Graphic Designer Hourly Pay in Manhattan, KS: $24.74 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a graphic designer working in Manhattan, KS runs $24.74 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $51,473 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 27-1024). Weighted against Manhattan's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.2, 10% below national), each hour of work buys what $27.44 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $30,881 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Graphic designers in Manhattan, Kansas, earn a median hourly rate of $24.74, notably lower than the national median of $31.29. This discrepancy reflects the local market conditions, providing a unique environment for part-time and per-diem workers who commonly find positions in various settings, including creative agencies, marketing departments, and remote workspaces. With an hourly range from $11.45 (entry-level) to $39.05 (top earners), this field offers diverse opportunities that cater to different skill levels. These figures, derived from official data based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, project a dynamic career landscape for graphic designers in Manhattan, KS, particularly in a city that supports both corporate in-house roles and the freelance gig economy.
Graphic Designer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $11.45 | $91.62 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $19.25 | $153.97 |
| Median (P50) | $24.74 | $197.96 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $31.04 | $248.31 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $39.05 | $312.40 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Manhattan
Based on $24.74/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $24.74/hr, a graphic designer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Manhattan, KS can expect to earn approximately $51,468 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $29,693. With a cost-of-living index of 90.16 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Manhattan.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Manhattan
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $989.78 | $4,289 | $51,468 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $593.87 | $2,573 | $30,881 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $395.91 | $1,716 | $20,587 |
Compare Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Graphic Designer (Manhattan) | $24.74 |
| 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 Manhattan, KS earn a median of $51,473 per year (2026 est.), which is 20.90% lower than the national median of $65,075 and 13.00% below the Kansas state average of $59,165.
Graphic Designer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $24.74/hr = $30,881/year (purchasing power: $34,251).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $51,468/year (purchasing power: $57,084).
CoL index: 90.162 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$20.98/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$23.94/hr
2026 Current Est.
$24.74/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+21.9%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Graphic Designers in Manhattan (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.36% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $20.98/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $18.18/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $20.83/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $20.82/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $21.46/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $23.21/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $23.94/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $24.74/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $25.58/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for graphic designers in Manhattan grew 14.1% from $20.98/hr (2019) to $23.94/hr (2025). At a 3.36% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $25.58/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 Manhattan 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 Manhattan
The earning potential for graphic designers working part-time, such as on a three-day workweek (approximately 24 hours), adjusts their annual income compared to full-time employees, significantly affecting their financial stability. Per diem graphic designers often bill at higher rates, ranging between $50-$95 per hour for agency projects, with seasoned specialists in areas like motion graphics or brand identity commanding even steeper fees of $75-$180 per hour. While working in-house for corporate teams can provide steadier benefits and predictable pay, freelancers and contractors enjoy a wider scope of work but face more uncertainty. It’s common for designers to negotiate based on these factors; knowing the pay range and being willing to discuss benefits can lead to favorable outcomes. Understanding the local market and the specific employer type in Manhattan is crucial, whether one is seeking stable employment or thriving in a more varied freelance landscape.
More salary data for Manhattan, 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 Manhattan. 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