Graphic Designer Pay

St. Louis vs Wentzville: Graphic Designer Salary (2026)

Compare graphic designer salaries between St. Louis, MO and Wentzville, MO. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

St. Louis, MO
$63,050
$30.32/hr
Wentzville, MO
$48,874
$23.49/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricSt. Louis, MOWentzville, MO
Median Salary$63,050$48,874
Hourly Rate$30.32$23.49
Entry Level (P10)$41,272$32,456
25th Percentile$50,254$37,807
75th Percentile$79,132$62,559
Top Earner (P90)$91,722$75,755
Total Employed2,01010
Side-by-side bar chart comparing St. Louis ($63,050) and Wentzville ($48,874) graphic designer salaries.St. LouisWentzvilleMedian Salary$63,050$48,874Entry Level (P10)$41,272$32,456Top Earner (P90)$91,722$75,755US Median $65,075

Verdict

St. Louis, MO offers better overall compensation for graphic designers, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Wentzville.

The salary gap between St. Louis and Wentzville is $14,176 (29.01%). St. Louis's median is -3.11% compared to the US national median of $65,075.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in St. Louis spans $50,450,Wentzville spans $43,299. St. Louis has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

St. Louis
P10 (Entry)$41,272
P25$50,254
Median$63,050
P75$79,132
P90 (Top)$91,722
Wentzville
P10 (Entry)$32,456
P25$37,807
Median$48,874
P75$62,559
P90 (Top)$75,755

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, St. Louis ($66,307 effective) pays 21.56% more than Wentzville ($54,547 effective).

St. Louis
Nominal: $63,050
CoL Index: 95.088
Adjusted: $66,307
Wentzville
Nominal: $48,874
CoL Index: 89.6
Adjusted: $54,547

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose St. Louis if…

  • Higher median salary ($63,050/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($91,722)
  • Larger job market (2,010 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $66,307)
  • You prefer the Missouri area and lifestyle

Choose Wentzville if…

  • You prefer the Missouri area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, graphic designer salaries in St. Louis grew 12.6% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 2.5% growth in Wentzville over the same period.

St. Louis, MO

+12.6%

$54,190 (2019) → $61,000 (2025)

Wentzville, MO

+2.5%

$46,135 (2024) → $47,285 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays graphic designers more: St. Louis or Wentzville?

St. Louis has a higher median graphic designer salary at $63,050/year, compared to Wentzville at $48,874/year — a difference of $14,176 (29.01%).

What is the hourly rate difference between St. Louis and Wentzville?

St. Louis graphic designers earn $30.32/hr while Wentzville hygienists earn $23.49/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from St. Louis to Wentzville as a graphic designer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing St. Louis and Wentzville. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: St. Louis = $66,307, Wentzville = $54,547), job availability (2,010 vs 10 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level graphic designers earn in St. Louis vs Wentzville?

Entry-level (10th percentile) graphic designers earn $41,272 in St. Louis and $32,456 in Wentzville. The St. Louis area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

JL

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.

Clinically reviewed by Amina Patel, BFAData verified by Carlos Rodriguez, MA

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 3.36% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, MFA, a licensed graphic designer with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov