Graphic Designer Salary in College Park, MD: $69,432 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time graphic designer in College Park, MD earns a median $69,432/year (≈ $33.39/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 27-1024). Once you factor in College Park's price level (9% above national, BEA RPP 109.3), that paycheck buys what $63,524 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.4% below the Maryland state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, graphic designers in College Park, Maryland, can expect a median annual salary of $69,432, which reflects a premium of 6.70% over the national median of $65,075. The salary range for this profession in the area spans from $42,763 at the 10th percentile to $107,619 at the 90th percentile. These estimates are derived from BLS state-level data and adjusted for regional price parities. For graphic designers specializing in motion graphics or brand identity, this location offers particularly attractive compensation, as these niches often command higher salaries compared to more general design roles. Such insights indicate that College Park's job market is currently favorable for designers pursuing these specialties.
About the College Park Market
Salary estimated from Maryland average ($65,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $42,763 | $20.56 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $52,999 | $25.48 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $69,432 | $33.39 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $88,873 | $42.73 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $107,619 | $51.74 |
Median Salary Position
6.70% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in College Park
In College Park, MD, the graphic designer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $64,856 (2026 est.). At $69,432, the local median is 6.7% above the national median of $65,075.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in College Park: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How College Park Graphic Designer Pay Compares
College Park median: $69,432/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | College Park Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Maryland Average | $71,139 | -2.40% less |
| National Average | $65,075 | +6.70% more |
Graphic Designers in College Park, MD earn a median of $69,432 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.70% higher than the national median of $65,075 and 2.40% below the Maryland state average of $71,139.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
College Park has a cost of living 9.30% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
College Park, MD has a cost-of-living index of 109.3 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $69,432 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $63,524 — a 8.51% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$55,599
2025 BLS Actual
$67,175
2026 Current Est.
$69,432
2019–2027 Growth
+29.1%
Salary Trajectory for Graphic Designers in College Park (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.36% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $55,599 | Actual |
| 2020 | $56,954 | Actual |
| 2021 | $54,105 | Actual |
| 2022 | $61,872 | Actual |
| 2023 | $62,854 | Actual |
| 2024 | $69,352 | Actual |
| 2025 | $67,175 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $69,432 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $71,765 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the College Park metropolitan area, the median graphic designer salary grew 20.8% from $55,599 (2019) to $67,175 (2025). At a 3.36% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $71,765 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,166 (29.08%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the College Park 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) | $42,763 – $52,999 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $52,999 – $69,432 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $69,432 – $88,873 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $88,873 – $107,619 |
salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual graphic designer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Graphic Designer Job Market in College Park
The local job market shows a tight-knit community of only six graphic designers employed in College Park, suggesting a need for design talent in various sectors. With a cost of living index of 109.3, graphic designer pay in College Park, MD, faces pressure from local expenses, impacting take-home purchasing power. Employers in in-house corporate environments tend to offer better salaries than smaller design agencies, especially in sectors like consumer packaged goods and finance, where brands seek to enhance their identity. The disparity in pay generally arises from specialization—those with strong portfolios in motion graphics and brand identity can do particularly well. To maximize earnings, designers should focus on building a distinctive portfolio, target high-tier agencies, and consider contract opportunities that align with their specialties.
More salary data for College Park, MD:
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 $67,175 for graphic designersin the College Park 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 College Park 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