Graphic Designer Salary in Goose Creek, SC: $58,062 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time graphic designer in Goose Creek, SC earns a median $58,062/year (≈ $27.92/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 27-1024). Once you factor in Goose Creek's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.5), that paycheck buys what $63,456 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.0% below the South Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Goose Creek, South Carolina, graphic designers can expect a median annual salary of $58,062 in 2026, which is notably lower than the national median of $65,075. The local salary range spans from $39,224 at the 10th percentile to $89,997 at the 90th percentile, reflecting a diverse market for design work. Rates for freelance designers often depend on project complexity, with different expectations for day rates versus project rates. While Goose Creek offers a promising avenue for graphic designers, the compensation structure reveals challenges, especially when contrasted against bigger markets.
About the Goose Creek Market
Salary estimated from South Carolina average ($50,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $39,224 | $18.85 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $45,407 | $21.83 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $58,062 | $27.92 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $74,320 | $35.73 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $89,997 | $43.27 |
Median Salary Position
10.78% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Goose Creek
In Goose Creek, SC, the graphic designer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $50,773 (2026 est.). At $58,062, the local median is 10.78% below the national median of $65,075.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Goose Creek: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Goose Creek Graphic Designer Pay Compares
Goose Creek median: $58,062/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Goose Creek Pays |
|---|---|---|
| South Carolina Average | $60,482 | -4.00% less |
| National Average | $65,075 | -10.78% less |
Graphic Designers in Goose Creek, SC earn a median of $58,062 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.78% lower than the national median of $65,075 and 4.00% below the South Carolina state average of $60,482.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Goose Creek has a cost of living 8.50% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Goose Creek, SC has a cost-of-living index of 91.5 (below the national average of 100). A graphic designer earning $58,062 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $63,456 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.29% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$46,494
2025 BLS Actual
$56,175
2026 Current Est.
$58,062
2019–2027 Growth
+29.1%
Salary Trajectory for Graphic Designers in Goose Creek (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.36% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $46,494 | Actual |
| 2020 | $47,627 | Actual |
| 2021 | $45,245 | Actual |
| 2022 | $51,741 | Actual |
| 2023 | $52,561 | Actual |
| 2024 | $43,932 | Actual |
| 2025 | $56,175 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $58,062 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $60,013 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Goose Creek metropolitan area, the median graphic designer salary grew 20.8% from $46,494 (2019) to $56,175 (2025). At a 3.36% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $60,013 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,519 (29.08%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Goose Creek 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) | $39,224 – $45,407 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $45,407 – $58,062 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $58,062 – $74,320 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $74,320 – $89,997 |
salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual graphic designer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Graphic Designer Job Market in Goose Creek
Within the context of Goose Creek, the job market for graphic designers sees 11 active professionals, providing a relatively stable presence. The cost of living index stands at 91.5, suggesting that while salaries may lag behind national averages, take-home purchasing power remains reasonable. In-house corporate environments, like those at banks and CPG companies, tend to offer more competitive salaries than smaller advertising agencies or freelance opportunities. This disparity is influenced by factors such as specialization in motion graphics or brand identity, where higher pay is common. For designers seeking to maximize their pay in Goose Creek, developing a strong portfolio focused on specialized skills or exploring opportunities within top-tier corporate teams can be effective strategies.
More salary data for Goose Creek, SC:
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 $56,175 for graphic designersin the Goose Creek 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
Salary data for Goose Creek is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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