Graphic Designer Hourly Pay in Rochester, MN: $30.43 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a graphic designer working in Rochester, MN runs $30.43 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $63,298 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 27-1024). Weighted against Rochester's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.8, 9% below national), each hour of work buys what $33.50 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $37,976 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Rochester, graphic designers earn a median hourly rate of $30.43, slightly lower than the national median of $31.29. This rate offers flexibility for part-time roles, where designers working three days a week might take home around $37,000 annually, allowing them to balance multiple projects or commitments. The hourly range for graphic designers in the area extends from $22.62 at the entry-level to $45.41 for top earners, indicating room for growth depending on experience and specialization. Designers often work in dynamic environments such as creative agencies, in-house marketing teams, or from freelance setups, leveraging tools like Adobe Creative Suite in their work whether remote or in shared spaces.
Graphic Designer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $22.62 | $180.92 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $24.96 | $199.69 |
| Median (P50) | $30.43 | $243.43 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $38.41 | $307.27 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $45.41 | $363.25 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Rochester
Based on $30.43/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $30.43/hr, a graphic designer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Rochester, MN can expect to earn approximately $63,293 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $36,515. With a cost-of-living index of 90.82 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Rochester.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Rochester
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,217.17 | $5,274 | $63,293 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $730.30 | $3,165 | $37,976 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $486.87 | $2,110 | $25,317 |
Compare Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Graphic Designer (Rochester) | $30.43 |
| 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 Rochester, MN earn a median of $63,298 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.73% lower than the national median of $65,075 and 5.00% above the Minnesota state average of $60,283.
Graphic Designer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $30.43/hr = $37,976/year (purchasing power: $41,814).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $63,293/year (purchasing power: $69,690).
CoL index: 90.821 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$22.45/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$29.44/hr
2026 Current Est.
$30.43/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+40.1%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Graphic Designers in Rochester (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.36% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $22.45/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $23.32/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $27.75/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $29.36/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $27.52/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $26.17/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $29.44/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $30.43/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $31.45/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for graphic designers in Rochester grew 31.1% from $22.45/hr (2019) to $29.44/hr (2025). At a 3.36% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $31.45/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 Rochester 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 Rochester
When considering part-time opportunities, a graphic designer working 24 hours per week can earn an annual income that reflects not just the base hourly pay but also their ability to choose projects across various domains. Per-diem graphic designers frequently charge between $50 to $95 per hour and can even earn $100 to $180 per hour for motion graphics work. Different employers in Rochester, from in-house corporate teams to advertising and design agencies, offer varying pay scales that reflect their project demands and benefits availability. While some designers might opt for the steadier pay of corporate jobs that provide health insurance, others might prioritize higher hourly earnings that come with the freelance lifestyle. Tactically negotiating pay based on the type of project and employer can enable graphic designers to strategically position themselves for success in the Rochester job market.
More salary data for Rochester, MN:
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 Rochester. 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