Graphic Designer Hourly Pay in Lancaster, PA: $27.51 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a graphic designer working in Lancaster, PA runs $27.51 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $57,220 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 27-1024). Weighted against Lancaster's regional price level (BEA RPP 98.3, 2% below national), each hour of work buys what $28.00 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $34,338 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Lancaster, Pennsylvania, graphic designers earn a median hourly pay of $27.51. When compared to the national hourly median of $31.29, this figure reflects a notable difference that could influence the decisions of professionals in the field. For those pursuing part-time opportunities, such as three days a week at 24 hours total, this equates to a solid earning potential, allowing for flexible work arrangements in diverse environments like agency creative studios, in-house marketing departments, or remote freelance setups. The hourly pay ranges from $18.93 for entry-level positions to $42.26 for those at the top of their game, enabling individuals to tailor their career paths based on their skills and market demand. This data is sourced from 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, providing a comprehensive view of the graphic designer hourly pay landscape in Lancaster.
Graphic Designer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $18.93 | $151.40 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $22.99 | $183.90 |
| Median (P50) | $27.51 | $220.12 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $32.30 | $258.40 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $42.26 | $338.11 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Lancaster
Based on $27.51/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $27.51/hr, a graphic designer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Lancaster, PA can expect to earn approximately $57,230 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $33,017. With a cost-of-living index of 98.26 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Lancaster.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Lancaster
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,100.58 | $4,769 | $57,230 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $660.35 | $2,862 | $34,338 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $440.23 | $1,908 | $22,892 |
Compare Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Graphic Designer (Lancaster) | $27.51 |
| 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 Lancaster, PA earn a median of $57,220 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.07% lower than the national median of $65,075 and 0.70% above the Pennsylvania state average of $56,822.
Graphic Designer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $27.51/hr = $34,338/year (purchasing power: $34,947).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $57,230/year (purchasing power: $58,245).
CoL index: 98.257 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$21.85/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$26.62/hr
2026 Current Est.
$27.51/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+30.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Graphic Designers in Lancaster (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.36% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $21.85/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $21.44/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $23.32/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $24.02/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $22.75/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $22.54/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $26.62/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $27.51/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $28.44/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for graphic designers in Lancaster grew 21.8% from $21.85/hr (2019) to $26.62/hr (2025). At a 3.36% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $28.44/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 Lancaster 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 Lancaster
Considering part-time structures, a graphic designer working 24 hours a week at the median hourly rate would yield approximately $34,206 annually, significantly less than a full-time equivalent. Many graphic designers opt for per-diem positions or contract work, which can pay substantially more, ranging from $50 to $95 per hour for standard roles and even higher for specialists in fields like motion graphics or brand identity. In Lancaster, agency roles may see wider variations in compensation, where designers in fast-paced advertising environments typically earn more than those in established corporate settings. While in-house positions often provide steadier incomes and benefits, the freedom of freelancing can lead to higher hourly rates, albeit with less job security. When negotiating pay, designers should emphasize their portfolios and proven skills, particularly in sought-after niches, as this is crucial for enhancing their graphic designer hourly rate in PA and achieving favorable terms in both freelance and full-time opportunities.
More salary data for Lancaster, 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 Lancaster. 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, 7-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