Graphic Designer Salary in Charleston, SC: $63,515 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time graphic designer in Charleston, SC earns a median $63,515/year (≈ $30.53/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 27-1024). Once you factor in Charleston's price level (1% above national, BEA RPP 101.0), that paycheck buys what $62,910 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.0% above the South Carolina state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Charleston, South Carolina, the graphic designer salary stands at a median of $63,515 in 2026, slightly below the national average of $65,075. The salary range for this profession is quite broad, with entry-level positions starting at approximately $37,509 (P10) and experienced designers earning up to $98,905 (P90). This data is derived from projections based on 2025 BLS OEWS surveys and reflects the employment dynamics in the region. Given the presence of both in-house corporate teams and vibrant advertising agencies, the choice between a more stable corporate environment and the creative diversity of an agency can significantly impact overall compensation.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $37,509 | $18.04 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $47,039 | $22.62 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $63,515 | $30.53 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $83,246 | $40.02 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $98,905 | $47.55 |
Median Salary Position
2.4% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Charleston
In Charleston, SC, the graphic designer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $61,396 (2026 est.). At $63,515, the local median is 2.4% below the national median of $65,075.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Charleston: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Charleston Graphic Designer Pay Compares
Charleston median: $63,515/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Charleston Pays |
|---|---|---|
| South Carolina Average | $60,490 | +5.00% more |
| National Average | $65,075 | -2.40% less |
Graphic Designers in Charleston, SC earn a median of $63,515 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.40% lower than the national median of $65,075 and 5.00% above the South Carolina state average of $60,490.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Charleston has a cost of living 0.96% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Charleston, SC has a cost-of-living index of 100.962 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $63,515 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $62,910 — a 0.95% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$43,130
2025 BLS Actual
$61,450
2026 Current Est.
$63,515
2019–2027 Growth
+52.2%
Salary Trajectory for Graphic Designers in Charleston (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.36% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $43,130 | Actual |
| 2020 | $44,470 | Actual |
| 2021 | $48,890 | Actual |
| 2022 | $51,630 | Actual |
| 2023 | $49,090 | Actual |
| 2024 | $62,080 | Actual |
| 2025 | $61,450 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $63,515 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $65,649 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Charleston metropolitan area, the median graphic designer salary grew 42.5% from $43,130 (2019) to $61,450 (2025). At a 3.36% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $65,649 by 2027 — a total increase of $22,519 (52.21%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Charleston 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) | $37,509 – $47,039 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $47,039 – $63,515 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $63,515 – $83,246 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $83,246 – $98,905 |
salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual graphic designer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Graphic Designer Job Market in Charleston
The local job market for graphic designers in Charleston includes about 320 professionals, each navigating a cost of living index of 100.962, which slightly exceeds the national average. The premium salaries are often found within corporate marketing teams in sectors like finance and consumer packaged goods, while top-tier advertising and digital agencies can also offer notable pay, especially for specialized roles such as motion graphics or brand identity. The disparity in earnings here is influenced by several factors: portfolio strength, the complexity of projects, and the tier of agency or corporate employer. For graphic designers seeking to maximize their pay, developing a niche in high-demand specialties, expanding their portfolio through various projects, and considering the freelance market's potential can be effective strategies in Charleston SC’s evolving design landscape.
More salary data for Charleston, SC:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Related Pages
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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 $61,450 for graphic designersin the Charleston 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