Graphic Designer Hourly Pay in Salisbury, NC: $26.88 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a graphic designer working in Salisbury, NC runs $26.88 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $55,915 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 27-1024). Weighted against Salisbury's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.6, 6% below national), each hour of work buys what $28.72 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $33,551 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Salisbury, North Carolina, the median hourly pay for graphic designers is projected at $26.88 in 2026. This figure reflects a notable gap when compared with the national median hourly rate of $31.29, signifying a 14.08% decrease for local designers. For part-time or per-diem workers typically engaging in freelance tasks or collaborating within agency settings, this pay translates into approximately $2,197.44 monthly for a 3-day workweek. Hourly wages for graphic designers in Salisbury vary significantly based on experience and skill sets, running from $16.94 at the lower end for entry-level positions to as much as $41.66 for top earners. Many graphic designers find employment in a range of environments, such as fast-paced advertising agencies, corporate marketing teams, or creative freelance environments, leveraging tools like Adobe Creative Suite to meet client demands.
About the Salisbury Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($55,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Graphic Designer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $16.94 | $135.53 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $20.74 | $165.95 |
| Median (P50) | $26.88 | $215.07 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $33.80 | $270.39 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $41.66 | $333.32 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Salisbury
Based on $26.88/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $26.88/hr, a graphic designer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Salisbury, NC can expect to earn approximately $55,919 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $32,261. With a cost-of-living index of 93.60 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Salisbury.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Salisbury
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,075.36 | $4,660 | $55,919 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $645.21 | $2,796 | $33,551 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $430.14 | $1,864 | $22,367 |
Compare Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Graphic Designer (Salisbury) | $26.88 |
| 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 Salisbury, NC earn a median of $55,915 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.08% lower than the national median of $65,075 and 1.70% below the North Carolina state average of $56,882.
Graphic Designer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $26.88/hr = $33,551/year (purchasing power: $35,845).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $55,919/year (purchasing power: $59,742).
CoL index: 93.6 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$21.53/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$26.01/hr
2026 Current Est.
$26.88/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+29.1%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Graphic Designers in Salisbury (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.36% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $21.53/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $22.05/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $20.95/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $23.96/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $24.34/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $24.32/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $26.01/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $26.88/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $27.79/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for graphic designers in Salisbury grew 20.8% from $21.53/hr (2019) to $26.01/hr (2025). At a 3.36% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $27.79/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 Salisbury 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 Salisbury
A part-time graphic designer working three days a week (24 hours) in Salisbury could expect to take home around $33,089 annually, offering a steady income albeit significantly lower than full-time counterparts. Per-diem and contract designers in the area might seek higher billing rates, with hourly fees varying widely based on expertise; for example, per-diem graphic design pay in Salisbury can reach $50-$95 per hour, while specialists in brand design could command rates as high as $75-$150 per hour. Hourly earnings fluctuate depending on the employer type, with in-house corporate roles typically providing steadier hours and more consistent pay but often fewer creative challenges compared to agency work, which may offer a wider range of projects at lower starting salaries. Additionally, some designers accept reduced rates to access benefits like health insurance, balancing immediate financial considerations against longer-term security. In Salisbury, negotiation strategies emphasize the value of niche skills, such as motion graphics or brand identity design, influencing the hourly rate and overall compensation.
More salary data for Salisbury, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for graphic designers in Salisbury in 2026?
How much do part-time graphic designers make in Salisbury?
Are graphic designers in Salisbury paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time graphic designer make per year in Salisbury?
Do graphic designers earn more per hour working part-time in Salisbury?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in North Carolina
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 Salisbury. 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 Salisbury 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