Graphic Designer Salary in Hendersonville, TN: $52,619 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time graphic designer in Hendersonville, TN earns a median $52,619/year (≈ $25.30/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 27-1024). Once you factor in Hendersonville's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.8), that paycheck buys what $57,319 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.9% below the Tennessee state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Hendersonville, TN, the projected median annual graphic designer salary stands at $52,619 for 2026, reflecting the unique dynamics of the local market compared to the national figure of $65,075. The salary range for graphic designers here spans from $33,739 at the 10th percentile to $81,558 at the 90th percentile, indicating a varied landscape where experience and specialization can significantly influence earnings. These estimates are derived from 2025 BLS data adjusted for regional price parities, offering a closer look at local economic conditions. As the design industry evolves, with an increasing number of professionals entering the freelance space, Hendersonville's job market presents distinct opportunities tailored to both in-house and project-based engagements.
About the Hendersonville Market
Salary estimated from Tennessee average ($52,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $33,739 | $16.22 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $39,972 | $19.21 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $52,619 | $25.30 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $67,351 | $32.38 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $81,558 | $39.21 |
Median Salary Position
19.14% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Hendersonville
In Hendersonville, TN, the graphic designer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $47,819 (2026 est.). At $52,619, the local median is 19.14% below the national median of $65,075.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Hendersonville: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Hendersonville Graphic Designer Pay Compares
Hendersonville median: $52,619/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Hendersonville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Tennessee Average | $54,190 | -2.90% less |
| National Average | $65,075 | -19.14% less |
Graphic Designers in Hendersonville, TN earn a median of $52,619 per year (2026 est.), which is 19.14% lower than the national median of $65,075 and 2.90% below the Tennessee state average of $54,190.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Hendersonville has a cost of living 8.20% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Hendersonville, TN has a cost-of-living index of 91.8 (below the national average of 100). A graphic designer earning $52,619 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $57,319 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.93% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$42,135
2025 BLS Actual
$50,908
2026 Current Est.
$52,619
2019–2027 Growth
+29.1%
Salary Trajectory for Graphic Designers in Hendersonville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.36% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $42,135 | Actual |
| 2020 | $43,162 | Actual |
| 2021 | $41,003 | Actual |
| 2022 | $46,889 | Actual |
| 2023 | $47,633 | Actual |
| 2024 | $46,368 | Actual |
| 2025 | $50,908 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $52,619 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $54,386 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Hendersonville metropolitan area, the median graphic designer salary grew 20.8% from $42,135 (2019) to $50,908 (2025). At a 3.36% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $54,386 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,251 (29.08%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Hendersonville 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) | $33,739 – $39,972 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $39,972 – $52,619 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $52,619 – $67,351 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $67,351 – $81,558 |
salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual graphic designer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Graphic Designer Job Market in Hendersonville
A closer examination of the graphic design job market in Hendersonville reveals that only 13 graphic designers are currently employed in the area, which may limit collaboration opportunities but can foster a tight-knit community. The local cost of living index, sitting at 91.8, suggests that graphic designer pay in Hendersonville TN allows for a relatively comfortable lifestyle, especially when considering the salary structures in place. Major employers such as banks and consumer packaged goods companies often offer the highest salaries, while top-tier advertising agencies may provide better opportunities for advancement and creative involvement. Factors influencing pay variance include specialty skills in high demand, such as motion graphics and brand identity design, alongside the competitive nature of agencies versus the steadier in-house roles. For designers looking to maximize earnings, building a strong portfolio, strategically targeting high-value niches, and considering contract work with established companies may yield the best financial outcomes in this evolving market.
More salary data for Hendersonville, TN:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do graphic designers make in Hendersonville, TN in 2026?
Is Hendersonville, TN a good place to work as a graphic designer?
Can graphic designers make $100K in Hendersonville?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted graphic designer salary in Hendersonville?
How much does a graphic designer make per hour in Hendersonville?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Tennessee
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 $50,908 for graphic designersin the Hendersonville 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 Hendersonville 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