Graphic Designer Hourly Pay in Fort Smith, AR: $19.67 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a graphic designer working in Fort Smith, AR runs $19.67 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $40,920 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 27-1024). Weighted against Fort Smith's regional price level (BEA RPP 85.9, 14% below national), each hour of work buys what $22.90 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $24,547 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Graphic designers in Fort Smith, AR, earn a median hourly pay of $19.67, significantly lower than the national median of $31.29. This disparity influences the work dynamics for those in various employment settings such as agency studios, corporate marketing departments, and freelance home offices. For part-time or per-diem workers, typically operating three days a week, earning this hourly rate can provide a reasonable income, albeit below national standards. The hourly pay range for graphic designers in the area varies from $15.17 for entry-level positions to $30.47 for top earners, reflecting a competitive but constrained local market. According to the official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data, these figures showcase the economic realities faced by graphic designers within Fort Smith.
Graphic Designer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $15.17 | $121.39 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $18.96 | $151.65 |
| Median (P50) | $19.67 | $157.36 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $25.06 | $200.52 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $30.47 | $243.76 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Fort Smith
Based on $19.67/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $19.67/hr, a graphic designer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Fort Smith, AR can expect to earn approximately $40,912 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $23,603. With a cost-of-living index of 85.89 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Fort Smith.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Fort Smith
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $786.78 | $3,409 | $40,912 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $472.07 | $2,046 | $24,547 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $314.71 | $1,364 | $16,365 |
Compare Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Graphic Designer (Fort Smith) | $19.67 |
| Web Developer (National Avg) | $45.87 |
| Art Director (National Avg) | $62.64 |
| Special Effects / Animator (National Avg) | $45.53 |
| Industrial Designer (National Avg) | $41.73 |
Graphic Designers in Fort Smith, AR earn a median of $40,920 per year (2026 est.), which is 37.12% lower than the national median of $65,075 and 0.50% below the Arkansas state average of $41,126.
Graphic Designer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $19.67/hr = $24,547/year (purchasing power: $28,581).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $40,912/year (purchasing power: $47,635).
CoL index: 85.888 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$19.54/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$19.03/hr
2026 Current Est.
$19.67/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+4.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Graphic Designers in Fort Smith (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.36% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $19.54/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $16.42/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $18.49/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $18.12/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $18.65/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $17.61/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $19.03/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $19.67/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $20.33/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for graphic designers in Fort Smith grew -2.6% from $19.54/hr (2019) to $19.03/hr (2025). At a 3.36% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $20.33/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem graphic designers can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Fort Smith 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.
Working as an Hourly Graphic Designer in Fort Smith
The earning potential for part-time graphic designers working a 24-hour week amounts to approximately $23,000 annually, which can be significantly less than what full-time designers might bring home. Many designers engaged in per-diem or contract work can command higher rates, with agencies often billing between $50 and $95 per hour for freelance assignments, notably for specialized roles such as motion graphics or brand identity where fees can go as high as $180 per hour. In Fort Smith, hourly rates vary by employer type; in-house positions may offer steadier pay and benefits, while agency work might lead to a more innovative and diverse project portfolio but generally starts with lower pay. Designers often have to consider trade-offs between higher hourly compensation in freelance work versus the stability of salaried positions with health insurance. For negotiating effectively, understanding local industry standards can empower graphic designers in Fort Smith to advocate for their worth, tailored to the unique market conditions they face.
More salary data for Fort Smith, AR:
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
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 3.36% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for graphic designers in Fort Smith. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
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