Graphic Designer Salary in College Station, TX: $52,228 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time graphic designer in College Station, TX earns a median $52,228/year (≈ $25.11/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 27-1024). Once you factor in College Station's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 91.0), that paycheck buys what $57,424 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.0% above the Texas state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, graphic designers in College Station, TX, can anticipate a median annual salary of $52,228, which reflects a significant gap of nearly 20% below the national median of $65,075. Salary ranges from $36,765 at the 10th percentile to $82,678 at the 90th percentile indicate opportunities for varied experience levels. Those focusing on specialties such as motion graphics and brand identity are likely to command a premium within this range, thanks to increasing demand for innovative digital content. Official estimates based on 2025 BLS OEWS data suggest a market that remains stable, reinforcing the importance of design in local branding efforts within a region buoyed by educational institutions and corporate players.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $36,765 | $17.67 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $46,109 | $22.17 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $52,228 | $25.11 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $66,078 | $31.77 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $82,678 | $39.75 |
Median Salary Position
19.74% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in College Station
In College Station, TX, the graphic designer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $45,913 (2026 est.). At $52,228, the local median is 19.74% below the national median of $65,075.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in College Station: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How College Station Graphic Designer Pay Compares
College Station median: $52,228/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | College Station Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $49,741 | +5.00% more |
| National Average | $65,075 | -19.74% less |
Graphic Designers in College Station, TX earn a median of $52,228 per year (2026 est.), which is 19.74% lower than the national median of $65,075 and 5.00% above the Texas state average of $49,741.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
College Station has a cost of living 9.05% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
College Station, TX has a cost-of-living index of 90.951 (below the national average of 100). A graphic designer earning $52,228 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $57,424 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.95% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$46,710
2025 BLS Actual
$50,530
2026 Current Est.
$52,228
2019–2027 Growth
+15.6%
Salary Trajectory for Graphic Designers in College Station (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.36% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $46,710 | Actual |
| 2020 | $45,470 | Actual |
| 2021 | $39,260 | Actual |
| 2022 | $47,110 | Actual |
| 2023 | $41,200 | Actual |
| 2024 | $47,830 | Actual |
| 2025 | $50,530 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $52,228 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $53,983 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the College Station metropolitan area, the median graphic designer salary grew 8.2% from $46,710 (2019) to $50,530 (2025). At a 3.36% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $53,983 by 2027 — a total increase of $7,273 (15.57%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the College Station 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) | $36,765 – $46,109 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $46,109 – $52,228 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $52,228 – $66,078 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $66,078 – $82,678 |
salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual graphic designer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Graphic Designer Job Market in College Station
With approximately 110 graphic designers employed in College Station, the local job market offers a steady platform for job seekers. Although the cost of living index stands at a favorable 90.951, relative purchasing power allows designers to maintain their quality of life amid competitive salaries. Employers in corporate settings, particularly in finance and consumer packaged goods, typically offer the highest compensation, while top-tier advertising agencies also account for notable payouts. The spread between lower and higher salaries in this market can be attributed to specialty skills, project work types, and the title of creative director, which significantly enhances pay scales. For those looking to maximize earnings, investing in a strong portfolio showcasing specialties in motion graphics or brand identity—and seeking opportunities within high-paying in-house or agency roles—can prove beneficial in navigating the competitive landscape of graphic designer pay in College Station.
More salary data for College Station, 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 $50,530 for graphic designersin the College Station 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