Graphic Designer Hourly Pay in Middletown, OH: $27.16 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a graphic designer working in Middletown, OH runs $27.16 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $56,499 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 27-1024). Weighted against Middletown's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.7, 9% below national), each hour of work buys what $29.95 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $33,899 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Middletown, Ohio, graphic designers earn a median hourly rate of $27.16, which is significantly lower than the national median of $31.29. This discrepancy means that many graphic designers in the area may find themselves making less, especially those working part-time or on a per-diem basis. For a graphic designer working three days a week, translating this hourly rate into actual earnings can be crucial when budgeting for living expenses. The hourly pay spectrum in Middletown ranges from $17.54 for entry-level positions to $42.10 for more experienced designers who reach the higher echelons of the profession. Various environments such as agency studios, marketing departments, and freelance setups in the region also play into how graphic designers negotiate their pay, with the hourly rates derived from the projected annual salary figures.
About the Middletown Market
Salary estimated from Ohio average ($55,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Graphic Designer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $17.54 | $140.32 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $21.24 | $169.92 |
| Median (P50) | $27.16 | $217.30 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $34.77 | $278.16 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $42.10 | $336.79 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Middletown
Based on $27.16/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $27.16/hr, a graphic designer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Middletown, OH can expect to earn approximately $56,499 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $32,596. With a cost-of-living index of 90.70 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Middletown.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Middletown
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,086.52 | $4,708 | $56,499 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $651.91 | $2,825 | $33,899 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $434.61 | $1,883 | $22,600 |
Compare Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Graphic Designer (Middletown) | $27.16 |
| 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 Middletown, OH earn a median of $56,499 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.18% lower than the national median of $65,075 and 0.90% below the Ohio state average of $57,012.
Graphic Designer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $27.16/hr = $33,899/year (purchasing power: $37,375).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $56,499/year (purchasing power: $62,292).
CoL index: 90.7 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$21.75/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$26.28/hr
2026 Current Est.
$27.16/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+29.1%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Graphic Designers in Middletown (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.36% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $21.75/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $22.28/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $21.17/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $24.21/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $24.59/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $23.77/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $26.28/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $27.16/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $28.08/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for graphic designers in Middletown grew 20.8% from $21.75/hr (2019) to $26.28/hr (2025). At a 3.36% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $28.08/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 Middletown 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 Middletown
With part-time employment, a graphic designer working 24 hours a week might expect to net around $33,820 annually, which is a tangible figure compared to their full-time counterparts. The freelance market offers a wider range where per-diem graphic designer pay in Middletown could reach between $50 and $95 per hour, with even higher rates for specialized roles such as senior brand designers and motion graphics specialists. Factors like employer type heavily influence earnings; in-house roles tend to provide more stability and benefits, while agency and contract work generally offer more diverse projects but can come with variability in income. Those seeking higher hourly wages must also be willing to negotiate effectively—understanding the value they bring in terms of experience and unique skills, thereby weighing the benefits of a slightly lower hourly rate that includes health insurance against the dynamics of freelance work that may come without any benefits.
More salary data for Middletown, OH:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Related Pages
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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 Middletown. 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 Middletown 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