Graphic Designer Salary in Oregon: $74,750 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Oregon's 36 metropolitan areas, the average median graphic designer pay sits at $74,750/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 27-1024. Because Oregon sits at BEA RPP 102.6 (3% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $72,856 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Hillsboro ($77,372), Portland ($75,650), Salem ($65,720).
Oregon offers a favorable landscape for graphic designers, with an average median salary of $74,750 in 2026, which is 14.9% higher than the national median of $65,075. This reflects the state's increasing demand for creative professionals, driven by its burgeoning tech sector and diverse industries. The highest paying city is Hillsboro at $79,972, while Milwaukie has the lowest at $55,068, highlighting a salary gap of $24,904. This disparity can be attributed to factors such as the cost of living, local industry concentration, and the varying scale of companies within different regions. In terms of state-specific considerations, Oregon does not have licensing requirements for graphic designers; however, understanding local design trends and regulations is beneficial. The projected annual growth rate of 3.36% suggests a stable job market, with 3,915 graphic designers employed across the state. The top cities by salary include Portland at $78,192, Salem at $67,928, Gresham at $61,309, and Eugene at $59,918. As businesses increasingly recognize the value of visual communication, the demand for skilled graphic designers is expected to remain strong in Oregon's dynamic economy.
Oregon Graphic Designer Salary Range
Overall salary range in Oregon: $35,250 (lowest entry-level) to $176,415 (highest top earner)
Oregon vs National Average
Oregon graphic designers earn 14.87% more than the national median (+$9,675/year difference).
Oregon Graphic Designer Salary Distribution (2026)
Graphic Designer salaries in Oregon range from $47,293 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $158,707 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $74,750. The Oregon median is $9,675 above the US national median of $65,075. The average hourly rate is $35.94/hr. Approximately 3,915 graphic designers are employed across 36 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$54,265
2025 BLS Actual
$72,320
2026 Current Est.
$74,750
2019–2027 Growth
+42.4%
Salary Trajectory for Graphic Designers in Oregon (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.36% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $54,265 | Actual |
| 2020 | $54,186 | Actual |
| 2021 | $54,120 | Actual |
| 2022 | $60,878 | Actual |
| 2023 | $58,380 | Actual |
| 2024 | $65,826 | Actual |
| 2025 | $72,320 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $74,750 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $77,262 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Oregon metropolitan area, the median graphic designer salary grew 33.3% from $54,265 (2019) to $72,320 (2025). At a 3.36% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $77,262 by 2027 — a total increase of $22,997 (42.38%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Oregon 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 Oregon
Lowest Paying Cities in Oregon
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Milwaukie | $55,068 |
| Klamath Falls | $55,198 |
| The Dalles | $55,532 |
| Newberg | $56,132 |
| Canby | $56,442 |
Best Value Cities for Graphic Designers in Oregon
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Oregon cities offer the most purchasing power for graphic designers.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hillsboro | $79,972 | 102.6 | $77,945 |
| Portland | $78,192 | 105.421 | $74,171 |
| Salem | $67,928 | 103.649 | $65,537 |
| Gresham | $61,309 | 102.6 | $59,755 |
| Eugene | $59,918 | 101.568 | $58,993 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Oregon
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $47,293 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $74,750 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $158,707 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Oregon metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 36 Cities in Oregon
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hillsboro | $79,972 |
| 2 | Portland | $78,192 |
| 3 | Salem | $67,928 |
| 4 | Gresham | $61,309 |
| 5 | Eugene | $59,918 |
| 6 | Bend | $59,742 |
| 7 | Corvallis | $59,573 |
| 8 | Beaverton | $59,563 |
| 9 | McMinnville | $59,401 |
| 10 | Oregon City | $59,332 |
| 11 | Springfield | $59,144 |
| 12 | Woodburn | $58,936 |
| 13 | Lake Oswego | $58,653 |
| 14 | Medford | $58,529 |
| 15 | Forest Grove | $58,500 |
| 16 | Tigard | $58,254 |
| 17 | Redmond | $58,234 |
| 18 | West Linn | $58,067 |
| 19 | Grants Pass | $57,858 |
| 20 | Tualatin | $57,564 |
| 21 | Pendleton | $57,559 |
| 22 | Wilsonville | $57,476 |
| 23 | Albany | $57,106 |
| 24 | Happy Valley | $56,982 |
| 25 | Hermiston | $56,825 |
| 26 | Central Point | $56,798 |
| 27 | Ashland | $56,793 |
| 28 | Keizer | $56,779 |
| 29 | Sherwood | $56,776 |
| 30 | Coos Bay | $56,681 |
| 31 | Roseburg | $56,474 |
| 32 | Canby | $56,442 |
| 33 | Newberg | $56,132 |
| 34 | The Dalles | $55,532 |
| 35 | Klamath Falls | $55,198 |
| 36 | Milwaukie | $55,068 |
More Oregon Salary Data
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced graphic designers.
Compare Cities in Oregon
View all comparisons →Explore More Graphic Designer Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do graphic designers make in Oregon in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for graphic designers in Oregon?
How does Oregon graphic designer pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level graphic designer salary in Oregon?
How many graphic designers are employed in Oregon?
Which Oregon 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 Oregon. State averages are employment-weighted across 36 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