Graphic Designer Salary in Olympia, WA: $69,985 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time graphic designer in Olympia, WA earns a median $69,985/year (≈ $33.64/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 27-1024). Once you factor in Olympia's price level (4% above national, BEA RPP 103.7), that paycheck buys what $67,507 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.0% above the Washington state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, graphic designers in Olympia, Washington can expect a median annual salary of $69,985, which represents a 7.55% premium above the national average of $65,075. Compensation in this market varies significantly, with salaries ranging from $47,484 at the lower end to as high as $103,071 for experienced professionals. These estimates are derived from official BLS OEWS surveys, highlighting the potential for earnings that are aligned with specialty skills, particularly in fields like motion graphics and brand identity. Such specialties often demand higher pay, reflecting the local job market's need for innovative design solutions.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $47,484 | $22.83 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $58,347 | $28.05 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $69,985 | $33.64 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $85,582 | $41.15 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $103,071 | $49.55 |
Median Salary Position
7.55% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Olympia
In Olympia, WA, the graphic designer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $55,587 (2026 est.). At $69,985, the local median is 7.55% above the national median of $65,075.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Olympia: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Olympia Graphic Designer Pay Compares
Olympia median: $69,985/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Olympia Pays |
|---|---|---|
| National Average | $65,075 | +7.55% more |
Graphic Designers in Olympia, WA earn a median of $69,985 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.55% higher than the national median of $65,075.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Olympia has a cost of living 3.67% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Olympia, WA has a cost-of-living index of 103.67 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $69,985 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $67,507 — a 3.54% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$54,030
2025 BLS Actual
$67,710
2026 Current Est.
$69,985
2019–2027 Growth
+33.9%
Salary Trajectory for Graphic Designers in Olympia (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.36% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $54,030 | Actual |
| 2020 | $56,050 | Actual |
| 2021 | $60,360 | Actual |
| 2022 | $61,210 | Actual |
| 2023 | $60,810 | Actual |
| 2024 | $62,760 | Actual |
| 2025 | $67,710 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $69,985 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $72,337 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Olympia metropolitan area, the median graphic designer salary grew 25.3% from $54,030 (2019) to $67,710 (2025). At a 3.36% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $72,337 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,307 (33.88%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Olympia 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) | $47,484 – $58,347 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $58,347 – $69,985 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $69,985 – $85,582 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $85,582 – $103,071 |
salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual graphic designer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Graphic Designer Job Market in Olympia
With approximately 110 graphic designers currently employed in the Olympia area, the local job market offers a stable environment for professionals. However, the cost of living index stands at 103.67, indicating that living expenses are slightly above the national average, which can impact take-home pay. Top employers in Olympia generally come from in-house corporate marketing teams in sectors such as finance and consumer packaged goods, where salaries can be competitive. The disparity in pay can be attributed to various factors, including the level of specialization, agency prestige, and the strength of one's portfolio. For those seeking to maximize their compensation, expertise in high-demand areas and a robust network can be crucial strategies in a market that increasingly values niche skills and strong branding capabilities.
More salary data for Olympia, WA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Related Pages
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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 $67,710 for graphic designersin the Olympia 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