Graphic Designer Hourly Pay in Emporia, KS: $26.25 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a graphic designer working in Emporia, KS runs $26.25 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $54,610 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 27-1024). Weighted against Emporia's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.9, 9% below national), each hour of work buys what $28.88 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $32,764 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Emporia, Kansas, graphic designers can expect to earn a median hourly pay of $26.25, which is significantly lower than the national median of $31.29. This hourly rate has practical implications for those considering part-time roles or per-diem positions in environments such as bustling agency studios, in-house marketing teams, freelance setups, or remote collaborations using Adobe Creative Suite and Figma. For entry-level designers, hourly pay starts at around $17.95, while the highest earners in Emporia can command rates up to $40.69. These numbers are derived from annual salary figures and highlight the varying levels of experience and expertise within the graphic design field.
About the Emporia Market
Salary estimated from Kansas average ($52,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Graphic Designer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $17.95 | $143.63 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $21.20 | $169.59 |
| Median (P50) | $26.25 | $210.03 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $33.60 | $268.82 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $40.69 | $325.54 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Emporia
Based on $26.25/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $26.25/hr, a graphic designer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Emporia, KS can expect to earn approximately $54,607 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $31,504. With a cost-of-living index of 90.90 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Emporia.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Emporia
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,050.14 | $4,551 | $54,607 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $630.08 | $2,730 | $32,764 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $420.06 | $1,820 | $21,843 |
Compare Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Graphic Designer (Emporia) | $26.25 |
| 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 Emporia, KS earn a median of $54,610 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.08% lower than the national median of $65,075 and 7.70% below the Kansas state average of $59,166.
Graphic Designer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $26.25/hr = $32,764/year (purchasing power: $36,044).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $54,607/year (purchasing power: $60,074).
CoL index: 90.9 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$21.02/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$25.40/hr
2026 Current Est.
$26.25/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+29.1%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Graphic Designers in Emporia (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.36% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $21.02/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $21.54/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $20.46/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $23.39/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $23.77/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $20.98/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $25.40/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $26.25/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $27.14/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for graphic designers in Emporia grew 20.8% from $21.02/hr (2019) to $25.40/hr (2025). At a 3.36% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $27.14/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 Emporia 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 Emporia
When examining the financial potential of a part-time graphic designer working three days a week in Emporia, the annual earnings would be roughly $33,000, considerably less than a full-time counterpart, which could exceed $54,000. Contract designers often experience different realities altogether, with per diem rates widely varying; for example, per-diem graphic designer pay in Emporia might reach between $50-$95 per hour, while specialists in brand design or motion graphics may earn significantly more. In-house positions generally offer stability and benefits compared to agency roles, which tend to offer broader project diversity but with typically lower initial compensation. Designers must weigh their choices carefully, especially in negotiations, often trading off hourly pay for health benefits and regular hours versus the lure of freelance flexibility and potentially higher pay with contracts that may not provide the same security.
More salary data for Emporia, KS:
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 Emporia. 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 Emporia 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