Graphic Designer Hourly Pay in Madisonville, KY: $22.98 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a graphic designer working in Madisonville, KY runs $22.98 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $47,797 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 27-1024). Weighted against Madisonville's regional price level (BEA RPP 89.3, 11% below national), each hour of work buys what $25.73 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $28,675 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, graphic designers in Madisonville, Kentucky, can expect a median hourly pay of $22.98, significantly below the national median of $31.29 per hour. This difference suggests that local professionals may need to balance their hours more strategically, especially if considering part-time opportunities or per-diem work environments across various settings. Designers working three days a week could earn approximately $1,103.04 per week before taxes. The hourly range for graphic designers in Madisonville spans from $14.99 for entry-level positions to $34.94 for those at the top end of the pay scale, indicating a variety of earning potential based on experience and specialization. Whether operating from home, collaborating remotely, or crafting designs in bustling agency offices, these hourly estimates reflect the realities of the industry in the region, derived from annual salary projections.
About the Madisonville Market
Salary estimated from Kentucky average ($48,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Graphic Designer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $14.99 | $119.90 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $18.03 | $144.21 |
| Median (P50) | $22.98 | $183.82 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $28.47 | $227.72 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $34.94 | $279.49 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Madisonville
Based on $22.98/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $22.98/hr, a graphic designer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Madisonville, KY can expect to earn approximately $47,792 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $27,572. With a cost-of-living index of 89.30 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Madisonville.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Madisonville
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $919.08 | $3,983 | $47,792 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $551.45 | $2,390 | $28,675 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $367.63 | $1,593 | $19,117 |
Compare Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Graphic Designer (Madisonville) | $22.98 |
| 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 Madisonville, KY earn a median of $47,797 per year (2026 est.), which is 26.55% lower than the national median of $65,075 and 4.70% below the Kentucky state average of $50,154.
Graphic Designer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $22.98/hr = $28,675/year (purchasing power: $32,111).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $47,792/year (purchasing power: $53,518).
CoL index: 89.3 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$18.40/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$22.23/hr
2026 Current Est.
$22.98/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+29.1%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Graphic Designers in Madisonville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.36% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $18.40/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $18.85/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $17.90/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $20.48/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $20.80/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $19.63/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $22.23/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $22.98/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $23.75/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for graphic designers in Madisonville grew 20.8% from $18.40/hr (2019) to $22.23/hr (2025). At a 3.36% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $23.75/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 Madisonville 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 Madisonville
For part-time graphic designers in Madisonville who work approximately 24 hours a week, the overall annual income can be notably lower than their full-time counterparts. In this case, a designer may expect to take home around $57,600 annually, as opposed to a full-time designer who could be on track for higher earnings due to consistent hours. Per-diem roles in the area often command higher hourly rates, with contract designers billing in the range of $50-$95 per hour, and specialists in motion graphics or brand identity even higher—typically from $100 to $180 per hour. Additionally, earnings can vary widely across employer types, with in-house corporate teams generally providing steadier pay alongside benefits, while advertising and digital agencies might offer more dynamic but sometimes lower starting wages. Some graphic designers accept less hourly compensation for the security of health insurance, allowing others to prioritize flexibility with freelance contracts, which can range from $3,000 to over $30,000 depending on the project scope. When negotiating hourly rates, being well-informed about industry standards and having a solid portfolio can greatly enhance discussion outcomes.
More salary data for Madisonville, KY:
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 Madisonville. 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 Madisonville 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