Graphic Designer Hourly Pay in Kentwood, MI: $28.25 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a graphic designer working in Kentwood, MI runs $28.25 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $58,755 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 27-1024). Weighted against Kentwood's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.2, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $30.31 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $35,254 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Kentwood, Michigan, the median graphic designer hourly pay is projected to be $28.25 in 2026, which falls below the national average of $31.29 per hour. For part-time workers, such as those seeking a three-day work week, this rate translates to a take-home of about $21,840 annually if logged at 24 hours per week. This hourly rate applies across various employment settings, whether in agency environments with an open studio layout, in-house marketing departments of corporations, or freelance arrangements that allow for remote collaboration via tools like Adobe Creative Suite and Figma. The range for graphic designer hourly rates in Kentwood can vary significantly, beginning at $18.16 for entry-level roles and extending up to $43.78 for top earners, reflecting the diverse stages of experience found in the field.
About the Kentwood Market
Salary estimated from Michigan average ($58,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Graphic Designer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $18.16 | $145.28 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $22.12 | $176.95 |
| Median (P50) | $28.25 | $225.99 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $36.16 | $289.24 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $43.78 | $350.27 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Kentwood
Based on $28.25/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $28.25/hr, a graphic designer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Kentwood, MI can expect to earn approximately $58,756 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $33,898. With a cost-of-living index of 93.20 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Kentwood.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Kentwood
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,129.93 | $4,896 | $58,756 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $677.96 | $2,938 | $35,254 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $451.97 | $1,959 | $23,503 |
Compare Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Graphic Designer (Kentwood) | $28.25 |
| 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 Kentwood, MI earn a median of $58,755 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.71% lower than the national median of $65,075 and 1.70% below the Michigan state average of $59,771.
Graphic Designer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $28.25/hr = $35,254/year (purchasing power: $37,826).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $58,756/year (purchasing power: $63,043).
CoL index: 93.2 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$22.62/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$27.33/hr
2026 Current Est.
$28.25/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+29.1%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Graphic Designers in Kentwood (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.36% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $22.62/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $23.17/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $22.01/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $25.17/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $25.57/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $25.27/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $27.33/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $28.25/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $29.20/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for graphic designers in Kentwood grew 20.8% from $22.62/hr (2019) to $27.33/hr (2025). At a 3.36% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $29.20/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 Kentwood 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 Kentwood
Contrasting the earning potential based on different work arrangements reveals a multifaceted opportunity space for graphic designers in Kentwood. A part-time designer working 24 hours a week could earn less annually compared to their full-time counterparts. Per-diеm graphic designers in agency settings commonly charge between $50 and $95 an hour, while established professionals in specialized areas like motion graphics may command rates higher than $100 per hour. Various employers influence hourly rates as well: in-house corporate marketing teams typically provide steadier income with benefits, while advertising and digital agencies may offer greater project diversity but lower starting pay. It’s crucial for designers, especially those starting out or shifting to freelance, to understand the trade-off between hourly wages and the potential for additional perks, such as health insurance. For those seeking to negotiate the best possible pay in this market, being well-informed about industry standards and articulating the value brought to clients can lead to more favorable outcomes.
More salary data for Kentwood, MI:
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 Kentwood. 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 Kentwood 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