Graphic Designer Salary in Cary, NC: $63,469 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time graphic designer in Cary, NC earns a median $63,469/year (≈ $30.51/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 27-1024). Once you factor in Cary's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.6), that paycheck buys what $67,809 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 11.5% above the North Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Graphic designers in Cary, North Carolina, can expect to earn a median annual salary of approximately $63,469 in 2026. This figure indicates a competitive pay range for local professionals, with annual earnings spread between $41,237 at the lower end (P10) and $98,377 at the top (P90). The estimates presented here are derived from 2025 BLS data combined with regional cost adjustments, reflecting Cary's market dynamics. In a city with a growing emphasis on both in-house and freelance design roles, understanding how project-based pay structures function is crucial. Many designers find that rates for projects differ significantly, often influenced by the complexity and specialty of their work.
About the Cary Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($55,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $41,237 | $19.82 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $50,190 | $24.13 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $63,469 | $30.51 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $81,241 | $39.06 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $98,377 | $47.30 |
Median Salary Position
2.47% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Cary
In Cary, NC, the graphic designer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $57,140 (2026 est.). At $63,469, the local median is 2.47% below the national median of $65,075.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Cary: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Cary Graphic Designer Pay Compares
Cary median: $63,469/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Cary Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $56,923 | +11.50% more |
| National Average | $65,075 | -2.47% less |
Graphic Designers in Cary, NC earn a median of $63,469 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.47% lower than the national median of $65,075 and 11.50% above the North Carolina state average of $56,923.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Cary has a cost of living 6.40% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Cary, NC has a cost-of-living index of 93.6 (below the national average of 100). A graphic designer earning $63,469 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $67,809 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.84% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$50,824
2025 BLS Actual
$61,406
2026 Current Est.
$63,469
2019–2027 Growth
+29.1%
Salary Trajectory for Graphic Designers in Cary (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.36% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $50,824 | Actual |
| 2020 | $52,062 | Actual |
| 2021 | $49,458 | Actual |
| 2022 | $56,559 | Actual |
| 2023 | $57,456 | Actual |
| 2024 | $51,747 | Actual |
| 2025 | $61,406 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $63,469 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $65,602 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Cary metropolitan area, the median graphic designer salary grew 20.8% from $50,824 (2019) to $61,406 (2025). At a 3.36% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $65,602 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,778 (29.08%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Cary 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) | $41,237 – $50,190 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $50,190 – $63,469 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $63,469 – $81,241 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $81,241 – $98,377 |
salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual graphic designer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Graphic Designer Job Market in Cary
Currently, there are 44 graphic designers employed in Cary, contributing to a growing local job market that offers promising opportunities. With a cost-of-living index of 93.6, professionals enjoy a favorable economic environment that can enhance their purchasing power compared to other regions. Salaries often vary according to the employer, with corporate marketing departments typically offering the most competitive pay—particularly among banks, tech firms, and consumer packaged goods companies. The disparity in earnings is often linked to factors such as skill specialization, with motion graphics and brand identity roles commanding higher compensation than general graphic design positions. For designers keen on maximizing their pay in Cary, building a strong portfolio, networking within the local industry, and targeting higher-tier agencies could yield significant rewards in terms of both salary and career advancement.
More salary data for Cary, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do graphic designers make in Cary, NC in 2026?
Is Cary, NC a good place to work as a graphic designer?
Can graphic designers make $100K in Cary?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted graphic designer salary in Cary?
How much does a graphic designer make per hour in Cary?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in North Carolina
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 $61,406 for graphic designersin the Cary 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 Cary 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