Graphic Designer Salary in Tennessee: $60,013 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Tennessee's 30 metropolitan areas, the average median graphic designer pay sits at $60,013/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 27-1024. Because Tennessee sits at BEA RPP 91.8 (8% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $65,374 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Nashville ($60,370), Franklin ($59,643), Murfreesboro ($59,300).
In Tennessee, the projected average median salary for graphic designers in 2026 is $60,013, which is approximately 7.8% lower than the national median of $65,075. Nashville tops the list with an average salary of $62,398, while Morristown has the lowest at $48,931, indicating a salary gap of $13,467. This difference can be attributed to factors such as the concentration of creative industries in urban areas like Nashville and Franklin, where demand for graphic design is higher. Tennessee does not have state licensing requirements specifically for graphic designers, but designers must stay current with industry trends and software. The demand for graphic design is driven by local businesses expanding their digital and print marketing efforts, with a projected annual growth rate of 3.36% for the sector. Overall, the job market in Tennessee shows a positive outlook for graphic designers, with a total of 3,372 employed statewide. The top five cities for graphic design positions include Nashville, Franklin at $61,647, Murfreesboro at $61,292, Memphis at $60,982, and Cleveland at $59,215, reflecting a variety of opportunities across different metropolitan areas.
Tennessee Graphic Designer Salary Range
Overall salary range in Tennessee: $31,173 (lowest entry-level) to $104,383 (highest top earner)
Tennessee vs National Average
Tennessee graphic designers earn 7.78% less than the national median ($-5,062/year difference).
Tennessee Graphic Designer Salary Distribution (2026)
Graphic Designer salaries in Tennessee range from $41,046 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $95,702 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $60,013. The Tennessee median is $5,062 below the US national median of $65,075. The average hourly rate is $28.86/hr. Approximately 3,372 graphic designers are employed across 30 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$48,418
2025 BLS Actual
$58,062
2026 Current Est.
$60,013
2019–2027 Growth
+28.1%
Salary Trajectory for Graphic Designers in Tennessee (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.36% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $48,418 | Actual |
| 2020 | $47,637 | Actual |
| 2021 | $48,107 | Actual |
| 2022 | $49,428 | Actual |
| 2023 | $48,355 | Actual |
| 2024 | $52,534 | Actual |
| 2025 | $58,062 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $60,013 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $62,029 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Tennessee metropolitan area, the median graphic designer salary grew 19.9% from $48,418 (2019) to $58,062 (2025). At a 3.36% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $62,029 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,611 (28.11%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Tennessee 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 Tennessee
Lowest Paying Cities in Tennessee
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Morristown | $48,931 |
| Jackson | $49,654 |
| Tullahoma | $50,051 |
| Clarksville | $50,150 |
| Johnson City | $50,326 |
Best Value Cities for Graphic Designers in Tennessee
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Tennessee cities offer the most purchasing power for graphic designers.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cleveland | $59,215 | 88.08 | $67,229 |
| Franklin | $61,647 | 91.8 | $67,154 |
| Murfreesboro | $61,292 | 91.8 | $66,767 |
| Memphis | $60,982 | 92.179 | $66,156 |
| Nashville | $62,398 | 96.338 | $64,770 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Tennessee
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $41,046 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $60,013 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $95,702 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Tennessee metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 30 Cities in Tennessee
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nashville | $62,398 |
| 2 | Franklin | $61,647 |
| 3 | Murfreesboro | $61,292 |
| 4 | Memphis | $60,982 |
| 5 | Cleveland | $59,215 |
| 6 | Knoxville | $58,626 |
| 7 | Chattanooga | $57,106 |
| 8 | Smyrna | $54,756 |
| 9 | Bartlett | $54,481 |
| 10 | Collierville | $54,292 |
| 11 | Spring Hill | $53,876 |
| 12 | Lebanon | $53,153 |
| 13 | Oak Ridge | $53,149 |
| 14 | Columbia | $52,792 |
| 15 | Germantown | $52,725 |
| 16 | Hendersonville | $52,619 |
| 17 | Gallatin | $52,527 |
| 18 | Brentwood | $52,254 |
| 19 | Shelbyville | $51,847 |
| 20 | Mount Juliet | $51,846 |
| 21 | La Vergne | $51,737 |
| 22 | Cookeville | $51,472 |
| 23 | Maryville | $51,438 |
| 24 | Kingsport | $51,236 |
| 25 | Sevierville | $51,143 |
| 26 | Johnson City | $50,326 |
| 27 | Clarksville | $50,150 |
| 28 | Tullahoma | $50,051 |
| 29 | Jackson | $49,654 |
| 30 | Morristown | $48,931 |
More Tennessee Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore graphic designer hourly pay in Tennessee cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced graphic designers.
Compare Cities in Tennessee
View all comparisons →Explore More Graphic Designer Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do graphic designers make in Tennessee in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for graphic designers in Tennessee?
How does Tennessee graphic designer pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level graphic designer salary in Tennessee?
How many graphic designers are employed in Tennessee?
Which Tennessee 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 Tennessee. State averages are employment-weighted across 30 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