Graphic Designer Salary in Arkansas: $50,128 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Arkansas's 21 metropolitan areas, the average median graphic designer pay sits at $50,128/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 27-1024. Because Arkansas sits at BEA RPP 86.9 (13% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $57,685 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Rogers ($55,717), Springdale ($55,677), Fayetteville ($54,820).
In Arkansas, the average median salary for graphic designers in 2026 is projected to be $50,128, significantly lower than the national median of $65,075, representing a gap of 23.0%. The highest-paying city for this profession is Rogers, where the salary reaches $57,589, while Van Buren offers the lowest at $38,175, highlighting a salary difference of $19,414. Factors contributing to this disparity may include local demand for design services, the concentration of businesses, and varying costs of living in these areas. While Arkansas does not have stringent licensing requirements for graphic designers, the demand in specific sectors such as advertising, marketing, and tech startups influences employment opportunities. The projected growth rate for graphic designer positions in the state is 3.36% annually, indicating a steady increase in job openings. Top-paying cities like Springdale and Fayetteville follow closely, with salaries of $57,548 and $56,662 respectively, while Little Rock and North Little Rock offer salaries of $48,186 and $47,475. With a total employment figure of 1,091 graphic designers in Arkansas, job seekers can expect a more favorable market in areas where demand is higher.
Arkansas Graphic Designer Salary Range
Overall salary range in Arkansas: $23,889 (lowest entry-level) to $108,456 (highest top earner)
Arkansas vs National Average
Arkansas graphic designers earn 22.97% less than the national median ($-14,947/year difference).
Arkansas Graphic Designer Salary Distribution (2026)
Graphic Designer salaries in Arkansas range from $35,172 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $86,319 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $50,128. The Arkansas median is $14,947 below the US national median of $65,075. The average hourly rate is $24.10/hr. Approximately 1,091 graphic designers are employed across 21 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$43,626
2025 BLS Actual
$48,498
2026 Current Est.
$50,128
2019–2027 Growth
+18.8%
Salary Trajectory for Graphic Designers in Arkansas (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.36% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $43,626 | Actual |
| 2020 | $42,690 | Actual |
| 2021 | $46,807 | Actual |
| 2022 | $46,504 | Actual |
| 2023 | $45,303 | Actual |
| 2024 | $46,953 | Actual |
| 2025 | $48,498 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $50,128 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $51,812 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Arkansas metropolitan area, the median graphic designer salary grew 11.2% from $43,626 (2019) to $48,498 (2025). At a 3.36% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $51,812 by 2027 — a total increase of $8,186 (18.76%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Arkansas 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Arkansas
Lowest Paying Cities in Arkansas
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Van Buren | $38,175 |
| Bryant | $38,862 |
| Searcy | $39,156 |
| Cabot | $39,569 |
| Russellville | $39,748 |
Best Value Cities for Graphic Designers in Arkansas
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Arkansas cities offer the most purchasing power for graphic designers.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rogers | $57,589 | 86.9 | $66,270 |
| Springdale | $57,548 | 86.9 | $66,223 |
| Fayetteville | $56,662 | 91.353 | $62,025 |
| North Little Rock | $47,475 | 86.9 | $54,632 |
| Texarkana | $47,291 | 86.9 | $54,420 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Arkansas
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $35,172 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $50,128 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $86,319 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Arkansas metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 21 Cities in Arkansas
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rogers | $57,589 |
| 2 | Springdale | $57,548 |
| 3 | Fayetteville | $56,662 |
| 4 | Little Rock | $48,186 |
| 5 | North Little Rock | $47,475 |
| 6 | Texarkana | $47,291 |
| 7 | Conway | $47,163 |
| 8 | Jonesboro | $41,127 |
| 9 | Fort Smith | $40,920 |
| 10 | Hot Springs | $40,910 |
| 11 | Jacksonville | $40,830 |
| 12 | Bentonville | $40,630 |
| 13 | Benton | $40,291 |
| 14 | Paragould | $40,176 |
| 15 | Pine Bluff | $40,144 |
| 16 | Sherwood | $39,959 |
| 17 | Russellville | $39,748 |
| 18 | Cabot | $39,569 |
| 19 | Searcy | $39,156 |
| 20 | Bryant | $38,862 |
| 21 | Van Buren | $38,175 |
More Arkansas Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore graphic designer hourly pay in Arkansas cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced graphic designers.
Explore More Graphic Designer Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do graphic designers make in Arkansas in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for graphic designers in Arkansas?
How does Arkansas graphic designer pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level graphic designer salary in Arkansas?
How many graphic designers are employed in Arkansas?
Which Arkansas city offers the best value for graphic designers?
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
Statewide salary 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 each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 graphic designer compensation across Arkansas. State averages are employment-weighted across 21 metro areas — larger metro areas with more graphic designerscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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