Graphic Designer Pay

Graphic Designer Salary in Brookhaven, GA: $53,661 (2026)

Quick Answer:A full-time graphic designer in Brookhaven, GA earns a median $53,661/year (โ‰ˆ $25.80/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 โ€” projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 27-1024). Once you factor in Brookhaven's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.1), that paycheck buys what $57,638 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.0% above the Georgia state average.

$53,661
Median Annual Salary
$25.80/hr
Median Hourly Rate
$32,540
Entry Level (P10)
$83,175
Top Earners (P90)

Based on BLS state-level estimates ยท View source

Graphic Designer Salary in Brookhaven, GA โ€” 2026 est., based on 2025 BLS
Brookhaven, GA graphic designer salary overview (2026 est., based on 2025 BLS)

In Brookhaven, Georgia, graphic designers can expect a median annual salary of $53,661 in 2026, reflecting the area's unique market dynamics and the growing importance of specialties such as motion graphics and brand identity. With salaries spanning from $32,540 at the lower end to $83,175 for the top earners, the local estimates reveal a competitive environment for design professionals. These figures are derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional cost of living factors, which indicates that even with lower base earnings, there are substantial opportunities for those who carve a niche in premium design areas. As the demand for skilled designers continues to rise in Brookhaven, this could lead to an evolving job landscape where specialties command higher payment.

About the Brookhaven Market

Salary estimated from Georgia average ($60,000) adjusted for local cost of living.

Salary Breakdown

PercentileAnnualHourly
Entry Level (P10)$32,540$15.65
Lower Range (P25)$40,579$19.51
Median (P50)(typical)$53,661$25.80
Upper Range (P75)$68,289$32.83
Top Earners (P90)$83,175$39.99

Median Salary Position

$32,540$83,175
City Median: $53,661
National: $65,075
P10โ€“P90 Range

17.54% below the national average

2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Brookhaven

Vertical bar chart of 10th through 90th percentile salaries for graphic designers in Brookhaven. The median salary is $53,661, compared to the national median of $65,075.$29.3K$43.8K$58.3K$72.8K$87.3K$32.5K10th Pctl$40.6K25th Pctl$53.7KMedian$68.3K75th Pctl$83.2K90th PctlUS Median$65.1K

In Brookhaven, GA, the graphic designer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $50,635 (2026 est.). At $53,661, the local median is 17.54% below the national median of $65,075.

Source: BLS OEWS projected to 2026. Percentiles reflect the distribution of graphic designer pay in the Brookhaven metro area.

Salary Calculator

8 hrs (1 day)24 hrs (3 days)40 hrs (full-time)
$1,032
per week
$4,472
per month
$53,661
per year

At 40 hours/week in Brookhaven: You'd be in the lower-middle range

How Brookhaven Graphic Designer Pay Compares

Brookhaven median: $53,661/year (2026)

Compared ToMedian SalaryBrookhaven Pays
National Average$65,075-17.54% less
Horizontal bar chart comparing graphic designer median salary in Brookhaven ($53,661) and the US national median ($65,075).Brookhaven$53,661US National$65,075-17.54%

Graphic Designers in Brookhaven, GA earn a median of $53,661 per year (2026 est.), which is 17.54% lower than the national median of $65,075.

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary

$53,661
Nominal Salary
93.1
CoL Index
$57,638
Adjusted Salary

Brookhaven has a cost of living 6.90% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.

Adjusted salary = nominal ร— (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.

The nominal salary is $53,661. After adjusting for a cost-of-living index of 93.1, the purchasing-power equivalent is $57,638, a gain of $3,977.$45.6K$52.9K$60.2K$67.5K$74.8K$53,661NominalSalary$57,638CoL Adjusted(CoL: 93.1)โ–ฒ 7.41%US Median $65.1K

Brookhaven, GA has a cost-of-living index of 93.1 (below the national average of 100). A graphic designer earning $53,661 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $57,638 in an average-cost city โ€” an effective 7.41% boost.

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2019 BLS Actual

$42,970

2025 BLS Actual

$51,917

2026 Current Est.

$53,661

2019โ€“2027 Growth

+29.1%

Salary Trajectory for Graphic Designers in Brookhaven (2019โ€“2027)

2019โ€“2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.36% projection.

