Based on $27.19/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $27.19/hr, a graphic designer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Carol Stream, IL can expect to earn approximately $56,564 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $32,633. With a cost-of-living index of 97.10 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Carol Stream.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Carol Stream
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,087.76 | $4,714 | $56,564 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $652.66 | $2,828 | $33,938 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $435.10 | $1,885 | $22,625 |
Compare Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Graphic Designer (Carol Stream) | $27.19 |
| 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 Carol Stream, IL earn a median of $56,571 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.07% lower than the national median of $65,075 and 3.00% below the Illinois state average of $58,321.
Graphic Designer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $27.19/hr = $33,938/year (purchasing power: $34,952).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $56,564/year (purchasing power: $58,253).
CoL index: 97.1 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$21.78/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$26.31/hr
2026 Current Est.
$27.19/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+29.1%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Graphic Designers in Carol Stream (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.36% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $21.78/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $22.31/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $21.19/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $24.23/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $24.62/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $28.06/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $26.31/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $27.19/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $28.11/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for graphic designers in Carol Stream grew 20.8% from $21.78/hr (2019) to $26.31/hr (2025). At a 3.36% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $28.11/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 Carol Stream 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 Carol Stream
Considering the earning potential for part-time work, a graphic designer working three days a week—totaling approximately 24 hours—would earn about $33,860 annually, a stark contrast to full-time earnings. Those seeking per-diem work may charge anywhere from $50 to $95 per hour, while senior positions in the field can command even higher rates, particularly in specialties like motion graphics, which may see billing between $100 and $180 per hour. Additionally, the variety of employment types available in Carol Stream means that hourly rates can vary widely. In-house teams in corporate settings may offer steadier jobs with benefits but might pay less overall compared to dynamic roles in agency environments or freelancing, where creative scope is broader but income can be sporadic. Designers should weigh these factors carefully when negotiating pay, particularly the trade-off between higher hourly rates without benefits versus lower rates that offer health insurance and job security.
More salary data for Carol Stream, IL:
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 Carol Stream. 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 Carol Stream 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