Graphic Designer Hourly Pay in Syracuse, NY: $26.04 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a graphic designer working in Syracuse, NY runs $26.04 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $54,150 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 27-1024). Weighted against Syracuse's regional price level (BEA RPP 95.7, 4% below national), each hour of work buys what $27.19 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $32,493 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Syracuse, the graphic designer hourly pay stands at $26.04, which is notably below the national median of $31.29. This compensation reflects the local market's dynamics and suggests that designers are often working within varied settings such as agency studios, in-house marketing departments, and even freelance environments. For those engaged in part-time work, for instance, a designer working three days a week can expect to earn approximately $19,657 annually, while freelancers might experience fluctuations in their income depending on the project scope and client demands. The hourly pay range for graphic designers in Syracuse stretches from $19.57 for entry-level positions to $43.92 for top earners, illustrating a significant variance based on experience, skill level, and specific employer type. These figures derive from the latest 2026 estimates based on 2025 BLS OEWS data.
Graphic Designer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $19.57 | $156.53 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $20.30 | $162.40 |
| Median (P50) | $26.04 | $208.29 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $31.96 | $255.67 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $43.92 | $351.34 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Syracuse
Based on $26.04/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $26.04/hr, a graphic designer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Syracuse, NY can expect to earn approximately $54,156 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $31,244. With a cost-of-living index of 95.74 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Syracuse.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Syracuse
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,041.46 | $4,513 | $54,156 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $624.87 | $2,708 | $32,493 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $416.58 | $1,805 | $21,662 |
Compare Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Graphic Designer (Syracuse) | $26.04 |
| 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 Syracuse, NY earn a median of $54,150 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.79% lower than the national median of $65,075 and 14.50% below the New York state average of $63,334.
Graphic Designer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $26.04/hr = $32,493/year (purchasing power: $33,939).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $54,156/year (purchasing power: $56,564).
CoL index: 95.742 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$21.78/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$25.19/hr
2026 Current Est.
$26.04/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+23.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Graphic Designers in Syracuse (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.36% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $21.78/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $23.83/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $23.62/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $25.05/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $26.34/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $25.57/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $25.19/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $26.04/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $26.91/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for graphic designers in Syracuse grew 15.7% from $21.78/hr (2019) to $25.19/hr (2025). At a 3.36% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $26.91/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 Syracuse 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 Syracuse
Examining the part-time earnings further reveals how many designers in Syracuse balance their income. A graphic designer working a 24-hour week may take home around $19,657 annually if billing hourly at the median rate. This is starkly different from full-time professionals, who typically have benefits and steadier income streams. For those seeking per-diem work or contract opportunities, the situation is more lucrative, with rates between $50-$95 per hour commonly reported for various specializations such as senior brand design and motion graphics. Different market segments have clear pay variances: in-house corporate designers often earn lower, steady rates compared to those in advertising agencies, where creative roles can push earnings higher. Because some designers prioritize benefits, negotiating hourly rates may depend on balancing immediate pay with long-term security, especially in Syracuse's cost-conscious market. Such choices reflect the complexities of compensation in an evolving design landscape, where freelancers and agency professionals frequently negotiate terms that reflect their project's intricacies.
More salary data for Syracuse, NY:
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 Syracuse. 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