Graphic Designer Hourly Pay in Salisbury, MD: $30.79 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a graphic designer working in Salisbury, MD runs $30.79 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $64,032 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 27-1024). Weighted against Salisbury's regional price level (BEA RPP 95.6, 4% below national), each hour of work buys what $32.20 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $38,427 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Salisbury, Maryland, the graphic designer hourly pay stands at a median of $30.79, slightly below the national average of $31.29. This rate provides a solid foundation for part-time graphic designers working three days a week or those pursuing freelance opportunities. With the hourly range extending from $22.55 for entry-level designers to $39.11 for the top earners, professionals in this field can find viable positions in various settings, from agency studios and in-house marketing departments to remote work environments. The official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data reflects these figures, illustrating the compensation landscape for graphic design professionals in Salisbury.
Graphic Designer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $22.55 | $180.43 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $24.17 | $193.32 |
| Median (P50) | $30.79 | $246.33 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $34.22 | $273.78 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $39.11 | $312.89 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Salisbury
Based on $30.79/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $30.79/hr, a graphic designer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Salisbury, MD can expect to earn approximately $64,045 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $36,949. With a cost-of-living index of 95.62 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Salisbury.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Salisbury
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,231.64 | $5,337 | $64,045 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $738.98 | $3,202 | $38,427 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $492.66 | $2,135 | $25,618 |
Compare Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Graphic Designer (Salisbury) | $30.79 |
| 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 Salisbury, MD earn a median of $64,032 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.60% lower than the national median of $65,075 and 10.00% below the Maryland state average of $71,146.
Graphic Designer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $30.79/hr = $38,427/year (purchasing power: $40,189).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $64,045/year (purchasing power: $66,981).
CoL index: 95.617 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$17.93/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$29.79/hr
2026 Current Est.
$30.79/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+77.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Graphic Designers in Salisbury (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.36% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $17.93/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $21.38/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $22.66/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $23.89/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $22.44/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $28.44/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $29.79/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $30.79/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $31.83/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for graphic designers in Salisbury grew 66.1% from $17.93/hr (2019) to $29.79/hr (2025). At a 3.36% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $31.83/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 Salisbury 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 Salisbury
Focusing on part-time earnings, a designer working a typical 24-hour week can expect to take home approximately $38,227 annually, which is lower than their full-time counterparts. Per-diem or contract positions offer a different financial reality, with rates ranging from $50 to $95 per hour, especially for specialized roles such as motion graphics specialists or brand designers, who can command significantly more. In Salisbury, hourly rates fluctuate based on employer types—corporate marketing teams may provide steadier pay but potentially limit creative scope, while advertising and design agencies often tempt with varied projects and higher ceilings of creativity. Additionally, designers may opt for lower hourly rates in exchange for benefits like health insurance, weighing the stability of in-house roles against freelance opportunities that might provide higher pay sans benefits. Those negotiating hourly pay should consider the competitive landscape and their skills, especially in specialties like Adobe Creative Suite, to assert their value effectively.
More salary data for Salisbury, MD:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Related Pages
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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 Salisbury. 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