Graphic Designer Hourly Pay in Garner, NC: $26.24 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a graphic designer working in Garner, NC runs $26.24 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $54,585 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 27-1024). Weighted against Garner's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.6, 6% below national), each hour of work buys what $28.04 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $32,751 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Graphic designers in Garner, North Carolina, earn a median hourly rate of $26.24, which is notably lower than the national median of $31.29. This disparity indicates that those working in part-time roles, such as a 3-day-a-week schedule, would bring home a more modest income compared to their peers elsewhere in the U.S. In typical settings like agency creative floors or in-house marketing departments, the hourly rates range significantly, offering entry-level designers around $17.57, while more seasoned professionals can command up to $40.67 per hour. This variation allows for flexible employment scenarios, whether in freelance home offices, coworking spaces, or production shop floors, with the hourly rates derived from annual salary data reflecting diverse opportunities within the region.
About the Garner Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($55,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Graphic Designer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $17.57 | $140.57 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $21.08 | $168.60 |
| Median (P50) | $26.24 | $209.94 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $33.59 | $268.74 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $40.67 | $325.38 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Garner
Based on $26.24/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $26.24/hr, a graphic designer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Garner, NC can expect to earn approximately $54,586 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $31,492. With a cost-of-living index of 93.60 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Garner.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Garner
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,049.72 | $4,549 | $54,586 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $629.83 | $2,729 | $32,751 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $419.89 | $1,820 | $21,834 |
Compare Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Graphic Designer (Garner) | $26.24 |
| 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 Garner, NC earn a median of $54,585 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.12% lower than the national median of $65,075 and 4.10% below the North Carolina state average of $56,919.
Graphic Designer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $26.24/hr = $32,751/year (purchasing power: $34,991).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $54,586/year (purchasing power: $58,318).
CoL index: 93.6 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$21.01/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$25.39/hr
2026 Current Est.
$26.24/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+29.1%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Graphic Designers in Garner (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.36% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $21.01/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $21.53/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $20.45/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $23.39/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $23.76/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $23.74/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $25.39/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $26.24/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $27.12/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for graphic designers in Garner grew 20.8% from $21.01/hr (2019) to $25.39/hr (2025). At a 3.36% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $27.12/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 Garner 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 Garner
The earning potential for part-time graphic designers in Garner can reveal a stark contrast when compared to full-time positions. On a 24-hour workweek, a designer might expect to take home around $33,022 annually, which is substantially lower than full-time earnings. For those considering per diem work or freelance options in agency settings, the pay can escalate dramatically, with typical billing rates ranging from $50 to $95 an hour. Senior-level roles such as brand designers can charge between $75 to $150, while motion graphics specialists might command even higher fees of $100 to $180 an hour. In-house corporate roles often provide steadier pay and benefits, making them appealing, whereas agency work offers broader project variety but typically at lower starting rates. Designers should also be mindful of the trade-offs between accepting a lower hourly rate for health insurance versus opting for a higher pay without benefits. Negotiating hourly pay in Garner requires an understanding of the local market, emphasizing skills in Adobe Creative Suite and tailoring pitches to potential employers in the diverse sectors present in the area.
More salary data for Garner, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for graphic designers in Garner in 2026?
How much do part-time graphic designers make in Garner?
Are graphic designers in Garner paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time graphic designer make per year in Garner?
Do graphic designers earn more per hour working part-time in Garner?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in North Carolina
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 Garner. 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 Garner 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