Graphic Designer Hourly Pay in Wilmington, NC: $27.19 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a graphic designer working in Wilmington, NC runs $27.19 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $56,559 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 27-1024). Weighted against Wilmington's regional price level (BEA RPP 96.4, 4% below national), each hour of work buys what $28.20 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $33,938 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Wilmington, North Carolina, the graphic designer hourly pay is projected to reach a median rate of $27.19 for 2026, which positions it notably below the national median of $31.29. This differential in hourly compensation can influence a graphic designer's decision to work part-time or freelance. For example, a designer working three days a week typically carries the flexibility of a per-diem lifestyle in various settings, from dynamic agency studios to in-house marketing departments and even remote collaboration environments utilizing Adobe and Figma. The hourly earning potential varies significantly, ranging from $19.78 for entry-level positions to as high as $45.78 for top earners, reflecting the diverse opportunities within the city's design ecosystem, supported by the official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data.
Graphic Designer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $19.78 | $158.26 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $24.05 | $192.41 |
| Median (P50) | $27.19 | $217.55 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $36.40 | $291.23 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $45.78 | $366.23 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Wilmington
Based on $27.19/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $27.19/hr, a graphic designer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Wilmington, NC can expect to earn approximately $56,564 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $32,633. With a cost-of-living index of 96.42 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Wilmington.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Wilmington
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,087.76 | $4,714 | $56,564 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $652.66 | $2,828 | $33,938 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $435.10 | $1,885 | $22,625 |
Compare Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Graphic Designer (Wilmington) | $27.19 |
| 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 Wilmington, NC earn a median of $56,559 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.09% lower than the national median of $65,075 and 0.60% below the North Carolina state average of $56,900.
Graphic Designer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $27.19/hr = $33,938/year (purchasing power: $35,197).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $56,564/year (purchasing power: $58,662).
CoL index: 96.422 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$20.50/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$26.31/hr
2026 Current Est.
$27.19/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+37.1%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Graphic Designers in Wilmington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.36% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $20.50/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $25.07/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $23.44/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $24.29/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $23.63/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $22.77/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $26.31/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $27.19/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $28.11/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for graphic designers in Wilmington grew 28.3% from $20.50/hr (2019) to $26.31/hr (2025). At a 3.36% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $28.11/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 Wilmington 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 Wilmington
Considering the part-time earning potential, a designer working 24 hours weekly (3 days) could generate approximately $42,000 annually, a stark contrast to full-time counterparts earning significantly more. The per-diem graphic designer pay in Wilmington often sees professionals billing anywhere from $50 to $95 per hour, with senior roles such as brand designers commanding rates between $75 and $150 per hour. Motion graphics specialists can demand upwards of $100 to $180 hourly, while project fees for freelance brand identity work can range from $3,000 to $30,000 depending on project scope. Hourly rates fluctuate based on employer type, with in-house positions typically providing steadier pay and health benefits, contrasting with the often higher but non-benefited pay from agencies and freelance opportunities. For those negotiating their rates, understanding these dynamics and being transparent about one's skill set can safeguard better compensation tailored to industry and project demands in Wilmington.
More salary data for Wilmington, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Related Pages
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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 Wilmington. 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