Graphic Designer Hourly Pay in Kansas City, KS: $30.01 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a graphic designer working in Kansas City, KS runs $30.01 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $62,400 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 27-1024). Weighted against Kansas City's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.9, 9% below national), each hour of work buys what $33.01 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $37,447 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Kansas City, the graphic designer hourly pay is projected to be $30.01, slightly below the national median of $31.29. This figure illustrates the opportunities available for part-time graphic designers who may work three days a week. On a typical weekly schedule where they log around 24 hours, these designers can take home approximately $720 per week before taxes. The hourly rates for graphic designers in Kansas City range from around $17.70 for entry-level positions to $46.50 for top earners. These estimates are derived from annual salary data, reflecting the city's position as an accessible hub for both burgeoning careers and established professionals alike, whether they are working in creative agencies, in-house marketing teams, or from freelance setups.
About the Kansas City Market
Salary estimated from Kansas average ($52,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Graphic Designer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $17.70 | $141.56 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $22.34 | $178.69 |
| Median (P50) | $30.01 | $240.04 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $38.40 | $307.19 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $46.50 | $372.01 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Kansas City
Based on $30.01/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $30.01/hr, a graphic designer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Kansas City, KS can expect to earn approximately $62,411 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $36,006. With a cost-of-living index of 90.90 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Kansas City.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Kansas City
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,200.22 | $5,201 | $62,411 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $720.13 | $3,121 | $37,447 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $480.09 | $2,080 | $24,964 |
Compare Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Graphic Designer (Kansas City) | $30.01 |
| 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 Kansas City, KS earn a median of $62,400 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.11% lower than the national median of $65,075 and 5.50% above the Kansas state average of $59,147.
Graphic Designer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $30.01/hr = $37,447/year (purchasing power: $41,196).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $62,411/year (purchasing power: $68,659).
CoL index: 90.9 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$24.03/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$29.03/hr
2026 Current Est.
$30.01/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+29.1%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Graphic Designers in Kansas City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.36% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $24.03/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $24.61/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $23.38/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $26.74/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $27.16/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $23.10/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $29.03/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $30.01/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $31.01/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for graphic designers in Kansas City grew 20.8% from $24.03/hr (2019) to $29.03/hr (2025). At a 3.36% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $31.01/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 Kansas City 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 Kansas City
Part-time graphic designers often consider the balance between full-time stability and flexible scheduling. While a full-time position brings an annual income reflective of the median hourly rate, many opt for per-diem roles, allowing them to charge between $50 and $95 per hour based on project demands. High-level specialties like senior brand designers earn $75-$150 hourly, while motion graphics specialists may command anywhere from $100 to $180 per hour. Freelancers also have the potential for substantial earnings on larger contracts, ranging from $3,000 to over $30,000 depending on the project's scope. Employment type significantly influences hourly pay rates in Kansas City, with in-house marketing teams generally offering steadier work and benefits, while agency work can present broader creative challenges at lower initial hourly pay. Designers must weigh the trade-offs between securing health benefits and the premium pay they could earn without such securities. Negotiation skills become crucial for hourly workers to maximize their earnings, especially in a city with a growing design market.
More salary data for Kansas City, KS:
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 Kansas City. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Kansas City 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