Graphic Designer Salary in Mason City, IA: $50,670 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time graphic designer in Mason City, IA earns a median $50,670/year (≈ $24.36/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 27-1024). Once you factor in Mason City's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.4), that paycheck buys what $56,051 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.3% below the Iowa state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, graphic designers in Mason City can expect a median annual salary of $50,670, which is significantly lower than the national median of $65,075. The salary range for local designers spans from $33,067 at the 10th percentile to $78,539 at the 90th percentile, indicating a wide variance in pay based on experience and specialty. These figures are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, accounting for regional cost adjustments, including a cost-of-living index of 90.4. In Mason City, the choice between agency work and in-house positions can influence pay considerably; agencies often offer lower starting salaries but provide broader project exposure and growth opportunities, while in-house roles tend to promise stabilizing benefits and a more defined scope of work.
About the Mason City Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($52,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $33,067 | $15.90 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $39,893 | $19.18 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $50,670 | $24.36 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $64,447 | $30.99 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $78,539 | $37.76 |
Median Salary Position
22.14% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Mason City
In Mason City, IA, the graphic designer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $45,472 (2026 est.). At $50,670, the local median is 22.14% below the national median of $65,075.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Mason City: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Mason City Graphic Designer Pay Compares
Mason City median: $50,670/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Mason City Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $53,506 | -5.30% less |
| National Average | $65,075 | -22.14% less |
Graphic Designers in Mason City, IA earn a median of $50,670 per year (2026 est.), which is 22.14% lower than the national median of $65,075 and 5.30% below the Iowa state average of $53,506.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Mason City has a cost of living 9.60% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Mason City, IA has a cost-of-living index of 90.4 (below the national average of 100). A graphic designer earning $50,670 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $56,051 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.62% 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
$40,575
2025 BLS Actual
$49,023
2026 Current Est.
$50,670
2019–2027 Growth
+29.1%
Salary Trajectory for Graphic Designers in Mason City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.36% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $40,575 | Actual |
| 2020 | $41,564 | Actual |
| 2021 | $39,485 | Actual |
| 2022 | $45,153 | Actual |
| 2023 | $45,870 | Actual |
| 2024 | $44,505 | Actual |
| 2025 | $49,023 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $50,670 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $52,373 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Mason City metropolitan area, the median graphic designer salary grew 20.8% from $40,575 (2019) to $49,023 (2025). At a 3.36% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $52,373 by 2027 — a total increase of $11,798 (29.08%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Mason City 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) | $33,067 – $39,893 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $39,893 – $50,670 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $50,670 – $64,447 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $64,447 – $78,539 |
salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual graphic designer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Graphic Designer Job Market in Mason City
Currently, there are four graphic designers employed in Mason City, indicating a niche job market for this profession. The region's cost of living reflects an affordability that can bolster take-home pay, making the expected salary levels more palatable despite their lower averages. Among potential employers, corporate marketing teams in banks or CPG companies often offer more competitive salaries compared to advertising agencies or freelance gigs. The disparities in compensation stem from various factors, such as specialty focus, with motion graphics and brand identity roles securing higher pay than general graphic design jobs. Freelance work is an option, but it often consists of lower-paying projects unless one can establish a solid reputation and a strong portfolio. To maximize earnings in Mason City, designers should consider diversifying their skill sets, focusing on in-demand specialties, and strategically networking within established local companies.
More salary data for Mason City, IA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do graphic designers make in Mason City, IA in 2026?
Is Mason City, IA a good place to work as a graphic designer?
Can graphic designers make $100K in Mason City?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted graphic designer salary in Mason City?
How much does a graphic designer make per hour in Mason City?
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 $49,023 for graphic designersin the Mason City 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 Mason City 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