Graphic Designer Hourly Pay in Hattiesburg, MS: $19.17 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a graphic designer working in Hattiesburg, MS runs $19.17 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $39,876 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 27-1024). Weighted against Hattiesburg's regional price level (BEA RPP 87.6, 12% below national), each hour of work buys what $21.88 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $23,928 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Hattiesburg, Mississippi, graphic designers can expect an hourly median pay of $19.17, which is notably lower than the national hourly median of $31.29. This disparity highlights the local market's unique economic conditions and cost of living factors, which is indexed at 87.633—well below the national average of 100. For part-time graphic designers working about three days a week, this translates to earning approximately $25,000 per year, while per-diem roles can vary significantly based on the contract work available. Designers may find themselves in a variety of work environments, from dynamic agency settings with open studios to more structured in-house marketing departments, or even remote freelance homes equipped with tools like Adobe CC and Figma. In Hattiesburg, hourly earnings can range widely from $14.44 at entry-level positions to as much as $31.40 or more for experienced professionals, as indicated by the official BLS data projections.
Graphic Designer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $14.44 | $115.52 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $16.78 | $134.20 |
| Median (P50) | $19.17 | $153.39 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $23.95 | $191.59 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $31.40 | $251.21 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Hattiesburg
Based on $19.17/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $19.17/hr, a graphic designer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Hattiesburg, MS can expect to earn approximately $39,880 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $23,008. With a cost-of-living index of 87.63 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Hattiesburg.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Hattiesburg
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $766.93 | $3,323 | $39,880 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $460.16 | $1,994 | $23,928 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $306.77 | $1,329 | $15,952 |
Compare Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Graphic Designer (Hattiesburg) | $19.17 |
| 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 Hattiesburg, MS earn a median of $39,876 per year (2026 est.), which is 38.72% lower than the national median of $65,075 and 28.50% below the Mississippi state average of $55,771.
Graphic Designer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $19.17/hr = $23,928/year (purchasing power: $27,305).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $39,880/year (purchasing power: $45,508).
CoL index: 87.633 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$15.61/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$18.55/hr
2026 Current Est.
$19.17/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+27.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Graphic Designers in Hattiesburg (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.36% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $15.61/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $15.73/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $16.88/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $18.42/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $17.84/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $19.41/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $18.55/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $19.17/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $19.82/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for graphic designers in Hattiesburg grew 18.8% from $15.61/hr (2019) to $18.55/hr (2025). At a 3.36% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $19.82/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 Hattiesburg 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 Hattiesburg
Considering the earning potential in Hattiesburg, a graphic designer working part-time could hover around $24,000 annually—far less than what a full-time designer might make. Those who take on per-diem work can potentially earn significantly more, often charging anywhere between $50 to $95 per hour. More experienced designers specializing in areas such as brand identity or motion graphics can see hourly rates soar from $75 to $180, with larger projects yielding flat fees that stretch from $3,000 to over $30,000 depending on scope. Different employer types influence hourly pay, with those in corporate roles often receiving steady salaries but less variety in work, while agency designers experience broader creative challenges yet start from a lower hourly base. Freelancers must navigate a competitive market with price variances driven by experience and project parameters. Knowing how to negotiate in this local market context—talking benefits versus higher rates without—becomes crucial for designers in Hattiesburg. Understanding the trade-offs associated with hourly wages can empower graphic designers to make informed career and financial decisions.
More salary data for Hattiesburg, MS:
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 Hattiesburg. 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, 6-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