Graphic Designer Hourly Pay in Great Falls, MT: $24.42 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a graphic designer working in Great Falls, MT runs $24.42 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $50,801 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 27-1024). Weighted against Great Falls's regional price level (BEA RPP 96.8, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $25.22 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $30,481 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Great Falls, Montana, graphic design professionals can expect a median hourly rate of $24.42, which is notably lower than the national median of $31.29. This pay scale provides insights for various types of design work, whether it be part-time positions, freelance gigs, or contract roles within the city. For instance, a graphic designer working part-time—let's say three days a week—could anticipate an annual take-home pay that significantly varies from those working full-time schedules, creating a flexible earning opportunity depending on individual choices. The hourly range within Great Falls stretches from $18.85 at the entry level to $51.35 for seasoned designers, making it a diverse field in terms of client and employer types, including roles in creative agencies, in-house departments, and freelance environments, all supported by Adobe CC and other collaborative workflows. These figures come from official Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates based on 2025 BLS data, projected to 2026.
Graphic Designer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $18.85 | $150.82 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $22.10 | $176.79 |
| Median (P50) | $24.42 | $195.39 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $30.22 | $241.78 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $51.35 | $410.79 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Great Falls
Based on $24.42/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $24.42/hr, a graphic designer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Great Falls, MT can expect to earn approximately $50,802 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $29,309. With a cost-of-living index of 96.84 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Great Falls.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Great Falls
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $976.96 | $4,233 | $50,802 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $586.18 | $2,540 | $30,481 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $390.78 | $1,693 | $20,321 |
Compare Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Graphic Designer (Great Falls) | $24.42 |
| 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 Great Falls, MT earn a median of $50,801 per year (2026 est.), which is 21.93% lower than the national median of $65,075 and 15.50% below the Montana state average of $60,120.
Graphic Designer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $24.42/hr = $30,481/year (purchasing power: $31,474).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $50,802/year (purchasing power: $52,457).
CoL index: 96.845 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$17.55/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$23.63/hr
2026 Current Est.
$24.42/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+43.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Graphic Designers in Great Falls (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.36% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $17.55/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $17.80/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $18.71/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $20.33/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $22.11/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $22.80/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $23.63/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $24.42/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $25.24/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for graphic designers in Great Falls grew 34.6% from $17.55/hr (2019) to $23.63/hr (2025). At a 3.36% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $25.24/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 Great Falls 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 Great Falls
Taking a closer look, a graphic designer in Great Falls working part-time for 24 hours a week would earn around $28,029 annually, significantly different from a full-time role. Moreover, per diem graphic designers often command rates that range from $50 to $95 per hour, while senior brand designers see rates of $75 to $150 hourly, depending on their project scope. Motion graphics specialists can charge even higher hourly rates, from $100 to $180, making specialization in this arena quite lucrative. The pay landscape varies by employer type; in-house positions might provide steadier salaries with benefits, while ad agencies could offer a wider variety of projects and more dynamic work environments, albeit often at a lower starting wage. This trade-off between hourly pay and additional benefits is crucial when considering career paths in graphic design. For those looking to negotiate, highlighting specific skills in Adobe Creative Suite or illustrating a robust portfolio can significantly enhance bargaining power in this competitive market.
More salary data for Great Falls, MT:
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 Great Falls. 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, 6-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