Graphic Designer Salary in Wilmington, NC: $56,559 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time graphic designer in Wilmington, NC earns a median $56,559/year (≈ $27.19/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 27-1024). Once you factor in Wilmington's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 96.4), that paycheck buys what $58,658 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.6% below the North Carolina state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Wilmington, North Carolina, graphic designers can expect a median annual salary of $56,559 in 2026, reflecting the competitive landscape in the creative industry within the region. The salary range for this profession spans from $41,137 at the lower percentile to $95,215 at the upper end, according to estimates based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026. The pay dynamics often depend on the choice between in-house corporate positions and agency roles, with in-house jobs generally offering more stability and benefits, while agencies can provide broader project experiences and higher earnings potential for top talent. This differentiation in structure creates a unique situation for Wilmington, where the economic viability of graphic design relies heavily on agency reputation and client portfolios.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $41,137 | $19.78 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $50,026 | $24.05 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $56,559 | $27.19 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $75,722 | $36.40 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $95,215 | $45.78 |
Median Salary Position
13.09% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Wilmington
In Wilmington, NC, the graphic designer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $54,078 (2026 est.). At $56,559, the local median is 13.09% below the national median of $65,075.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Wilmington: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Wilmington Graphic Designer Pay Compares
Wilmington median: $56,559/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Wilmington Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $56,900 | -0.60% less |
| National Average | $65,075 | -13.09% less |
Graphic Designers in Wilmington, NC earn a median of $56,559 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.09% lower than the national median of $65,075 and 0.60% below the North Carolina state average of $56,900.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Wilmington has a cost of living 3.58% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Wilmington, NC has a cost-of-living index of 96.422 (below the national average of 100). A graphic designer earning $56,559 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $58,658 in an average-cost city — an effective 3.71% 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
$42,640
2025 BLS Actual
$54,720
2026 Current Est.
$56,559
2019–2027 Growth
+37.1%
Salary Trajectory for Graphic Designers in Wilmington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.36% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $42,640 | Actual |
| 2020 | $52,150 | Actual |
| 2021 | $48,760 | Actual |
| 2022 | $50,530 | Actual |
| 2023 | $49,150 | Actual |
| 2024 | $47,360 | Actual |
| 2025 | $54,720 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $56,559 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $58,459 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Wilmington metropolitan area, the median graphic designer salary grew 28.3% from $42,640 (2019) to $54,720 (2025). At a 3.36% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $58,459 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,819 (37.10%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Wilmington 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) | $41,137 – $50,026 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $50,026 – $56,559 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $56,559 – $75,722 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $75,722 – $95,215 |
salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual graphic designer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Graphic Designer Job Market in Wilmington
As the local job market supports approximately 260 graphic designers, the relatively low cost of living in Wilmington, reflected in a CoL index of 96.422, enhances overall take-home purchasing power. Employers with the highest compensation tend to be found within in-house corporate teams in sectors such as finance, consumer packaged goods, and technology, as well as top-tier advertising agencies like Wieden+Kennedy and Droga5. Disparities in pay can be driven by factors including specialization—such as motion graphics or brand identity—levels of experience, and whether the designer operates as a freelancer or within a firm. Market-savvy designers can maximize their pay by building a strong portfolio, leveraging niche skills, and targeting opportunities with prestigious agencies that recognize and reward excellence. Ultimately, understanding Wilmington's unique positioning can help graphic designers strategically navigate their career paths and salary potential.
More salary data for Wilmington, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do graphic designers make in Wilmington, NC in 2026?
Is Wilmington, NC a good place to work as a graphic designer?
Can graphic designers make $100K in Wilmington?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted graphic designer salary in Wilmington?
How much does a graphic designer make per hour in Wilmington?
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 $54,720 for graphic designersin the Wilmington 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