Graphic Designer Hourly Pay in Bellevue, NE: $27.72 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a graphic designer working in Bellevue, NE runs $27.72 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $57,658 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 27-1024). Weighted against Bellevue's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.5, 8% below national), each hour of work buys what $30.30 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $34,596 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Bellevue, Nebraska, the graphic designer hourly pay stands at a median of $27.72, which is notably lower than the national hourly median of $31.29. This rate provides insight into the working environment for both part-time and freelance professionals, often collaborating in a variety of settings, including agency creative floors, in-house marketing departments, or remote working environments utilizing Adobe Creative Suite. With an hourly range reaching from $17.53 for entry-level positions to $42.97 for seasoned top earners, those in the profession can construct flexible schedules that might include a typical part-time workload of three days a week, allowing designers to tailor their income goals. The figures derived from annual salary estimates showcase potential growth and adaptability in Bellevue's evolving design field.
About the Bellevue Market
Salary estimated from Nebraska average ($54,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Graphic Designer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $17.53 | $140.24 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $21.56 | $172.49 |
| Median (P50) | $27.72 | $221.77 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $35.48 | $283.87 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $42.97 | $343.73 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Bellevue
Based on $27.72/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $27.72/hr, a graphic designer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Bellevue, NE can expect to earn approximately $57,660 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $33,265. With a cost-of-living index of 91.50 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Bellevue.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Bellevue
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,108.85 | $4,805 | $57,660 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $665.31 | $2,883 | $34,596 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $443.54 | $1,922 | $23,064 |
Compare Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Graphic Designer (Bellevue) | $27.72 |
| 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 Bellevue, NE earn a median of $57,658 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.40% lower than the national median of $65,075 and 3.20% below the Nebraska state average of $59,564.
Graphic Designer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $27.72/hr = $34,596/year (purchasing power: $37,810).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $57,660/year (purchasing power: $63,016).
CoL index: 91.5 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$22.20/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$26.82/hr
2026 Current Est.
$27.72/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+29.1%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Graphic Designers in Bellevue (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.36% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $22.20/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $22.74/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $21.60/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $24.70/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $25.09/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $23.00/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $26.82/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $27.72/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $28.65/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for graphic designers in Bellevue grew 20.8% from $22.20/hr (2019) to $26.82/hr (2025). At a 3.36% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $28.65/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 Bellevue 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 Bellevue
Part-time graphic designers working 24 hours a week can anticipate annual earnings significantly lower than their full-time counterparts, limiting their income potential yet providing flexibility. For example, per-diem or contract graphic designers in Bellevue can command higher rates, billing anywhere from $50 to $95 per hour, particularly for specialized work like brand identity or motion graphics, some projects yielding flat fees of $3,000 to $30,000 based on complexity. Hourly earnings can vary widely depending on employer types; in-house teams at firms such as banks or tech companies generally offer steadier but often lower compensation, while agencies may present a broader array of projects at different price points. Navigating negotiations effectively is vital; many designers need to weigh the trade-off between potentially lower hourly rates attached to full-time roles with benefits versus freelance opportunities, which may lack health coverage but offer substantial pay premiums to attract experienced professionals.
More salary data for Bellevue, NE:
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 Bellevue. 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 Bellevue 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