Graphic Designer Hourly Pay in Ponca City, OK: $25.84 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a graphic designer working in Ponca City, OK runs $25.84 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $53,747 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 27-1024). Weighted against Ponca City's regional price level (BEA RPP 88.9, 11% below national), each hour of work buys what $29.07 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $32,248 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Ponca City, OK, graphic designers earn a median hourly pay of $25.84, which is notably lower than the national median of $31.29. This means that for professionals working part-time—say three days a week—the earnings can add up to approximately $19,000 annually, significantly less than a full-time counterpart. Given the hourly rate, entry-level designers can expect to start at around $17.94 per hour, while highly experienced professionals might command rates as high as $40.05. Common work environments include agency creative floors, in-house marketing departments, and freelance setups, where collaboration often takes place using industry-standard software like Adobe CC and Figma. Overall, the local market presents a diverse range of opportunities for graphic designers, although the hourly rates suggest a lower overall earning potential compared to national figures.
About the Ponca City Market
Salary estimated from Oklahoma average ($48,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Graphic Designer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $17.94 | $143.55 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $21.06 | $168.52 |
| Median (P50) | $25.84 | $206.72 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $32.72 | $261.79 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $40.05 | $320.42 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Ponca City
Based on $25.84/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $25.84/hr, a graphic designer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Ponca City, OK can expect to earn approximately $53,747 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $31,008. With a cost-of-living index of 88.90 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Ponca City.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Ponca City
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,033.60 | $4,479 | $53,747 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $620.16 | $2,687 | $32,248 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $413.44 | $1,792 | $21,499 |
Compare Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Graphic Designer (Ponca City) | $25.84 |
| 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 Ponca City, OK earn a median of $53,747 per year (2026 est.), which is 17.41% lower than the national median of $65,075 and 7.10% below the Oklahoma state average of $57,855.
Graphic Designer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $25.84/hr = $32,248/year (purchasing power: $36,275).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $53,747/year (purchasing power: $60,458).
CoL index: 88.9 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$20.69/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$25.00/hr
2026 Current Est.
$25.84/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+29.1%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Graphic Designers in Ponca City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.36% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $20.69/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $21.20/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $20.14/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $23.03/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $23.39/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $19.06/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $25.00/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $25.84/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $26.71/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for graphic designers in Ponca City grew 20.8% from $20.69/hr (2019) to $25.00/hr (2025). At a 3.36% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $26.71/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 Ponca 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 Ponca City
When considering the dynamics of graphic designer hourly pay in Ponca City, freelancers and those on a per-diem basis often find themselves in intriguing positions. While part-time designers working 24 hours a week may reflect a modest annual income, per-diem graphic designers might charge significantly more, ranging from $50 to $95 per hour. Contracts or projects for senior brand designers and motion graphics specialists can push rates even higher, with fees reaching $75 and upwards. Employment at various company types influences pay scales significantly. While in-house positions may offer steadiness and benefits, agencies tend to present a broader scope of projects but potentially lower initial pay. Moreover, many designers face trade-offs between lower hourly compensation with benefits versus higher pay without health insurance. Successfully negotiating these rates in Ponca City involves understanding individual market demands and knowing the value placed on specialized skills within local industries.
More salary data for Ponca City, OK:
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 Ponca 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 Ponca 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