Graphic Designer Hourly Pay in Hazleton, PA: $26.50 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a graphic designer working in Hazleton, PA runs $26.50 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $55,132 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 27-1024). Weighted against Hazleton's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.4, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $27.21 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $33,074 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Hazleton, Pennsylvania, graphic designers can expect a median hourly pay of $26.50, which falls short of the national average hourly rate of $31.29. For those working part-time, like a graphic designer committing to three days a week, this translates to a manageable income that can support various creative environments such as agency studios, in-house marketing departments, and freelance settings. The hourly pay ranges from $16.18 for entry-level positions to $41.09 for experienced designers. Such estimates are derived from broader annual salary data, providing insight into the earning potential for both full-time and per-diem roles in local markets. Understanding this pay scale is crucial for professionals in the industry when assessing job opportunities.
About the Hazleton Market
Salary estimated from Pennsylvania average ($58,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Graphic Designer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $16.18 | $129.41 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $21.65 | $173.23 |
| Median (P50) | $26.50 | $212.01 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $33.92 | $271.38 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $41.09 | $328.68 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Hazleton
Based on $26.50/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $26.50/hr, a graphic designer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Hazleton, PA can expect to earn approximately $55,123 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $31,802. With a cost-of-living index of 97.40 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Hazleton.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Hazleton
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,060.06 | $4,594 | $55,123 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $636.04 | $2,756 | $33,074 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $424.02 | $1,837 | $22,049 |
Compare Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Graphic Designer (Hazleton) | $26.50 |
| 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 Hazleton, PA earn a median of $55,132 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.28% lower than the national median of $65,075 and 3.00% below the Pennsylvania state average of $56,837.
Graphic Designer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $26.50/hr = $33,074/year (purchasing power: $33,957).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $55,123/year (purchasing power: $56,595).
CoL index: 97.4 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$21.22/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$25.64/hr
2026 Current Est.
$26.50/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+29.1%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Graphic Designers in Hazleton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.36% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $21.22/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $21.74/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $20.65/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $23.62/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $23.99/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $26.36/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $25.64/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $26.50/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $27.39/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for graphic designers in Hazleton grew 20.8% from $21.22/hr (2019) to $25.64/hr (2025). At a 3.36% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $27.39/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 Hazleton 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 Hazleton
Freelance and part-time graphic designers in Hazleton have notable earning potential, particularly those willing to take on diverse projects on a contract basis. Those billable as per-diem graphic designers typically charge between $50-$95 an hour, with specialists in motion graphics or brand identity commanding significantly higher rates, reflecting the demand for their unique skill sets. On a part-time schedule, a designer working 24 hours a week would earn around $33,312 annually, which is lower than full-time earnings but still competitive relative to full-time roles that often include added benefits like health insurance. The disparity between in-house corporate roles and agency positions also affects hourly wages, with the former providing steadier pay but narrower scopes of work, while agencies may offer broader challenges with higher earning potential but greater uncertainty. Additional tips for negotiating hourly rates in Hazleton involve understanding the local market and being clear on the trade-offs related to pay versus benefits, especially when it comes to choosing between steady employment and the flexible nature of freelance work.
More salary data for Hazleton, PA:
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 Hazleton. 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 Hazleton 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