BLS Actual Estimated Projected
Salary trajectory chart for graphic designers in Brookhaven. Baseline $42,970 in 2025, projected to $55,464 by 2027.$39.0K$43.9K$48.8K$53.8K$58.7K2019202020212022202320242025202620272025 BLS$43.0K$44.0K$41.8K$47.8K$48.6K$55.9K$51.9K$53.7K$55.5K
YearAnnual SalaryStatus
2019$42,970Actual
2020$44,017Actual
2021$41,816Actual
2022$47,819Actual
2023$48,577Actual
2024$55,857Actual
2025$51,917Actual
2026(current)$53,661Estimated
2027$55,464Projected

Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Brookhaven metropolitan area, the median graphic designer salary grew 20.8% from $42,970 (2019) to $51,917 (2025). At a 3.36% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $55,464 by 2027 โ€” a total increase of $12,494 (29.08%) from 2019.

Note: Historical values (2019โ€“2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Brookhaven metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026โ€“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

ExperienceEstimated Salary Range
0-2 years (New Graduate)$32,540 โ€“ $40,579
3-5 years (Mid Career)$40,579 โ€“ $53,661
5+ years (Experienced)$53,661 โ€“ $68,289
10+ years (Top Earner)$68,289 โ€“ $83,175

salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual graphic designer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.

Graphic Designer Job Market in Brookhaven

Employed graphic designers in Brookhaven number only eight, underscoring a tight job market that can influence overall compensation. The cost of living index sits at 93.1, meaning that while salaries may seem lower than the national average, the purchasing power remains relatively stable. Employers such as corporate marketing teams in the finance and consumer packaged goods sectors often yield the highest pay, while top-tier advertising agencies also offer lucrative opportunities, especially for those in leadership roles. The wage disparity in Brookhaven can be attributed to various factors, including the level of expertise in high-demand specialties and the distinction between in-house and agency roles. For designers looking to optimize their earning potential, cultivating a robust portfolio, specializing in dynamic areas of design, and understanding local employer needs are essential strategies in navigating the graphic designer pay in Brookhaven, GA.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do graphic designers make in Brookhaven, GA in 2026?

The estimated 2026 median graphic designer salary in Brookhaven is $53,661/year ($25.80/hour), based on estimated 2026 salary (projected from 2025 BLS data at 3.36% annual growth). Salaries range from $32,540 at entry level (10th percentile) to $83,175 for experienced top earners (90th percentile). This puts Brookhaven at 17.5% below the national median. Full-time graphic designers typically work 2,080 hours per year, though many positions offer part-time schedules with flexible hours across multiple practices.

Is Brookhaven, GA a good place to work as a graphic designer?

Brookhaven graphic designer salaries are 17.5% below the national average and 0.0% above the Georgia state average. The metro area employs approximately 8 graphic designers. With a cost-of-living index of 93.1, your salary stretches further here than in higher-cost metros. Job availability depends on population density, the number of practices, and retirement turnover in the area.

Can graphic designers make $100K in Brookhaven?

The median graphic designer salary in Brookhaven is $53,661, and the 90th percentile earns $83,175. Reaching $100K in this market typically requires a combination of advanced certifications, working at multiple practices, or transitioning into education or consulting roles.

What is the cost-of-living adjusted graphic designer salary in Brookhaven?

After adjusting for Brookhaven's cost-of-living index of 93.1 (where 100 equals the national average), the $53,661 nominal salary has purchasing power equivalent to $57,638 in an average-cost city. This means your dollar goes 7.4% further in Brookhaven compared to the national average, making it an attractive location for graphic designers seeking strong real wages.

How much does a graphic designer make per hour in Brookhaven?

Graphic Designers in Brookhaven earn a median hourly rate of $25.80, which translates to approximately $53,661/year for full-time work (40 hours/week, 2,080 hours/year). Hourly rates range from $15.65 for entry-level positions to $39.99 for the most experienced practitioners. Part-time and per diem graphic designers sometimes command premium hourly rates because practices need flexible scheduling coverage.

Related Pages

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JL

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.

Clinically reviewed by Amina Patel, BFAData verified by Carlos Rodriguez, MA

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 $51,917 for graphic designersin the Brookhaven 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 (P10โ€“P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.

Data Sources & Methodology

Salary data for Brookhaven is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).

View estimation methodology

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. ยท View source data at BLS.gov

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