Graphic Designer Hourly Pay in Shrewsbury, MA: $31.47 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a graphic designer working in Shrewsbury, MA runs $31.47 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $65,472 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 27-1024). Weighted against Shrewsbury's regional price level (BEA RPP 108.5, 9% above national), each hour of work buys what $29.01 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $39,278 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Shrewsbury, Massachusetts, graphic designers earn a median hourly rate of $31.47, slightly above the national median of $31.29. This hourly wage provides a fair income for those working part-time, particularly for designers putting in three days a week; they can expect to take home a solid portion of their earnings while still enjoying a flexible lifestyle. The hourly range for graphic designers varies from $21.03 for entry-level positions to $48.79 for the most experienced in the field. These figures are derived from annual salary estimates, making them indicative of what one might expect in the agency environments and marketing departments that are common in the area, along with opportunities in freelance settings or remote collaborative work using tools like Adobe and Figma.
About the Shrewsbury Market
Salary estimated from Massachusetts average ($75,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Graphic Designer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $21.03 | $168.27 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $25.15 | $201.18 |
| Median (P50) | $31.47 | $251.78 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $40.29 | $322.32 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $48.79 | $390.29 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Shrewsbury
Based on $31.47/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $31.47/hr, a graphic designer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Shrewsbury, MA can expect to earn approximately $65,464 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $37,768. With a cost-of-living index of 108.50 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Shrewsbury.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Shrewsbury
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,258.92 | $5,455 | $65,464 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $755.35 | $3,273 | $39,278 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $503.57 | $2,182 | $26,186 |
Compare Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Graphic Designer (Shrewsbury) | $31.47 |
| 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 Shrewsbury, MA earn a median of $65,472 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.61% higher than the national median of $65,075 and 4.40% below the Massachusetts state average of $68,486.
Graphic Designer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $31.47/hr = $39,278/year (purchasing power: $36,201).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $65,464/year (purchasing power: $60,336).
CoL index: 108.5 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$25.20/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$30.45/hr
2026 Current Est.
$31.47/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+29.1%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Graphic Designers in Shrewsbury (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.36% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $25.20/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $25.82/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $24.53/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $28.05/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $28.49/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $37.40/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $30.45/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $31.47/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $32.53/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for graphic designers in Shrewsbury grew 20.8% from $25.20/hr (2019) to $30.45/hr (2025). At a 3.36% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $32.53/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 Shrewsbury 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 Shrewsbury
Part-time graphic designers working 24 hours a week can earn roughly $39,480 annually, significantly less than their full-time counterparts yet still providing a viable income for various lifestyles. Freelancers operating on a per-diem basis in Shrewsbury often charge between $50 to $95 an hour, while experienced professionals in specialized areas, like motion graphics, can command rates as high as $100 to $180 per hour. In-house positions with corporate teams may offer steadier pay but often come with limited creative scope, while agency roles can provide more diversity in projects but are typically lower at entry. Designers might find themselves weighing the benefits of traditional employment, such as health insurance, against the potential for higher earnings on a contract basis. To effectively negotiate hourly rates, it’s critical for designers to present a robust portfolio, highlight their proficiency in industry-standard software like Adobe Creative Suite, and research employer expectations tailored to Shrewsbury's specific market conditions.
More salary data for Shrewsbury, MA:
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 Shrewsbury. 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 Shrewsbury 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