Graphic Designer Salary in Leawood, KS: $56,922 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time graphic designer in Leawood, KS earns a median $56,922/year (≈ $27.37/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 27-1024). Once you factor in Leawood's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 90.9), that paycheck buys what $62,620 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.8% below the Kansas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, graphic designers in Leawood, Kansas, can expect a median annual pay of $56,922, which falls noticeably below the national median salary of $65,075. The local salary range for this profession spans from $38,649 at the 10th percentile to $88,230 at the 90th percentile, outlining the stark contrast in income potential based on experience, specialization, and work setting. These figures reflect projections based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, incorporating regional cost adjustments pertinent to Leawood’s economic environment. The choice between in-house roles and agency positions significantly impacts earnings, as in-house corporate settings typically offer steadier salaries but may limit creative scope compared to the potentially higher-paying agency roles that embrace a broader range of projects.
About the Leawood Market
Salary estimated from Kansas average ($52,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38,649 | $18.58 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $44,660 | $21.47 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $56,922 | $27.37 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $72,861 | $35.03 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $88,230 | $42.42 |
Median Salary Position
12.53% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Leawood
In Leawood, KS, the graphic designer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $49,581 (2026 est.). At $56,922, the local median is 12.53% below the national median of $65,075.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Leawood: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Leawood Graphic Designer Pay Compares
Leawood median: $56,922/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Leawood Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Kansas Average | $59,171 | -3.80% less |
| National Average | $65,075 | -12.53% less |
Graphic Designers in Leawood, KS earn a median of $56,922 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.53% lower than the national median of $65,075 and 3.80% below the Kansas state average of $59,171.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Leawood has a cost of living 9.10% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Leawood, KS has a cost-of-living index of 90.9 (below the national average of 100). A graphic designer earning $56,922 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $62,620 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.01% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$45,581
2025 BLS Actual
$55,072
2026 Current Est.
$56,922
2019–2027 Growth
+29.1%
Salary Trajectory for Graphic Designers in Leawood (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.36% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $45,581 | Actual |
| 2020 | $46,692 | Actual |
| 2021 | $44,357 | Actual |
| 2022 | $50,725 | Actual |
| 2023 | $51,529 | Actual |
| 2024 | $45,485 | Actual |
| 2025 | $55,072 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $56,922 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $58,835 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Leawood metropolitan area, the median graphic designer salary grew 20.8% from $45,581 (2019) to $55,072 (2025). At a 3.36% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $58,835 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,254 (29.08%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Leawood 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) | $38,649 – $44,660 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $44,660 – $56,922 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $56,922 – $72,861 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $72,861 – $88,230 |
salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual graphic designer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Graphic Designer Job Market in Leawood
The job market for graphic designers in Leawood remains relatively small, with only five professionals currently employed in the area. While the overall cost of living index is 90.9, indicating that living expenses are below the national average, this lower cost translates to a different quality of life. In Leawood, employers in corporate sectors such as financial services and consumer packaged goods tend to provide more lucrative compensation packages compared to their agency counterparts, who may offer lower starting salaries but have higher potential for advancement. Differentiators in pay often include specialization in areas like motion graphics and brand identity, as well as the level of experience and portfolio quality. Freelance designers might find themselves faced with market saturation for lower-end projects through platforms like Fiverr, while establishing a strong personal brand is key to securing higher rates in the premium segment of the freelance market. Focusing on niche skills and continuously upgrading one's portfolio can be effective strategies for maximizing earning potential in Leawood’s competitive landscape.
More salary data for Leawood, KS:
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 $55,072 for graphic designersin the Leawood 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 Leawood 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