Graphic Designer Salary in Raleigh, NC: $63,773 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time graphic designer in Raleigh, NC earns a median $63,773/year (≈ $30.67/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 27-1024). Once you factor in Raleigh's price level (2% below national, BEA RPP 98.2), that paycheck buys what $64,970 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 12.1% above the North Carolina state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Graphic designers in Raleigh, NC, can expect a median annual salary of $63,773, slightly below the national median of $65,075 for 2026. With a salary range from $40,321 at the lower end to $99,670 at the higher end, the market presents opportunities across various platforms, whether in-house or through freelance gigs. Salaries in Raleigh reflect both the competitive nature of the market and the city’s growing demand for skilled designers, influenced by local industries and the range of clientele. As one evaluates freelance day rates versus project rates, understanding how each option affects overall income will be crucial for maximizing earnings in this vibrant job market.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $40,321 | $19.38 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $52,104 | $25.04 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $63,773 | $30.67 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $81,592 | $39.23 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $99,670 | $47.92 |
Median Salary Position
2% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Raleigh
In Raleigh, NC, the graphic designer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $59,349 (2026 est.). At $63,773, the local median is 2% below the national median of $65,075.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Raleigh: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Raleigh Graphic Designer Pay Compares
Raleigh median: $63,773/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Raleigh Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $56,889 | +12.10% more |
| National Average | $65,075 | -2.00% less |
Graphic Designers in Raleigh, NC earn a median of $63,773 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.00% lower than the national median of $65,075 and 12.10% above the North Carolina state average of $56,889.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Raleigh has a cost of living 1.84% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Raleigh, NC has a cost-of-living index of 98.157 (below the national average of 100). A graphic designer earning $63,773 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $64,970 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.88% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$52,300
2025 BLS Actual
$61,700
2026 Current Est.
$63,773
2019–2027 Growth
+26.0%
Salary Trajectory for Graphic Designers in Raleigh (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.36% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $52,300 | Actual |
| 2020 | $53,340 | Actual |
| 2021 | $49,900 | Actual |
| 2022 | $57,050 | Actual |
| 2023 | $61,800 | Actual |
| 2024 | $59,910 | Actual |
| 2025 | $61,700 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $63,773 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $65,916 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Raleigh metropolitan area, the median graphic designer salary grew 18.0% from $52,300 (2019) to $61,700 (2025). At a 3.36% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $65,916 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,616 (26.03%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Raleigh 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) | $40,321 – $52,104 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $52,104 – $63,773 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $63,773 – $81,592 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $81,592 – $99,670 |
salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual graphic designer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Graphic Designer Job Market in Raleigh
In the Raleigh area, the graphic design field employs approximately 1,040 professionals, giving the local market a robust base, especially within industries like corporate marketing and advertising. The cost of living index stands at 98.157, which indicates that salaries might stretch further here compared to many urban centers. Companies that tend to pay higher include in-house corporate marketing teams for sectors such as finance and consumer packaged goods (CPG), as well as creative agencies, where a title like creative director significantly boosts pay. The disparity in earnings can be attributed to various factors, including specialty areas—like motion graphics and brand identity, which often attract higher compensation. For designers seeking to enhance their pay, focusing on building a strong portfolio, networking within the industry, and possibly considering contract work with top-tier agencies can yield better financial outcomes in Raleigh, NC.
More salary data for Raleigh, NC:
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 $61,700 for graphic designersin the Raleigh 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