Graphic Designer Salary in Fort Worth, TX: $65,493 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time graphic designer in Fort Worth, TX earns a median $65,493/year (≈ $31.48/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 27-1024). Once you factor in Fort Worth's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 96.0), that paycheck buys what $68,222 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 31.7% above the Texas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, graphic designers in Fort Worth, Texas, can expect to earn a median annual salary of $65,493, reflecting a slight premium compared to the national median of $65,075. The salary range for this role spans from $41,224 at the 10th percentile to $101,514 at the 90th percentile, indicating a diverse market for design talent. These figures, derived from BLS state-level data and regional cost adjustments, position Fort Worth’s salary offerings competitively, particularly for professionals specializing in motion graphics and brand identity, which typically command higher compensation. With a projected annual growth rate of 3.36%, the job market for graphic designers seems poised for steady expansion, driven by the ongoing demand for visual communication across various sectors in the area.
About the Fort Worth Market
Salary estimated from Texas average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $41,224 | $19.82 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $50,898 | $24.47 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $65,493 | $31.48 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $83,831 | $40.30 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $101,514 | $48.81 |
Median Salary Position
0.64% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Fort Worth
In Fort Worth, TX, the graphic designer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $60,290 (2026 est.). At $65,493, the local median is 0.64% above the national median of $65,075.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Fort Worth: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Fort Worth Graphic Designer Pay Compares
Fort Worth median: $65,493/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Fort Worth Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $49,729 | +31.70% more |
| National Average | $65,075 | +0.64% more |
Graphic Designers in Fort Worth, TX earn a median of $65,493 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.64% higher than the national median of $65,075 and 31.70% above the Texas state average of $49,729.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Fort Worth has a cost of living 4.00% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Fort Worth, TX has a cost-of-living index of 96 (below the national average of 100). A graphic designer earning $65,493 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $68,222 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.17% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$52,444
2025 BLS Actual
$63,364
2026 Current Est.
$65,493
2019–2027 Growth
+29.1%
Salary Trajectory for Graphic Designers in Fort Worth (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.36% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $52,444 | Actual |
| 2020 | $53,723 | Actual |
| 2021 | $51,035 | Actual |
| 2022 | $58,362 | Actual |
| 2023 | $59,288 | Actual |
| 2024 | $63,862 | Actual |
| 2025 | $63,364 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $65,493 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $67,694 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Fort Worth metropolitan area, the median graphic designer salary grew 20.8% from $52,444 (2019) to $63,364 (2025). At a 3.36% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $67,694 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,250 (29.08%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Fort Worth 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) | $41,224 – $50,898 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $50,898 – $65,493 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $65,493 – $83,831 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $83,831 – $101,514 |
salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual graphic designer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Graphic Designer Job Market in Fort Worth
Within Fort Worth's job market, 219 graphic designers are currently employed, contributing to a rich landscape of opportunities. The cost of living index stands at 96, suggesting that residents enjoy a more favorable purchasing power compared to many other U.S. metro areas. Creative professionals in Fort Worth can find some of the highest salaries within in-house corporate marketing teams at banks, consumer packaged goods (CPG) brands, and tech companies, as well as advertising agencies like Wieden+Kennedy and Droga5. A disparity in pay often emerges based on specialty, with motion graphics and brand identity roles frequently yielding higher salaries than general graphic design positions. Portfolio strength, along with title advancements such as moving into a creative director position, can significantly influence earning potential. Designers looking to maximize their pay should concentrate on building a compelling portfolio, targeting in-house roles in higher-paying sectors, or developing expertise in specialized areas that yield premium compensation.
More salary data for Fort Worth, 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 $63,364 for graphic designersin the Fort Worth 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 Fort Worth 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