Graphic Designer Hourly Pay in Shelbyville, TN: $24.93 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a graphic designer working in Shelbyville, TN runs $24.93 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $51,847 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 27-1024). Weighted against Shelbyville's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.8, 8% below national), each hour of work buys what $27.16 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $31,113 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Shelbyville, Tennessee, graphic designers earn a median hourly rate of $24.93, which is notably below the national median of $31.29. This difference may influence the decisions of those considering part-time or per-diem work in this field. For instance, designers working three days a week can expect to take home around $1,500 monthly, which can be appealing for those balancing personal projects or other commitments. Freelancers and in-house employees may find their hourly pay varies drastically; while entry-level designers start at approximately $16.45, top earners can reach hourly rates of $38.64. The pay spectrum reflects the diverse environments in which designers operate, including agency studios, corporate offices, and remote collaborative settings.
About the Shelbyville 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) | $16.45 | $131.64 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $19.69 | $157.52 |
| Median (P50) | $24.93 | $199.44 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $31.51 | $252.12 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $38.64 | $309.09 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Shelbyville
Based on $24.93/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $24.93/hr, a graphic designer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Shelbyville, TN can expect to earn approximately $51,855 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $29,917. With a cost-of-living index of 91.80 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Shelbyville.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Shelbyville
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $997.22 | $4,321 | $51,855 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $598.33 | $2,593 | $31,113 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $398.89 | $1,729 | $20,742 |
Compare Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Graphic Designer (Shelbyville) | $24.93 |
| 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 Shelbyville, TN earn a median of $51,847 per year (2026 est.), which is 20.33% lower than the national median of $65,075 and 4.30% below the Tennessee state average of $54,177.
Graphic Designer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $24.93/hr = $31,113/year (purchasing power: $33,892).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $51,855/year (purchasing power: $56,487).
CoL index: 91.8 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$19.96/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$24.12/hr
2026 Current Est.
$24.93/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+29.1%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Graphic Designers in Shelbyville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.36% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $19.96/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $20.45/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $19.43/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $22.22/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $22.57/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $21.97/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $24.12/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $24.93/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $25.77/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for graphic designers in Shelbyville grew 20.8% from $19.96/hr (2019) to $24.12/hr (2025). At a 3.36% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $25.77/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 Shelbyville 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 Shelbyville
The earning potential for graphic designers in Shelbyville can vary significantly based on work arrangements and employer types. For part-time professionals, a three-day workweek translates into an annual income that might appeal to those balancing multiple responsibilities, although it remains below full-time equivalents. Per-diem roles often allow skilled designers to charge $50 to $95 per hour, especially for specialized work like motion graphics or brand identity, which can command even higher rates. Agencies and corporate marketing teams tend to offer steadier wages and benefits, while freelance roles present opportunities for higher payouts at the risk of inconsistent income. Successful negotiation in this market may hinge on articulating one's unique skills and understanding the trade-offs between steady employment with benefits versus higher hourly pay as an independent contractor.
More salary data for Shelbyville, 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 Shelbyville. 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 Shelbyville 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