Graphic Designer Salary in Maine: $66,773 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Maine's 10 metropolitan areas, the average median graphic designer pay sits at $66,773/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 27-1024. Because Maine sits at BEA RPP 99.6 (0% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $67,041 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Portland ($67,650), South Portland ($67,360), Scarborough ($59,830).
In Maine, graphic designers can expect an average median salary of $66,773 in 2026, which is 2.6% higher than the national average of $65,075. The highest-paying city in Maine is Portland, where salaries can reach $69,923, while Auburn offers the lowest at $58,361, creating a significant gap of $11,562. This difference is primarily driven by the concentration of creative industries and opportunities in urban areas like Portland, compared to smaller cities. Maine does not have specific state licensing requirements for graphic designers, but understanding local market dynamics and client needs can drive demand. Growth in this field is projected at an annual rate of 3.36%, indicating a stable job market outlook as businesses continue to recognize the importance of design in branding and marketing strategies. The top five cities for graphic designer salaries in 2026 are Portland at $69,923, South Portland at $69,623, Scarborough at $61,840, Biddeford at $61,323, and Augusta at $61,119. These figures reflect varying local demand and business environments, underscoring the impact that geography has on salary and employment opportunities within the graphic design sector in Maine.
Maine Graphic Designer Salary Range
Overall salary range in Maine: $36,624 (lowest entry-level) to $107,916 (highest top earner)
Maine vs National Average
Maine graphic designers earn 2.61% more than the national median (+$1,698/year difference).
Maine Graphic Designer Salary Distribution (2026)
Graphic Designer salaries in Maine range from $41,925 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $85,349 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $66,773. The Maine median is $1,698 above the US national median of $65,075. The average hourly rate is $32.11/hr. Approximately 385 graphic designers are employed across 10 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$45,114
2025 BLS Actual
$64,602
2026 Current Est.
$66,773
2019–2027 Growth
+53.0%
Salary Trajectory for Graphic Designers in Maine (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.36% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $45,114 | Actual |
| 2020 | $45,931 | Actual |
| 2021 | $47,690 | Actual |
| 2022 | $48,210 | Actual |
| 2023 | $52,830 | Actual |
| 2024 | $56,763 | Actual |
| 2025 | $64,602 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $66,773 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $69,016 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Maine metropolitan area, the median graphic designer salary grew 43.2% from $45,114 (2019) to $64,602 (2025). At a 3.36% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $69,016 by 2027 — a total increase of $23,902 (52.98%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Maine 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Maine
Lowest Paying Cities in Maine
Best Value Cities for Graphic Designers in Maine
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Maine cities offer the most purchasing power for graphic designers.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| South Portland | $69,623 | 99.6 | $69,903 |
| Portland | $69,923 | 101.858 | $68,648 |
| Scarborough | $61,840 | 99.6 | $62,088 |
| Lewiston | $58,378 | 94.736 | $61,622 |
| Biddeford | $61,323 | 99.6 | $61,569 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Maine
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $41,925 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $66,773 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $85,349 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Maine metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 10 Cities in Maine
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Portland | $69,923 |
| 2 | South Portland | $69,623 |
| 3 | Scarborough | $61,840 |
| 4 | Biddeford | $61,323 |
| 5 | Augusta | $61,119 |
| 6 | Sanford | $60,548 |
| 7 | Brunswick | $59,978 |
| 8 | Bangor | $58,471 |
| 9 | Lewiston | $58,378 |
| 10 | Auburn | $58,361 |
More Maine Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore graphic designer hourly pay in Maine cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced graphic designers.
Explore More Graphic Designer Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do graphic designers make in Maine in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for graphic designers in Maine?
How does Maine graphic designer pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level graphic designer salary in Maine?
How many graphic designers are employed in Maine?
Which Maine city offers the best value for graphic designers?
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
Statewide 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. A 3.36% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 graphic designer compensation across Maine. State averages are employment-weighted across 10 metro areas — larger metro areas with more graphic designerscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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