Graphic Designer Hourly Pay in Albany, OR: $27.45 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a graphic designer working in Albany, OR runs $27.45 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $57,106 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 27-1024). Weighted against Albany's regional price level (BEA RPP 102.1, 2% above national), each hour of work buys what $26.89 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $34,261 per year.
Official BLS data · View source

In Albany, Oregon, graphic designers can expect to earn a median hourly rate of $27.45, which falls below the national median of $31.29. This wage reflects the opportunities available in various settings, including bustling agency environments, corporate marketing departments, or freelance home offices. For part-time designers working three days a week, or per-diem roles, this hourly rate allows for flexible scheduling while engaging with projects that may involve collaboration in programs like Adobe Creative Suite and Figma. Hourly compensation in Albany spans from $18.53 for entry-level positions to approximately $38.29 for top earners, highlighting a diverse range of experiences and project scopes within the graphic design field.
Graphic Designer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $18.53 | $148.26 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $23.08 | $184.64 |
| Median (P50) | $27.45 | $219.62 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $31.87 | $254.93 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $38.29 | $306.36 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Albany
Based on $27.45/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $27.45/hr, a graphic designer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Albany, OR can expect to earn approximately $57,101 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $32,943. With a cost-of-living index of 102.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Albany.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Albany
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,098.10 | $4,758 | $57,101 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $658.86 | $2,855 | $34,261 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $439.24 | $1,903 | $22,840 |
Compare Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Graphic Designer (Albany) | $27.45 |
| 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 Albany, OR earn a median of $57,106 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.25% lower than the national median of $65,075 and 4.70% below the Oregon state average of $59,923.
Graphic Designer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $27.45/hr = $34,261/year (purchasing power: $33,556).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $57,101/year (purchasing power: $55,927).
CoL index: 102.1 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$21.98/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$26.56/hr
2026 Current Est.
$27.45/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+29.1%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Graphic Designers in Albany (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.36% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $21.98/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $22.52/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $19.33/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $24.46/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $24.51/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $28.73/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $26.56/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $27.45/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $28.37/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for graphic designers in Albany grew 20.8% from $21.98/hr (2019) to $26.56/hr (2025). At a 3.36% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $28.37/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 Albany 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 Albany
For a graphic designer working part-time in Albany, taking home their earnings can be significantly less compared to a full-time position. A designer working 24 hours a week at the median rate might earn around $34,183 annually, rather than the more lucrative full-time income. Per-diem designers in Albany often charge anywhere between $50 to $95 per hour, depending on their specialization; for instance, senior brand designers might command $75 to $150 per hour, while motion graphics specialists can ask for $100 to $180 per hour. In-house design roles typically offer steadier pay and benefits but may come with a narrower project focus. On the other hand, agency environments tend to offer lower starting hourly rates but provide greater creative variety and growth potential. Designers navigating this market should also weigh their hourly rates against the benefits provided, as some may opt for lower pay with health benefits over higher freelancer rates that lack such perks. To maximize earnings, it is advisable for graphic designers in Albany to enter negotiations equipped with a clear understanding of local pay scales and industry standards.
More salary data for Albany, OR:
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 Albany. 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, 4-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