Graphic Designer Hourly Pay in Virginia Beach, VA: $29.89 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a graphic designer working in Virginia Beach, VA runs $29.89 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $62,171 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 27-1024). Weighted against Virginia Beach's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.9, 2% below national), each hour of work buys what $30.52 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $37,305 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the graphic designer hourly pay in Virginia Beach is projected to reach $29.89, trailing slightly behind the national hourly median of $31.29. This figure captures the potential for part-time and per-diem graphic designers who may choose to work in various settings, such as agency creative floors, in-house marketing teams, or as freelancers in home offices and coworking spaces. With an hourly range spanning from $18.36 at the entry-level to $49.81 for top earners, graphic designers in this coastal city have opportunities for flexible schedules, allowing them to balance work across three days a week or take on project-based clients. Such diverse environments and arrangements cater to different preferences and lifestyles, making graphic design a versatile career in Virginia Beach, as indicated by the official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data projected for 2026.
Graphic Designer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $18.36 | $146.85 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $22.72 | $181.75 |
| Median (P50) | $29.89 | $239.13 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $39.31 | $314.46 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $49.81 | $398.47 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Virginia Beach
Based on $29.89/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $29.89/hr, a graphic designer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Virginia Beach, VA can expect to earn approximately $62,175 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $35,870. With a cost-of-living index of 97.94 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Virginia Beach.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Virginia Beach
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,195.67 | $5,181 | $62,175 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $717.40 | $3,109 | $37,305 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $478.27 | $2,072 | $24,870 |
Compare Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Graphic Designer (Virginia Beach) | $29.89 |
| 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 Virginia Beach, VA earn a median of $62,171 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.46% lower than the national median of $65,075.
Graphic Designer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $29.89/hr = $37,305/year (purchasing power: $38,089).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $62,175/year (purchasing power: $63,482).
CoL index: 97.941 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$24.74/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$28.92/hr
2026 Current Est.
$29.89/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+24.9%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Graphic Designers in Virginia Beach (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.36% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $24.74/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $26.48/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $23.59/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $25.91/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $26.93/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $29.22/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $28.92/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $29.89/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $30.90/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for graphic designers in Virginia Beach grew 16.9% from $24.74/hr (2019) to $28.92/hr (2025). At a 3.36% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $30.90/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 Virginia 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 Virginia Beach
Evaluating part-time compensation reveals that a graphic designer working three days a week, or 24 hours, could expect to take home about $37,000 annually, compared to a full-time position significantly increasing earnings. Per diem and contract graphic designers command hourly rates that can range from $50 to $95, while specialist roles, like senior brand designers, may charge $75 to $150 per hour. This disparity highlights the lucrative potential of freelance work and the varying rates depending on the type of employer. Corporate marketing teams might offer steadier pay and benefits, while agencies present a broader scope of projects with possibly lower starting salaries. Designers often have to weigh the trade-off between receiving health benefits and higher pay without such perks. When negotiating their graphic designer hourly rate in Virginia Beach, design professionals should consider their unique skill sets and the specialty market, especially in areas like motion graphics or brand identity that tend to attract premium rates.
More salary data for Virginia Beach, VA:
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 Virginia 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