Graphic Designer Hourly Pay in Myrtle Beach, SC: $24.99 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a graphic designer working in Myrtle Beach, SC runs $24.99 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $51,980 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 27-1024). Weighted against Myrtle Beach's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.6, 6% below national), each hour of work buys what $26.69 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $31,191 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Myrtle Beach, the graphic designer hourly pay stands at a median rate of $24.99, which is notably lower than the national average of $31.29. This rate can significantly impact part-time and per-diem workers who often operate within various settings like agency creative floors, in-house marketing departments, or freelance home offices. Part-time designers working three days a week (approximately 24 hours) can expect to earn around $599.76 weekly, a rate that allows for a comfortable lifestyle in a city where the cost of living is relatively low compared to the national average. For new entrants to the field, hourly earnings start at about $17.27, while more seasoned professionals can command up to $41.43 per hour, demonstrating a broad salary range reflective of experience and project complexity.
Graphic Designer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $17.27 | $138.17 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $19.11 | $152.89 |
| Median (P50) | $24.99 | $199.94 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $30.58 | $244.67 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $41.43 | $331.41 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Myrtle Beach
Based on $24.99/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $24.99/hr, a graphic designer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Myrtle Beach, SC can expect to earn approximately $51,984 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $29,991. With a cost-of-living index of 93.64 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Myrtle Beach.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Myrtle Beach
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $999.70 | $4,332 | $51,984 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $599.82 | $2,599 | $31,191 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $399.88 | $1,733 | $20,794 |
Compare Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Graphic Designer (Myrtle Beach) | $24.99 |
| 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 Myrtle Beach, SC earn a median of $51,980 per year (2026 est.), which is 20.12% lower than the national median of $65,075 and 14.00% below the South Carolina state average of $60,442.
Graphic Designer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $24.99/hr = $31,191/year (purchasing power: $33,308).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $51,984/year (purchasing power: $55,514).
CoL index: 93.642 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$17.61/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$24.18/hr
2026 Current Est.
$24.99/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+46.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Graphic Designers in Myrtle Beach (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.36% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $17.61/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $19.42/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $22.20/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $22.30/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $21.81/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $23.75/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $24.18/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $24.99/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $25.83/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for graphic designers in Myrtle Beach grew 37.3% from $17.61/hr (2019) to $24.18/hr (2025). At a 3.36% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $25.83/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 Myrtle Beach 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 Myrtle Beach
For those contemplating a career as a graphic designer in Myrtle Beach, it's essential to consider the earning potential from various employment types. Part-time graphic designers might take home significantly less than full-time peers, close to $31,190 per year based on part-time hours. Many per-diem graphic designers can negotiate higher rates ranging from $50 to $95 per hour, particularly as contractors who provide specialized services in areas such as motion graphics or brand design. These specialists can often succeed in the freelance market, where project fees might range from $3,000 to upwards of $30,000, depending on the scope of work. It's also important to weigh benefits; while in-house roles might offer steady pay and health insurance, agency positions, though often with lower starting salaries, could lead to more diverse work experiences. When discussing rates, approaching negotiations prepared with data on local market standards and showcasing a strong portfolio can greatly enhance your leverage in this competitive field.
More salary data for Myrtle Beach, SC:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Related Pages
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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 Myrtle Beach. 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