Graphic Designer Hourly Pay in Champaign, IL: $29.91 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a graphic designer working in Champaign, IL runs $29.91 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $62,223 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 27-1024). Weighted against Champaign's regional price level (BEA RPP 92.7, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $32.27 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $37,331 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Champaign, IL offers a competitive graphic designer hourly pay rate, with a median of $29.91 per hour. This figure falls slightly below the national hourly median of $31.29, which can be significant for those considering part-time or freelance work as a graphic designer in the area. A part-time designer working three days a week can expect to take home an attractive income while enjoying flexibility in their schedule, typically working in diverse environments such as agency studios, in-house marketing departments, and freelance setups. Entry-level graphic designers in Champaign generally start around $19.65 per hour, while top earners can see rates of up to $39.43 per hour, illustrating a dynamic pay range based on experience and specialization. This data is derived from projected estimates based on 2025 BLS OEWS data.
Graphic Designer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $19.65 | $157.19 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $24.22 | $193.74 |
| Median (P50) | $29.91 | $239.30 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $32.57 | $260.55 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $39.43 | $315.45 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Champaign
Based on $29.91/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $29.91/hr, a graphic designer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Champaign, IL can expect to earn approximately $62,218 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $35,895. With a cost-of-living index of 92.70 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Champaign.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Champaign
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,196.50 | $5,185 | $62,218 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $717.90 | $3,111 | $37,331 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $478.60 | $2,074 | $24,887 |
Compare Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Graphic Designer (Champaign) | $29.91 |
| 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 Champaign, IL earn a median of $62,223 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.38% lower than the national median of $65,075 and 6.60% above the Illinois state average of $58,370.
Graphic Designer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $29.91/hr = $37,331/year (purchasing power: $40,269).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $62,218/year (purchasing power: $67,114).
CoL index: 92.704 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$20.64/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$28.94/hr
2026 Current Est.
$29.91/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+49.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Graphic Designers in Champaign (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.36% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $20.64/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $21.62/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $23.89/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $25.36/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $24.45/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $27.77/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $28.94/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $29.91/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $30.92/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for graphic designers in Champaign grew 40.2% from $20.64/hr (2019) to $28.94/hr (2025). At a 3.36% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $30.92/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 Champaign 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 Champaign
Focusing on part-time earnings, a graphic designer working for 24 hours a week would realistically earn around $37,000 annually, which can provide a comfortable living, particularly given Champaign's cost of living index of 92.704. For more seasoned professionals, per-diem options offer higher pay; agency and freelance designers can bill $50-$95 per hour, while specialists in motion graphics or brand identity may command rates from $100 to $180 per hour, reflecting the premium placed on these skills. Comparison among employer types reveals that those in corporate roles might earn steadier pay, but agencies and freelance opportunities provide broader project scopes and more creative flexibility. Health insurance benefits often sway decisions for graphic designers, with some opting for lower hourly rates in exchange for job security. When negotiating rates, designers in Champaign should highlight their portfolio and experience to leverage better hourly pay and market their unique skills effectively.
More salary data for Champaign, 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 Champaign. 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