Graphic Designer Hourly Pay in Milwaukie, OR: $26.47 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a graphic designer working in Milwaukie, OR runs $26.47 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $55,068 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 27-1024). Weighted against Milwaukie's regional price level (BEA RPP 102.6, 3% above national), each hour of work buys what $25.80 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $33,035 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Milwaukie, Oregon, graphic designers earn a median hourly pay of $26.47. This rate is significantly lower than the national median hourly rate of $31.29, indicating that graphic designers in Milwaukie may find fewer financial advantages compared to their counterparts elsewhere in the country. This median translates to various work schedules, whether part-time in dynamic agency environments or as per-diem workers in corporate design departments. For those working three days a week, this hourly rate equates to an accessible income, providing opportunities to work in diverse settings like in-house marketing teams, freelance ventures from home or co-working spaces, and collaboration-heavy remote roles utilizing Adobe Creative Suite and Figma. Entry-level designers here typically start around $17.87 per hour, while seasoned graphic design professionals can earn up to $41.03 per hour.
About the Milwaukie 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) | $17.87 | $142.97 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $21.23 | $169.84 |
| Median (P50) | $26.47 | $211.76 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $33.77 | $270.14 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $41.03 | $328.27 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Milwaukie
Based on $26.47/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $26.47/hr, a graphic designer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Milwaukie, OR can expect to earn approximately $55,059 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $31,765. With a cost-of-living index of 102.60 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Milwaukie.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Milwaukie
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,058.82 | $4,588 | $55,059 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $635.29 | $2,753 | $33,035 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $423.53 | $1,835 | $22,023 |
Compare Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Graphic Designer (Milwaukie) | $26.47 |
| 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 Milwaukie, OR earn a median of $55,068 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.38% lower than the national median of $65,075 and 8.10% below the Oregon state average of $59,922.
Graphic Designer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $26.47/hr = $33,035/year (purchasing power: $32,198).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $55,059/year (purchasing power: $53,663).
CoL index: 102.6 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$21.20/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$25.61/hr
2026 Current Est.
$26.47/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+29.1%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Graphic Designers in Milwaukie (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.36% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $21.20/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $21.71/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $20.63/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $23.59/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $23.96/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $28.11/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $25.61/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $26.47/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $27.36/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for graphic designers in Milwaukie grew 20.8% from $21.20/hr (2019) to $25.61/hr (2025). At a 3.36% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $27.36/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 Milwaukie 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 Milwaukie
Looking deeper into the earning potential of graphic designers in Milwaukie reveals a nuanced reality. A part-time designer, working 24 hours a week, would take home approximately $33,000 annually, which is considerably less than a full-time designer earning a steady income. Freelancers and per-diem graphic designers can charge substantially higher, with rates often between $50 and $95 per hour, especially for specialized roles such as brand identity or motion graphics. Within Milwaukie, hourly rates vary based on employer type; for instance, those in advertising agencies may find themselves earning different amounts than those working for in-house corporate teams. While some graphic designers opt for positions that provide consistent benefits—such as health insurance—others may choose higher hourly pay that lacks these perks, indicating a trade-off between stability and earning potential. Negotiation skills are vital in this competitive market, where understanding industry standards can strengthen one's case for higher pay, especially for those leveraging Adobe CC expertise in their negotiations.
More salary data for Milwaukie, 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 Milwaukie. 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 Milwaukie 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