Graphic Designer Salary in Galesburg, IL: $55,349 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time graphic designer in Galesburg, IL earns a median $55,349/year (≈ $26.62/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 27-1024). Once you factor in Galesburg's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $57,002 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.1% below the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Galesburg, IL, the 2026 median annual salary for graphic designers is projected to be $55,349, reflecting a significant variance from the national median of $65,075. The local market offers a salary range that spans from $36,296 at the lower end (P10) to $85,792 at the higher end (P90). These figures are derived from 2025 BLS estimates, adjusted for regional cost considerations. Given the tighter graphic design community in Galesburg, competition can influence project rates for freelance designers. While some may command higher fees for specialized work, the local job market remains modest, requiring designers to be strategic about their roles and client engagements.
About the Galesburg Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $36,296 | $17.45 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $43,706 | $21.01 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $55,349 | $26.62 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $70,847 | $34.06 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $85,792 | $41.25 |
Median Salary Position
14.95% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Galesburg
In Galesburg, IL, the graphic designer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $49,496 (2026 est.). At $55,349, the local median is 14.95% below the national median of $65,075.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Galesburg: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Galesburg Graphic Designer Pay Compares
Galesburg median: $55,349/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Galesburg Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $58,324 | -5.10% less |
| National Average | $65,075 | -14.95% less |
Graphic Designers in Galesburg, IL earn a median of $55,349 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.95% lower than the national median of $65,075 and 5.10% below the Illinois state average of $58,324.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Galesburg has a cost of living 2.90% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Galesburg, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A graphic designer earning $55,349 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $57,002 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% 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
$44,322
2025 BLS Actual
$53,550
2026 Current Est.
$55,349
2019–2027 Growth
+29.1%
Salary Trajectory for Graphic Designers in Galesburg (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.36% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $44,322 | Actual |
| 2020 | $45,402 | Actual |
| 2021 | $43,131 | Actual |
| 2022 | $49,323 | Actual |
| 2023 | $50,105 | Actual |
| 2024 | $57,109 | Actual |
| 2025 | $53,550 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $55,349 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $57,209 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Galesburg metropolitan area, the median graphic designer salary grew 20.8% from $44,322 (2019) to $53,550 (2025). At a 3.36% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $57,209 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,887 (29.08%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Galesburg 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) | $36,296 – $43,706 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $43,706 – $55,349 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $55,349 – $70,847 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $70,847 – $85,792 |
salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual graphic designer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Graphic Designer Job Market in Galesburg
Looking deeper into the graphic designer pay in Galesburg, it’s evident that the local market only employs four designers, limiting opportunities for extensive salary growth. With a cost-of-living index of 97.1, taking home a salary here stretches further compared to a higher-cost area, yet still falls below the national averages. In-house corporate positions, particularly with banks and consumer packaged goods firms, often pay the most, while agencies focusing on advertising may provide broader project scopes yet lower initial salaries. Factors such as specialty areas—like motion graphics versus general graphic design—strongly influence pay disparities. For those considering paths in Galesburg, focusing on building a strong portfolio and targeting well-paying in-house roles or seeking freelance contracts while aligning with local project rates could enhance earning potential.
More salary data for Galesburg, IL:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do graphic designers make in Galesburg, IL in 2026?
Is Galesburg, IL a good place to work as a graphic designer?
Can graphic designers make $100K in Galesburg?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted graphic designer salary in Galesburg?
How much does a graphic designer make per hour in Galesburg?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Illinois
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 $53,550 for graphic designersin the Galesburg 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
Salary data for Galesburg 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