Graphic Designer Hourly Pay in Forest Grove, OR: $28.12 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a graphic designer working in Forest Grove, OR runs $28.12 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $58,500 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 27-1024). Weighted against Forest Grove's regional price level (BEA RPP 102.6, 3% above national), each hour of work buys what $27.41 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $35,099 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Forest Grove, Oregon, graphic designers earn a median hourly rate of $28.12, which is noticeably lower than the national median of $31.29 per hour. This median wage offers a viable income for part-time professionals working three days a week, as they could expect to earn around $24,000 annually if working 24 hours each week. The hourly pay in this role ranges from $17.45 for entry-level positions to $43.60 for top earners, providing a path for growth depending on experience and specialization. Designers commonly work in various settings including agency creative spaces, in-house marketing departments, and even freelance arrangements, which can include collaboration through platforms like Adobe and Figma. This broad range of environments can influence pay scales, depending on the specific demands and expectations of the employer or client.
About the Forest Grove Market
Salary estimated from Oregon average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Graphic Designer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $17.45 | $139.58 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $21.48 | $171.83 |
| Median (P50) | $28.12 | $224.99 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $35.73 | $285.85 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $43.60 | $348.78 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Forest Grove
Based on $28.12/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $28.12/hr, a graphic designer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Forest Grove, OR can expect to earn approximately $58,498 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $33,749. With a cost-of-living index of 102.60 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Forest Grove.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Forest Grove
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,124.97 | $4,875 | $58,498 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $674.98 | $2,925 | $35,099 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $449.99 | $1,950 | $23,399 |
Compare Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Graphic Designer (Forest Grove) | $28.12 |
| 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 Forest Grove, OR earn a median of $58,500 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.10% lower than the national median of $65,075 and 2.40% below the Oregon state average of $59,938.
Graphic Designer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $28.12/hr = $35,099/year (purchasing power: $34,210).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $58,498/year (purchasing power: $57,016).
CoL index: 102.6 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$22.52/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$27.21/hr
2026 Current Est.
$28.12/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+29.1%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Graphic Designers in Forest Grove (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.36% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $22.52/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $23.07/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $21.92/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $25.06/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $25.46/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $29.86/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $27.21/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $28.12/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $29.07/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for graphic designers in Forest Grove grew 20.8% from $22.52/hr (2019) to $27.21/hr (2025). At a 3.36% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $29.07/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 Forest Grove 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 Forest Grove
Considering the part-time schedule, a graphic designer in Forest Grove could earn approximately $40,000 less annually compared to a full-time counterpart. Many per-diem graphic designers, especially those working for agencies on a contract basis, can command significantly higher rates, often between $50 to $95 per hour. Notably, senior brand designers can fetch rates from $75 to $150 per hour, while specialized roles such as motion graphics designers might charge $100 to $180 per hour. Freelance projects can greatly vary, with fees for brand identity work ranging from $3,000 to over $30,000 based on project scope. The variability of hourly rates across different types of employers reflects the benefits trade-off; some designers may opt for steadier employment with benefits at a lower wage or choose freelance work for higher pay potential without health insurance and other perks. Those looking for employment in Forest Grove should be prepared to negotiate terms, especially as they consider the value of benefits versus higher rates that come with contract work.
More salary data for Forest Grove, 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 Forest Grove. 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 Forest Grove 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