Graphic Designer Hourly Pay in Lafayette, LA: $23.50 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a graphic designer working in Lafayette, LA runs $23.50 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $48,900 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 27-1024). Weighted against Lafayette's regional price level (BEA RPP 87.2, 13% below national), each hour of work buys what $26.95 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $29,333 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Lafayette, Louisiana, graphic designers earn a median hourly rate of $23.50, which is considerably lower than the national median of $31.29. This pay scale reflects the unique employment landscape in the region, where opportunities may include part-time and freelance positions across diverse settings like agency studios, corporate marketing offices, and remote collaborations. For part-time designers working three days a week, the annual income translates to approximately $29,040 based on a typical 24-hour work schedule. Meanwhile, hourly rates for entry-level positions start at around $16.41, while the top earners can reach up to $34.53, according to projected data based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026. This snapshot highlights the potential for growth in Lafayette's graphic design market but also underscores the challenges designers face in achieving competitive rates.
Graphic Designer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $16.41 | $131.31 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $18.20 | $145.61 |
| Median (P50) | $23.50 | $188.03 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $30.07 | $240.54 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $34.53 | $276.26 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Lafayette
Based on $23.50/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $23.50/hr, a graphic designer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Lafayette, LA can expect to earn approximately $48,888 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $28,205. With a cost-of-living index of 87.21 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Lafayette.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Lafayette
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $940.16 | $4,074 | $48,888 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $564.10 | $2,444 | $29,333 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $376.07 | $1,630 | $19,555 |
Compare Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Graphic Designer (Lafayette) | $23.50 |
| 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 Lafayette, LA earn a median of $48,900 per year (2026 est.), which is 24.86% lower than the national median of $65,075 and 0.10% below the Louisiana state average of $48,949.
Graphic Designer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $23.50/hr = $29,333/year (purchasing power: $33,635).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $48,888/year (purchasing power: $56,059).
CoL index: 87.209 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$18.68/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$22.74/hr
2026 Current Est.
$23.50/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+30.1%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Graphic Designers in Lafayette (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.36% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $18.68/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $18.14/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $18.20/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $19.39/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $18.72/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $20.23/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $22.74/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $23.50/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $24.29/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for graphic designers in Lafayette grew 21.7% from $18.68/hr (2019) to $22.74/hr (2025). At a 3.36% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $24.29/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 Lafayette 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 Lafayette
Part-time graphic designers in Lafayette must balance the trade-offs of lower hourly wages with the flexibility of work-life balance. For instance, a designer who works on a contract basis can often command rates between $50 to $95 per hour, particularly for specialized roles such as motion graphics or brand identity projects, where rates can soar to $100-$180 hourly. In-house positions tend to offer steadier income and benefits, which may appeal to those seeking stability over higher freelance rates that often come with variable workloads. While agency roles provide diverse project experiences, they typically start at lower hourly wages. Designers in Lafayette can strengthen their negotiating position by demonstrating proficiency with industry-standard tools like Adobe Creative Suite and showcasing a robust portfolio, as these factors are increasingly vital in a competitive market.
More salary data for Lafayette, LA:
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 Lafayette. 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