Graphic Designer Salary in Brownsville, TX: $49,861 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time graphic designer in Brownsville, TX earns a median $49,861/year (≈ $23.97/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 27-1024). Once you factor in Brownsville's price level (14% below national, BEA RPP 86.0), that paycheck buys what $57,995 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.2% above the Texas state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, graphic designers in Brownsville, Texas, can anticipate a median annual salary of $49,861, which is notably 23.38% lower than the national median of $65,075. The salary landscape here spans from $30,533 at the 10th percentile to a high of $89,427 at the 90th percentile, illustrating a significant range influenced by the choice between agency and in-house roles. Positions in agencies may start at a lower base but often provide broader project exposure and higher creative potential, while in-house corporate jobs typically offer more stability and benefits albeit with limited scope. This dynamic informs overall compensation, as designers evaluate not just immediate earnings but also long-term career growth opportunities within Brownsville's job market.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $30,533 | $14.68 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $37,034 | $17.81 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $49,861 | $23.97 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $61,592 | $29.61 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $89,427 | $42.99 |
Median Salary Position
23.38% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Brownsville
In Brownsville, TX, the graphic designer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $58,894 (2026 est.). At $49,861, the local median is 23.38% below the national median of $65,075.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Brownsville: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Brownsville Graphic Designer Pay Compares
Brownsville median: $49,861/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Brownsville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $49,761 | +0.20% more |
| National Average | $65,075 | -23.38% less |
Graphic Designers in Brownsville, TX earn a median of $49,861 per year (2026 est.), which is 23.38% lower than the national median of $65,075 and 0.20% above the Texas state average of $49,761.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Brownsville has a cost of living 14.03% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Brownsville, TX has a cost-of-living index of 85.975 (below the national average of 100). A graphic designer earning $49,861 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $57,995 in an average-cost city — an effective 16.31% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$29,430
2025 BLS Actual
$48,240
2026 Current Est.
$49,861
2019–2027 Growth
+75.1%
Salary Trajectory for Graphic Designers in Brownsville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.36% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $29,430 | Actual |
| 2020 | $31,080 | Actual |
| 2021 | $37,020 | Actual |
| 2022 | $38,940 | Actual |
| 2023 | $40,690 | Actual |
| 2024 | $41,290 | Actual |
| 2025 | $48,240 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $49,861 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $51,536 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Brownsville metropolitan area, the median graphic designer salary grew 63.9% from $29,430 (2019) to $48,240 (2025). At a 3.36% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $51,536 by 2027 — a total increase of $22,106 (75.11%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Brownsville 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) | $30,533 – $37,034 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $37,034 – $49,861 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $49,861 – $61,592 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $61,592 – $89,427 |
salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual graphic designer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Graphic Designer Job Market in Brownsville
Among the 60 employed graphic designers in Brownsville, the cost of living, indexed at 85.975, presents a crucial factor for take-home purchasing power. The local market may favor in-house corporate teams, particularly in industries like finance or consumer packaged goods, which generally pay more than smaller agencies or the freelance sector. High salaries often correlate with specialized skills such as motion graphics and brand identity, which command a premium compared to general design roles. To maximize pay potential in this specific market, designers should focus on building a strong portfolio that showcases niche specialties, consider upward mobility into creative director positions, and strategically select projects that align with higher-paying segments. Balancing the challenge of lower initial salaries against long-term gains is essential for shaping a successful career in graphic design in Brownsville, TX.
More salary data for Brownsville, TX:
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 $48,240 for graphic designersin the Brownsville 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