Graphic Designer Salary in Augusta, GA: $54,657 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time graphic designer in Augusta, GA earns a median $54,657/year (≈ $26.27/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 27-1024). Once you factor in Augusta's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.9), that paycheck buys what $59,472 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.8% above the Georgia state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Augusta, Georgia, graphic designers are projected to earn a median annual salary of $54,657 in 2026, which falls significantly below the national average of $65,075. Salaries can vary widely, with a range that spans from $37,478 at the 10th percentile to $86,120 at the 90th percentile. This data, drawn from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys and projected for 2026, reflects a market where freelancers and contract workers face a competitive landscape, often opting for project rates that align with their expertise. Given the city's characteristics and its diverse job offerings, Augusta presents an interesting environment for graphic designers to navigate their careers and potential earnings effectively.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $37,478 | $18.02 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $38,098 | $18.32 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $54,657 | $26.27 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $64,145 | $30.84 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $86,120 | $41.41 |
Median Salary Position
16.01% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Augusta
In Augusta, GA, the graphic designer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $48,642 (2026 est.). At $54,657, the local median is 16.01% below the national median of $65,075.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Augusta: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Augusta Graphic Designer Pay Compares
Augusta median: $54,657/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Augusta Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Georgia Average | $53,690 | +1.80% more |
| National Average | $65,075 | -16.01% less |
Graphic Designers in Augusta, GA earn a median of $54,657 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.01% lower than the national median of $65,075 and 1.80% above the Georgia state average of $53,690.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Augusta has a cost of living 8.10% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Augusta, GA has a cost-of-living index of 91.903 (below the national average of 100). A graphic designer earning $54,657 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $59,472 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.81% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$39,830
2025 BLS Actual
$52,880
2026 Current Est.
$54,657
2019–2027 Growth
+41.8%
Salary Trajectory for Graphic Designers in Augusta (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.36% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $39,830 | Actual |
| 2020 | $43,330 | Actual |
| 2021 | $47,760 | Actual |
| 2022 | $48,800 | Actual |
| 2023 | $50,670 | Actual |
| 2024 | $50,350 | Actual |
| 2025 | $52,880 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $54,657 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $56,493 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Augusta metropolitan area, the median graphic designer salary grew 32.8% from $39,830 (2019) to $52,880 (2025). At a 3.36% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $56,493 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,663 (41.84%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Augusta 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $37,478 – $38,098 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $38,098 – $54,657 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $54,657 – $64,145 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $64,145 – $86,120 |
salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual graphic designer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Graphic Designer Job Market in Augusta
Looking into the regional job market, there are about 190 graphic designers currently employed in Augusta, revealing a steady demand for design expertise despite the lower-than-average salaries. The cost of living index in Augusta stands at 91.903, indicating that the overall expenses for residents are lower than the national average, which can improve the local purchasing power related to designer salaries. Opportunities exist within prominent sectors such as in-house corporate marketing teams and advertising agencies, with the highest-paying employers likely found in finance and consumer packaged goods. The discrepancy between lower and higher salary brackets is influenced by factors like specialty areas (motion graphics or brand identity typically command higher fees), the tier of the agency, and experience level. To maximize earnings, local graphic designers might focus on building a strong portfolio, establishing a freelance client base with premium projects, or seeking roles within higher-paying sectors, all while continually adapting to the evolving demands of the design industry.
More salary data for Augusta, GA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do graphic designers make in Augusta, GA in 2026?
Is Augusta, GA a good place to work as a graphic designer?
Can graphic designers make $100K in Augusta?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted graphic designer salary in Augusta?
How much does a graphic designer make per hour in Augusta?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Georgia
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
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. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $52,880 for graphic designersin the Augusta metropolitan area. A 3.36% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
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