Graphic Designer Hourly Pay in Nashville, TN: $30.01 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a graphic designer working in Nashville, TN runs $30.01 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $62,398 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 27-1024). Weighted against Nashville's regional price level (BEA RPP 96.3, 4% below national), each hour of work buys what $31.15 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $37,447 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Nashville, the graphic designer hourly pay stands at a median of $30.01, which is slightly below the national median hourly rate of $31.29. This figure reflects the standard earnings that many professionals can expect in various settings such as agency studios, corporate marketing departments, and home offices. For part-time designers working around three days a week, this hourly rate could yield around $624 per week based on a 24-hour schedule, translating to approximately $32,448 annually. Entry-level positions might start at around $21.47 per hour, while more experienced designers can command up to $47.64 an hour, making it a profession with a broad spectrum of earning potential in Nashville.
Graphic Designer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $21.47 | $171.74 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $24.75 | $198.04 |
| Median (P50) | $30.01 | $240.04 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $38.48 | $307.85 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $47.64 | $381.11 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Nashville
Based on $30.01/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $30.01/hr, a graphic designer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Nashville, TN 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 96.34 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Nashville.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Nashville
| 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 (Nashville) | $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 Nashville, TN earn a median of $62,398 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.11% lower than the national median of $65,075 and 15.20% above the Tennessee state average of $54,165.
Graphic Designer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $30.01/hr = $37,447/year (purchasing power: $38,870).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $62,411/year (purchasing power: $64,784).
CoL index: 96.338 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$25.72/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$29.03/hr
2026 Current Est.
$30.01/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+20.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Graphic Designers in Nashville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.36% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $25.72/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $24.15/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $23.40/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $24.34/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $23.88/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $25.62/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 Nashville grew 12.9% from $25.72/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 Nashville 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 Nashville
For those considering part-time opportunities or contract work, the financial landscape shifts significantly. A graphic designer working part-time might find their annual income considerably lower than full-time counterparts, making the freelance and per-diem graphic designer pay in Nashville an attractive alternative for higher earnings. Contract designers often charge between $50 and $95 per hour, with specialists in motion graphics and brand identity earning premiums up to $180 per hour. Employment settings will further impact wages; in-house teams at larger corporations tend to offer steadier pay and benefits, while advertising agencies can provide a more varied project experience yet lower base pay. Designers should consider negotiating hourly rates depending on the job scope and employer type, maximizing returns on specialized skills with platforms where graphic design rates are more competitive.
More salary data for Nashville, TN:
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 Nashville. 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