Graphic Designer Hourly Pay in Johnson City, TN: $24.20 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a graphic designer working in Johnson City, TN runs $24.20 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $50,326 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 27-1024). Weighted against Johnson City's regional price level (BEA RPP 87.9, 12% below national), each hour of work buys what $27.52 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $30,197 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, graphic designers in Johnson City, TN, can expect a median hourly rate of $24.20, significantly lower than the national median of $31.29. This disparity reflects the local job landscape, where designers often find roles in various environments such as agency creative spaces, corporate marketing teams, or freelance workspaces. The hourly pay scale ranges from $19.45 for entry-level positions to as high as $46.14 for top earners. With 50 graphic designers currently employed in the area, it's essential to consider how this translates into part-time roles: a designer working three days a week could earn a steady income, particularly in creative agencies or remote positions utilizing platforms like Adobe CC and Figma. Understanding the hourly dynamics is critical not only for full-time positions but also for freelancers who may choose to work on a project-by-project basis.
Graphic Designer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $19.45 | $155.62 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $22.39 | $179.10 |
| Median (P50) | $24.20 | $193.57 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $31.36 | $250.88 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $46.14 | $369.12 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Johnson City
Based on $24.20/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $24.20/hr, a graphic designer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Johnson City, TN can expect to earn approximately $50,329 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $29,036. With a cost-of-living index of 87.93 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Johnson City.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Johnson City
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $967.86 | $4,194 | $50,329 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $580.72 | $2,516 | $30,197 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $387.15 | $1,678 | $20,132 |
Compare Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Graphic Designer (Johnson City) | $24.20 |
| 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 Johnson City, TN earn a median of $50,326 per year (2026 est.), which is 22.66% lower than the national median of $65,075 and 7.10% below the Tennessee state average of $54,172.
Graphic Designer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $24.20/hr = $30,197/year (purchasing power: $34,343).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $50,329/year (purchasing power: $57,239).
CoL index: 87.928 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$19.73/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$23.41/hr
2026 Current Est.
$24.20/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+26.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Graphic Designers in Johnson City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.36% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $19.73/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $19.99/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $18.26/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $22.09/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $21.20/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $22.94/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $23.41/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $24.20/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $25.01/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for graphic designers in Johnson City grew 18.7% from $19.73/hr (2019) to $23.41/hr (2025). At a 3.36% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $25.01/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 Johnson City 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 Johnson City
Part-time graphic designers in Johnson City can anticipate a take-home income that reflects their hourly commitments, with 24 work hours a week translating to around $28,650 annually, compared to a full-time salary. For those looking at per-diem or contract work, hourly rates can soar, with many billing $50-$95 for standard design services, and specialists in motion graphics or brand identity commanding between $100 and $180 per hour. Compensation varies widely based on employer type, with in-house teams typically offering steadier schedules and benefits versus the more volatile agency roles that may offer higher creative opportunities but lower initial pay. Designers negotiating their rates should consider whether the security of a traditional position with health insurance outweighs the higher pay of freelance or contract work without benefits, making this an important factor in their career decisions in the Johnson City area.
More salary data for Johnson City, 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 Johnson City. 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