Graphic Designer Hourly Pay in Bartlett, TN: $26.19 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a graphic designer working in Bartlett, TN runs $26.19 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $54,481 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 27-1024). Weighted against Bartlett's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.8, 8% below national), each hour of work buys what $28.53 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $32,687 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Bartlett, TN, graphic designer hourly pay is projected to be $26.19 for 2026, notably lower than the national median of $31.29 per hour. This lower rate reflects the specific market conditions and cost of living in the area—Bartlett's cost of living index stands at 91.8, indicating it is below the national average. For part-time designers working three days a week, this hourly rate translates to various opportunities for flexible employment arrangements, such as working in agency settings with open studios, in-house marketing teams, or freelance gigs from home. Given the estimated hourly range for graphic designers in Bartlett—from an entry-level $16.16 to $40.60 for top earners—the breadth of possibilities tends to create a competitive environment for roles across different sectors, including packaging design firms and remote collaborations utilizing Adobe Creative Suite and Figma.
About the Bartlett Market
Salary estimated from Tennessee average ($52,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Graphic Designer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $16.16 | $129.24 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $19.99 | $159.92 |
| Median (P50) | $26.19 | $209.53 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $33.53 | $268.24 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $40.60 | $324.80 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Bartlett
Based on $26.19/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $26.19/hr, a graphic designer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Bartlett, TN can expect to earn approximately $54,478 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $31,430. With a cost-of-living index of 91.80 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Bartlett.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Bartlett
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,047.66 | $4,540 | $54,478 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $628.59 | $2,724 | $32,687 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $419.06 | $1,816 | $21,791 |
Compare Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Graphic Designer (Bartlett) | $26.19 |
| 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 Bartlett, TN earn a median of $54,481 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.28% lower than the national median of $65,075 and 0.60% above the Tennessee state average of $54,156.
Graphic Designer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $26.19/hr = $32,687/year (purchasing power: $35,607).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $54,478/year (purchasing power: $59,344).
CoL index: 91.8 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$20.97/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$25.34/hr
2026 Current Est.
$26.19/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+29.1%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Graphic Designers in Bartlett (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.36% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $20.97/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $21.48/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $20.41/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $23.34/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $23.71/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $23.08/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $25.34/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $26.19/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $27.07/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for graphic designers in Bartlett grew 20.8% from $20.97/hr (2019) to $25.34/hr (2025). At a 3.36% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $27.07/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 Bartlett 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 Bartlett
The earning potential for a part-time graphic designer in Bartlett, working 24 hours a week, equates to an annual income of approximately $32,000, which remains significantly lower than that of full-time counterparts. Freelance graphic designers, while facing a commoditized entry market, can command substantially higher rates. Per diem graphic designer pay in Bartlett could vary greatly, with agency or contract designers billing anywhere from $50 to $95 per hour, and specialized roles like motion graphics artists often earning between $100 and $180 per hour. Organizations offering in-house positions typically guarantee steadier pay and benefits, making them attractive to many designers despite potentially lower hourly rates. When negotiating hourly pay in Bartlett, professionals should weigh the trade-offs between secure full-time employment and flexible freelance opportunities, aiming to leverage their specific skills and niche specialties in fields like brand identity to gain better compensation and recognition.
More salary data for Bartlett, TN:
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 Bartlett. 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 Bartlett 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