Graphic Designer Hourly Pay in Burlington, IA: $24.70 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a graphic designer working in Burlington, IA runs $24.70 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $51,390 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 27-1024). Weighted against Burlington's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.4, 10% below national), each hour of work buys what $27.33 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $30,829 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Burlington, IA, graphic designers earn a median hourly rate of $24.70, which significantly trails the national median of $31.29. For designers working part-time, such as three days a week, this translates into a manageable income that still allows for flexibility, whether in a collaborative creative agency, a corporate marketing office, or a freelance setup via platforms like Adobe CC and Figma. The hourly pay range in Burlington varies widely from $16.34 for entry-level positions to $38.29 for top earners, estimated from annual salaries. This wage structure offers insight into the financial landscape for graphic designers in the area, highlighting the difference in opportunities based on experience and specific roles within the profession.
About the Burlington Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($52,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Graphic Designer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $16.34 | $130.73 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $19.62 | $156.94 |
| Median (P50) | $24.70 | $197.62 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $31.33 | $250.63 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $38.29 | $306.36 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Burlington
Based on $24.70/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $24.70/hr, a graphic designer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Burlington, IA can expect to earn approximately $51,382 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $29,644. With a cost-of-living index of 90.40 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Burlington.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Burlington
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $988.12 | $4,282 | $51,382 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $592.87 | $2,569 | $30,829 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $395.25 | $1,713 | $20,553 |
Compare Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Graphic Designer (Burlington) | $24.70 |
| 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 Burlington, IA earn a median of $51,390 per year (2026 est.), which is 21.03% lower than the national median of $65,075 and 4.00% below the Iowa state average of $53,531.
Graphic Designer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $24.70/hr = $30,829/year (purchasing power: $34,103).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $51,382/year (purchasing power: $56,839).
CoL index: 90.4 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$19.78/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$23.90/hr
2026 Current Est.
$24.70/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+29.1%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Graphic Designers in Burlington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.36% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $19.78/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $20.26/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $19.25/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $22.01/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $22.36/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $21.70/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $23.90/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $24.70/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $25.53/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for graphic designers in Burlington grew 20.8% from $19.78/hr (2019) to $23.90/hr (2025). At a 3.36% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $25.53/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 Burlington 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 Burlington
Part-time graphic designers in Burlington who work 24 hours per week can expect to bring home about $30,500 annually, which is significantly less than full-time counterparts. Per-diem or contract graphic designers often command higher rates, typically billing $50 to $95 per hour, while specialists in motion graphics or brand identity can earn even more, reaching rates of $100 to $180 per hour. Various employer types influence these rates; in-house positions tend to favor stability and benefits, but agency roles may lure designers with a broader scope of projects at lower starting pay. Negotiating effectively is key; designers should aim for clarity in articulating their value based on portfolio, experience, and specialization. Assessing the trade-off between higher hourly rates without benefits and lower rates that offer health insurance can guide professionals in making informed choices about their career trajectories in the Burlington market.
More salary data for Burlington, IA:
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 Burlington. 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 Burlington 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