Graphic Designer Hourly Pay in Carson City, NV: $29.97 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a graphic designer working in Carson City, NV runs $29.97 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $62,340 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 27-1024). Weighted against Carson City's regional price level (BEA RPP 98.3, 2% below national), each hour of work buys what $30.49 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $37,408 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
With a median hourly pay of $29.97, graphic designers in Carson City, NV, earn slightly less than their counterparts nationwide, where the median hourly rate stands at $31.29. This variation may reflect both regional cost differences and potentially fewer opportunities for high-end projects in this local market. For part-time professionals working around three days a week, typically 24 hours, this translates to an annual income of approximately $37,460—an appealing option for those balancing careers with personal pursuits or freelance gigs. In the local graphic design scene, entry-level positions might yield around $19.37 per hour, while experienced designers can command up to $46.45 per hour, making the field accessible yet diverse in its earning potential across different work environments, such as agencies, corporate settings, and home offices.
About the Carson City Market
Salary estimated from Nevada average ($58,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Graphic Designer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $19.37 | $154.96 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $23.54 | $188.28 |
| Median (P50) | $29.97 | $239.80 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $38.37 | $306.94 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $46.45 | $371.60 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Carson City
Based on $29.97/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $29.97/hr, a graphic designer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Carson City, NV can expect to earn approximately $62,347 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $35,969. With a cost-of-living index of 98.30 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Carson City.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Carson City
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,198.98 | $5,196 | $62,347 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $719.39 | $3,117 | $37,408 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $479.59 | $2,078 | $24,939 |
Compare Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Graphic Designer (Carson City) | $29.97 |
| 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 Carson City, NV earn a median of $62,340 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.20% lower than the national median of $65,075 and 2.50% below the Nevada state average of $63,938.
Graphic Designer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $29.97/hr = $37,408/year (purchasing power: $38,055).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $62,347/year (purchasing power: $63,425).
CoL index: 98.3 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$24.00/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$29.00/hr
2026 Current Est.
$29.97/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+29.1%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Graphic Designers in Carson City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.36% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $24.00/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $24.59/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $23.36/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $26.71/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $27.13/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $22.30/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $29.00/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $29.97/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $30.98/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for graphic designers in Carson City grew 20.8% from $24.00/hr (2019) to $29.00/hr (2025). At a 3.36% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $30.98/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 Carson City 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 Carson City
Focusing on the earning dynamics for graphic design professionals in Carson City reveals intriguing opportunities and challenges. Part-time workers can structure their schedules for better work-life balance while drawing relatively healthy earnings—yet when a graphic designer is booked for per-diem projects, they might bill anywhere from $50 to $95 per hour, reflecting the premium on specialized skills. Senior roles in brand design and motion graphics further push rates to between $75 and $180 per hour. Notably, the type of employer influences pay rates; corporate in-house teams usually offer stable salaries with benefits, while agency settings might provide higher hourly wages but less job security. Negotiation tactics are essential for hourly workers, especially in a market where some may accept lower rates for the security of health insurance—an important consideration in the ever-competitive landscape of graphic design in Carson City.
More salary data for Carson City, NV:
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 Carson City. 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 Carson City 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