Graphic Designer Hourly Pay in Raleigh, NC: $30.67 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a graphic designer working in Raleigh, NC runs $30.67 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $63,773 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 27-1024). Weighted against Raleigh's regional price level (BEA RPP 98.2, 2% below national), each hour of work buys what $31.24 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $38,272 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the graphic designer hourly pay in Raleigh, North Carolina, is projected to be $30.67, slightly below the national hourly median of $31.29. This rate provides a noteworthy income for part-time or freelance designers, especially those working in diverse environments such as agency open studios, corporate marketing departments, or remote collaborations via tools like Adobe and Figma. For those entering the field, entry-level positions may start at $19.38 per hour, while experienced professionals can earn up to $47.92 per hour. Given the BLS data, these figures highlight Raleigh’s competitive positioning in the graphic design sector, offering enough flexibility for workers who might prefer a part-time schedule, working just three days a week without compromising their earning ability significantly.
Graphic Designer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $19.38 | $155.04 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $25.04 | $200.35 |
| Median (P50) | $30.67 | $245.34 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $39.23 | $313.80 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $47.92 | $383.34 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Raleigh
Based on $30.67/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $30.67/hr, a graphic designer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Raleigh, NC can expect to earn approximately $63,787 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $36,800. With a cost-of-living index of 98.16 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Raleigh.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Raleigh
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,226.68 | $5,316 | $63,787 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $736.01 | $3,189 | $38,272 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $490.67 | $2,126 | $25,515 |
Compare Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Graphic Designer (Raleigh) | $30.67 |
| 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 Raleigh, NC earn a median of $63,773 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.00% lower than the national median of $65,075 and 12.10% above the North Carolina state average of $56,889.
Graphic Designer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $30.67/hr = $38,272/year (purchasing power: $38,991).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $63,787/year (purchasing power: $64,985).
CoL index: 98.157 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$25.14/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$29.67/hr
2026 Current Est.
$30.67/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+26.1%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Graphic Designers in Raleigh (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.36% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $25.14/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $25.65/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $23.99/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $27.43/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $29.71/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $28.80/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $29.67/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $30.67/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $31.70/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for graphic designers in Raleigh grew 18.0% from $25.14/hr (2019) to $29.67/hr (2025). At a 3.36% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $31.70/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 Raleigh 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 Raleigh
When considering hourly pay, part-time graphic designers in Raleigh, working around 24 hours per week, can expect an annual income that reflects their reduced hours. Full-time positions typically provide more stability, but per-diem graphic designers often earn more on a contract basis, sometimes billing between $50 and $95 per hour, depending on their expertise. Senior brand designers and motion graphics specialists can command rates as high as $75 to $180 per hour. In-house corporate design teams generally offer steadier pay and benefits, while advertising agencies may present a broader array of projects but often start with a lower hourly rate. Freelancers must weigh the trade-offs of hourly earnings versus potential benefits like health insurance. Understanding the nuances of these salary structures and honing negotiation skills will aid designers seeking to optimize their hourly compensation in Raleigh’s evolving creative economy.
More salary data for Raleigh, NC:
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 Raleigh. 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