Graphic Designer Hourly Pay in Schaumburg, IL: $27.55 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a graphic designer working in Schaumburg, IL runs $27.55 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $57,299 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 27-1024). Weighted against Schaumburg's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.1, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $28.37 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $34,377 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Schaumburg, Illinois, the graphic designer hourly pay stands at a median of $27.55, significantly lower than the national hourly median of $31.29. This figure reflects a typical earning potential for various employment settings such as agency creative studios, in-house marketing departments, and freelance workspaces. Part-time graphic designers working on a three-day week schedule can expect to earn around $45,000 annually, while more experienced professionals can command hourly wages significantly higher than the median. Entry-level designers may earn approximately $18.11, while top earners in this locale can see rates soar to around $42.70. This range showcases the diversity of income potential, making Schaumburg an interesting market for graphic design professionals.
About the Schaumburg 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) | $18.11 | $144.87 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $21.89 | $175.13 |
| Median (P50) | $27.55 | $220.36 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $35.07 | $280.56 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $42.70 | $341.58 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Schaumburg
Based on $27.55/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $27.55/hr, a graphic designer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Schaumburg, IL can expect to earn approximately $57,295 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $33,055. With a cost-of-living index of 97.10 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Schaumburg.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Schaumburg
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,101.82 | $4,775 | $57,295 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $661.09 | $2,865 | $34,377 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $440.73 | $1,910 | $22,918 |
Compare Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Graphic Designer (Schaumburg) | $27.55 |
| 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 Schaumburg, IL earn a median of $57,299 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.95% lower than the national median of $65,075 and 1.80% below the Illinois state average of $58,349.
Graphic Designer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $27.55/hr = $34,377/year (purchasing power: $35,403).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $57,295/year (purchasing power: $59,006).
CoL index: 97.1 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$22.06/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$26.65/hr
2026 Current Est.
$27.55/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+29.1%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Graphic Designers in Schaumburg (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.36% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $22.06/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $22.59/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $21.46/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $24.55/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $24.94/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $28.42/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $26.65/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $27.55/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $28.47/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for graphic designers in Schaumburg grew 20.8% from $22.06/hr (2019) to $26.65/hr (2025). At a 3.36% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $28.47/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 Schaumburg 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 Schaumburg
Focusing on part-time work, a graphic designer in Schaumburg working just 24 hours a week may take home about $39,876 per year, illustrating the income differences in this profession. The per diem graphic designer pay in Schaumburg often trends higher, with contract professionals billing $50-$95 per hour for typical projects, while specialists in motion graphics or brand design might earn from $75 to $180 hourly. Rates can vary widely based on the employer type, where in-house roles within corporate marketing teams offer steadier pay but may not match the rewards found in agency structures. Designers should weigh the trade-offs between securing benefits with lower pay versus higher hourly rates without additional perks. Negotiating effectively for better hourly rates can be crucial, especially in a competitive area like Schaumburg, where both freelance opportunities and full-time positions exist at various levels of pay and stability.
More salary data for Schaumburg, 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 Schaumburg. 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 Schaumburg 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