Graphic Designer Salary in Wichita, KS: $54,336 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time graphic designer in Wichita, KS earns a median $54,336/year (≈ $26.12/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 27-1024). Once you factor in Wichita's price level (11% below national, BEA RPP 88.9), that paycheck buys what $61,089 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 8.1% below the Kansas state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Wichita, Kansas, shows a median annual graphic designer salary of $54,336 in 2026, which is considerably lower than the national average of $65,075. The local salary range spans from $37,902 at the 10th percentile to $82,678 at the 90th percentile, indicating a broad spectrum of compensation levels based on experience and specialty. This data is derived from official BLS OEWS surveys, reflecting the city's unique job market where many designers face a choice between working in-house for corporate branding teams or at advertising agencies. Those opting for agency roles might experience a steeper growth trajectory but start at lower base salaries, while in-house positions offer steadier pay and often additional benefits.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $37,902 | $18.22 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $43,473 | $20.90 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $54,336 | $26.12 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $67,453 | $32.42 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $82,678 | $39.75 |
Median Salary Position
16.5% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Wichita
In Wichita, KS, the graphic designer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $44,776 (2026 est.). At $54,336, the local median is 16.5% below the national median of $65,075.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Wichita: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Wichita Graphic Designer Pay Compares
Wichita median: $54,336/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Wichita Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Kansas Average | $59,126 | -8.10% less |
| National Average | $65,075 | -16.50% less |
Graphic Designers in Wichita, KS earn a median of $54,336 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.50% lower than the national median of $65,075 and 8.10% below the Kansas state average of $59,126.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Wichita has a cost of living 11.05% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Wichita, KS has a cost-of-living index of 88.946 (below the national average of 100). A graphic designer earning $54,336 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $61,089 in an average-cost city — an effective 12.43% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$43,930
2025 BLS Actual
$52,570
2026 Current Est.
$54,336
2019–2027 Growth
+27.8%
Salary Trajectory for Graphic Designers in Wichita (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.36% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $43,930 | Actual |
| 2020 | $44,580 | Actual |
| 2021 | $45,550 | Actual |
| 2022 | $46,350 | Actual |
| 2023 | $46,740 | Actual |
| 2024 | $48,060 | Actual |
| 2025 | $52,570 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $54,336 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $56,162 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Wichita metropolitan area, the median graphic designer salary grew 19.7% from $43,930 (2019) to $52,570 (2025). At a 3.36% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $56,162 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,232 (27.84%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Wichita 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) | $37,902 – $43,473 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $43,473 – $54,336 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $54,336 – $67,453 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $67,453 – $82,678 |
salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual graphic designer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Graphic Designer Job Market in Wichita
Although approximately 300 graphic designers are currently employed in Wichita, the lower cost of living, with a cost-of-living index of 88.946, means that salaries can stretch farther compared to other cities. Employers in sectors like consumer packaged goods (CPG) and finance tend to pay the highest salaries, particularly in-house roles that value experience and specialized skills in motion graphics or brand identity. The disparity in compensation can derive from various factors, including the tier of the agency or corporation, portfolio strength, and specific design niches. Maximizing pay in this Wichita market often involves networking with local design communities, focusing on building an impressive portfolio, and considering roles with companies that offer advancement opportunities and comprehensive compensation packages.
More salary data for Wichita, 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 $52,570 for graphic designersin the Wichita 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