Graphic Designer Salary in Youngstown, OH: $48,755 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time graphic designer in Youngstown, OH earns a median $48,755/year (≈ $23.44/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 27-1024). Once you factor in Youngstown's price level (13% below national, BEA RPP 87.4), that paycheck buys what $55,788 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 14.5% below the Ohio state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Youngstown, Ohio, the 2026 median graphic designer salary is projected at $48,755, significantly below the national average of $65,075. The salary range shows considerable variability, with entry-level designers earning around $36,848 while experienced professionals can make up to $80,176, according to data sourced from the 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, projected for 2026. The choice between working in an agency or an in-house corporate environment often influences this pay scale. Designers in agencies may initially earn less but typically have access to varied projects and a broader creative scope, while in-house positions offer steadier pay and benefits, albeit with more focused responsibilities. This balance between job structure and salary dynamics is crucial for anyone considering a career path in graphic design within Youngstown's market.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $36,848 | $17.72 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $41,158 | $19.79 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $48,755 | $23.44 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $61,572 | $29.60 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $80,176 | $38.55 |
Median Salary Position
25.08% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Youngstown
In Youngstown, OH, the graphic designer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $43,328 (2026 est.). At $48,755, the local median is 25.08% below the national median of $65,075.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Youngstown: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Youngstown Graphic Designer Pay Compares
Youngstown median: $48,755/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Youngstown Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Ohio Average | $57,023 | -14.50% less |
| National Average | $65,075 | -25.08% less |
Graphic Designers in Youngstown, OH earn a median of $48,755 per year (2026 est.), which is 25.08% lower than the national median of $65,075 and 14.50% below the Ohio state average of $57,023.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Youngstown has a cost of living 12.61% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Youngstown, OH has a cost-of-living index of 87.394 (below the national average of 100). A graphic designer earning $48,755 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $55,788 in an average-cost city — an effective 14.43% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$36,630
2025 BLS Actual
$47,170
2026 Current Est.
$48,755
2019–2027 Growth
+37.6%
Salary Trajectory for Graphic Designers in Youngstown (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.36% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $36,630 | Actual |
| 2020 | $38,940 | Actual |
| 2021 | $46,140 | Actual |
| 2022 | $45,080 | Actual |
| 2023 | $45,860 | Actual |
| 2024 | $46,450 | Actual |
| 2025 | $47,170 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $48,755 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $50,393 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Youngstown metropolitan area, the median graphic designer salary grew 28.8% from $36,630 (2019) to $47,170 (2025). At a 3.36% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $50,393 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,763 (37.57%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Youngstown 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) | $36,848 – $41,158 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $41,158 – $48,755 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $48,755 – $61,572 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $61,572 – $80,176 |
salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual graphic designer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Graphic Designer Job Market in Youngstown
With approximately 130 graphic designers employed in the area, Youngstown's local job market remains relatively stable. The cost-of-living index sits at 87.394, indicating that while salaries may lag behind national figures, the purchasing power and overall lifestyle can still be manageable for design professionals. Employers offering the highest compensation include well-established corporate marketing departments within sectors like finance and consumer packaged goods, where the need for specialized design services—particularly in brand identity—commands premium pay. The disparity in salaries can be attributed to factors such as skill specialization, agency reputation, and whether designers opt for freelance work, where the pay can fluctuate based on project type and client. To optimize earnings in this environment, aspiring graphic designers should focus on building a strong portfolio that highlights specialized skills, engage with local businesses, and consider opportunities where their expertise in tools like Adobe Creative Suite can meet identified market needs.
More salary data for Youngstown, OH:
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 $47,170 for graphic designersin the Youngstown 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