Graphic Designer Salary in Missouri: $60,030 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Missouri's 33 metropolitan areas, the average median graphic designer pay sits at $60,030/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 27-1024. Because Missouri sits at BEA RPP 89.6 (10% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $66,998 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: St. Louis ($61,000), Kansas City ($59,990), Cape Girardeau ($51,180).
In Missouri, the average median salary for graphic designers in 2026 is projected to be $60,030, which is about 7.8% lower than the national median of $65,075. The highest paying city in the state is St. Louis, with salaries averaging $63,050, while Hannibal represents the lower end of the spectrum at $47,297, resulting in a salary gap of $15,753. This difference can be attributed to local market demand, cost of living variations, and the concentration of larger businesses in urban areas like St. Louis compared to smaller markets. Presently, the total employment for graphic designers in Missouri is anticipated to be 4,712. The job market shows a growth rate of 3.36% annual CAGR, reflecting a steady demand for creative skills in various industries. While Missouri does not have stringent state licensing requirements for graphic designers, understanding local design trends and software proficiency is advantageous for securing employment. Key cities for employment opportunities include Kansas City at $62,006, Cape Girardeau at $52,900, Independence at $52,309, and St. Peters at $51,927. As companies increasingly prioritize digital presence, skilled graphic designers in Missouri are expected to find favorable job prospects in the coming years.
Missouri Graphic Designer Salary Range
Overall salary range in Missouri: $30,484 (lowest entry-level) to $100,559 (highest top earner)
Missouri vs National Average
Missouri graphic designers earn 7.75% less than the national median ($-5,045/year difference).
Missouri Graphic Designer Salary Distribution (2026)
Graphic Designer salaries in Missouri range from $40,714 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $92,131 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $60,030. The Missouri median is $5,045 below the US national median of $65,075. The average hourly rate is $28.86/hr. Approximately 4,712 graphic designers are employed across 33 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$49,738
2025 BLS Actual
$58,079
2026 Current Est.
$60,030
2019–2027 Growth
+24.7%
Salary Trajectory for Graphic Designers in Missouri (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.36% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $49,738 | Actual |
| 2020 | $50,312 | Actual |
| 2021 | $47,387 | Actual |
| 2022 | $50,024 | Actual |
| 2023 | $50,896 | Actual |
| 2024 | $54,321 | Actual |
| 2025 | $58,079 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $60,030 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $62,047 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Missouri metropolitan area, the median graphic designer salary grew 16.8% from $49,738 (2019) to $58,079 (2025). At a 3.36% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $62,047 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,309 (24.75%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Missouri 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 Missouri
Lowest Paying Cities in Missouri
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Hannibal | $47,297 |
| Raymore | $47,451 |
| Branson | $47,631 |
| Belton | $48,460 |
| Wentzville | $48,874 |
Best Value Cities for Graphic Designers in Missouri
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Missouri cities offer the most purchasing power for graphic designers.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kansas City | $62,006 | 92.543 | $67,002 |
| St. Louis | $63,050 | 95.088 | $66,307 |
| Cape Girardeau | $52,900 | 86.078 | $61,456 |
| Joplin | $51,101 | 85.718 | $59,615 |
| St. Joseph | $51,360 | 86.382 | $59,457 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Missouri
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $40,714 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $60,030 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $92,131 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Missouri metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 33 Cities in Missouri
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | St. Louis | $63,050 |
| 2 | Kansas City | $62,006 |
| 3 | Cape Girardeau | $52,900 |
| 4 | Independence | $52,309 |
| 5 | St. Peters | $51,927 |
| 6 | St. Charles | $51,830 |
| 7 | St. Joseph | $51,360 |
| 8 | O'Fallon | $51,228 |
| 9 | Columbia | $51,153 |
| 10 | Joplin | $51,101 |
| 11 | Florissant | $50,961 |
| 12 | Wildwood | $50,849 |
| 13 | Kirkwood | $50,835 |
| 14 | Lee's Summit | $50,806 |
| 15 | Chesterfield | $50,798 |
| 16 | University City | $50,532 |
| 17 | Liberty | $50,512 |
| 18 | Grandview | $50,424 |
| 19 | Maryland Heights | $50,341 |
| 20 | Jefferson City | $49,882 |
| 21 | Blue Springs | $49,771 |
| 22 | Raytown | $49,474 |
| 23 | Springfield | $49,396 |
| 24 | Webster Groves | $49,227 |
| 25 | Sedalia | $49,212 |
| 26 | Ballwin | $49,124 |
| 27 | Nixa | $49,120 |
| 28 | Gladstone | $48,989 |
| 29 | Wentzville | $48,874 |
| 30 | Belton | $48,460 |
| 31 | Branson | $47,631 |
| 32 | Raymore | $47,451 |
| 33 | Hannibal | $47,297 |
More Missouri Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore graphic designer hourly pay in Missouri cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced graphic designers.
Compare Cities in Missouri
View all comparisons →Explore More Graphic Designer Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do graphic designers make in Missouri in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for graphic designers in Missouri?
How does Missouri graphic designer pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level graphic designer salary in Missouri?
How many graphic designers are employed in Missouri?
Which Missouri 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 Missouri. State averages are employment-weighted across 33 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