Graphic Designer Salary in Des Moines, IA: $58,419 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time graphic designer in Des Moines, IA earns a median $58,419/year (≈ $28.08/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 27-1024). Once you factor in Des Moines's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.7), that paycheck buys what $63,706 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 9.2% above the Iowa state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Des Moines, graphic designers can expect a median annual salary of $58,419 in 2026, reflecting the unique dynamics of both agency and in-house roles in the market. The salary range spans from $38,832 at the 10th percentile up to $82,316 at the 90th percentile, indicating that specialized skills or agency experience can significantly elevate earnings. This data, derived from the latest official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys, reveals how local designers navigate between steady in-house positions—often associated with corporate marketing teams—and the potentially lucrative but fluctuating landscape of agency work. With a growing demand for design talent in Des Moines, the job market is set to provide numerous opportunities for emerging professionals seeking to make their mark.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38,832 | $18.67 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $47,938 | $23.05 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $58,419 | $28.08 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $70,430 | $33.86 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $82,316 | $39.58 |
Median Salary Position
10.23% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Des Moines
In Des Moines, IA, the graphic designer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $43,484 (2026 est.). At $58,419, the local median is 10.23% below the national median of $65,075.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Des Moines: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Des Moines Graphic Designer Pay Compares
Des Moines median: $58,419/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Des Moines Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $53,497 | +9.20% more |
| National Average | $65,075 | -10.23% less |
Graphic Designers in Des Moines, IA earn a median of $58,419 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.23% lower than the national median of $65,075 and 9.20% above the Iowa state average of $53,497.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Des Moines has a cost of living 8.30% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Des Moines, IA has a cost-of-living index of 91.701 (below the national average of 100). A graphic designer earning $58,419 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $63,706 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.05% 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
$49,580
2025 BLS Actual
$56,520
2026 Current Est.
$58,419
2019–2027 Growth
+21.8%
Salary Trajectory for Graphic Designers in Des Moines (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.36% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $49,580 | Actual |
| 2020 | $52,090 | Actual |
| 2021 | $47,780 | Actual |
| 2022 | $49,330 | Actual |
| 2023 | $45,740 | Actual |
| 2024 | $51,100 | Actual |
| 2025 | $56,520 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $58,419 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $60,382 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Des Moines metropolitan area, the median graphic designer salary grew 14.0% from $49,580 (2019) to $56,520 (2025). At a 3.36% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $60,382 by 2027 — a total increase of $10,802 (21.79%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Des Moines 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) | $38,832 – $47,938 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $47,938 – $58,419 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $58,419 – $70,430 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $70,430 – $82,316 |
salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual graphic designer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Graphic Designer Job Market in Des Moines
Analysis of the local job market reveals that approximately 740 graphic designers are currently employed in Des Moines, IA, a number that reflects robust community engagement with design across various industries. The cost-of-living index in the area stands at 91.701, which is below the national average, suggesting that designers' salaries may stretch further in terms of purchasing power compared to more expensive metropolitan areas. Employers that typically offer higher salaries include corporate marketing departments in sectors like finance and consumer packaged goods, while advertising and branding agencies may provide competitive compensation aligned with project complexity and the designer's portfolio strength. Variations in pay arise from several factors, including specialty skills in motion graphics or brand identity, the prestige of agency affiliations, and freelance project rates. For designers looking to maximize their pay in Des Moines, building a strong portfolio that emphasizes in-demand skills and seeking opportunities for higher-tier positions within well-regarded agencies may prove fruitful.
More salary data for Des Moines, IA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do graphic designers make in Des Moines, IA in 2026?
Is Des Moines, IA a good place to work as a graphic designer?
Can graphic designers make $100K in Des Moines?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted graphic designer salary in Des Moines?
How much does a graphic designer make per hour in Des Moines?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
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 $56,520 for graphic designersin the Des Moines 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