Graphic Designer Salary in Urbana, IL: $61,996 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time graphic designer in Urbana, IL earns a median $61,996/year (≈ $29.81/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 27-1024). Once you factor in Urbana's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $63,848 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.3% above the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, graphic designers in Urbana, Illinois, can expect a median annual salary of $61,996, reflecting a competitive position in relation to the national median of $65,075. The salary range for graphic designers in Urbana spans from $42,536 at the 10th percentile to as much as $96,095 at the 90th percentile, indicative of varying levels of experience and skill, particularly in high-demand specialties such as motion graphics and brand identity. These figures are based on estimates derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional price parities, providing a contextual framework for understanding compensation in this market. Considering the relatively small pool of graphic designers in Urbana, this region may offer unique opportunities for those with specialized skills to command higher compensation.
About the Urbana Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $42,536 | $20.45 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $50,345 | $24.21 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $61,996 | $29.81 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $79,356 | $38.15 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $96,095 | $46.20 |
Median Salary Position
4.73% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Urbana
In Urbana, IL, the graphic designer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $53,559 (2026 est.). At $61,996, the local median is 4.73% below the national median of $65,075.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Urbana: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Urbana Graphic Designer Pay Compares
Urbana median: $61,996/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Urbana Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $58,322 | +6.30% more |
| National Average | $65,075 | -4.73% less |
Graphic Designers in Urbana, IL earn a median of $61,996 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.73% lower than the national median of $65,075 and 6.30% above the Illinois state average of $58,322.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Urbana 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.
Urbana, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A graphic designer earning $61,996 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $63,848 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$49,644
2025 BLS Actual
$59,981
2026 Current Est.
$61,996
2019–2027 Growth
+29.1%
Salary Trajectory for Graphic Designers in Urbana (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.36% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $49,644 | Actual |
| 2020 | $50,854 | Actual |
| 2021 | $48,311 | Actual |
| 2022 | $55,246 | Actual |
| 2023 | $56,123 | Actual |
| 2024 | $58,183 | Actual |
| 2025 | $59,981 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $61,996 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $64,079 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Urbana metropolitan area, the median graphic designer salary grew 20.8% from $49,644 (2019) to $59,981 (2025). At a 3.36% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $64,079 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,435 (29.08%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Urbana 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) | $42,536 – $50,345 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $50,345 – $61,996 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $61,996 – $79,356 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $79,356 – $96,095 |
salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual graphic designer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Graphic Designer Job Market in Urbana
While the pool of six graphic designers employed in Urbana is modest, the cost of living index at 97.1 suggests that living expenses are lower than the national average, allowing for better purchasing power for local professionals. In-house corporate marketing teams, particularly in finance and consumer packaged goods sectors, tend to provide more stable compensation compared to advertising agencies, which might offer less predictable pay but with higher potential for creative exploration and growth. Factors such as specialization, the prestige of the employing agency, and an impressive portfolio significantly influence the pay disparity observed in the graphic design field. For those looking to maximize their earnings, focusing on gaining expertise in high-demand areas like motion graphics, pursuing opportunities with top-tier agencies, or enhancing freelance work can be effective strategies in the Urbana job market.
More salary data for Urbana, IL:
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
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 $59,981 for graphic designersin the Urbana 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 Urbana 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