Graphic Designer Hourly Pay in College Station, TX: $25.11 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a graphic designer working in College Station, TX runs $25.11 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $52,228 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 27-1024). Weighted against College Station's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.0, 9% below national), each hour of work buys what $27.60 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $31,332 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In College Station, the graphic designer hourly pay stands at a median of $25.11, which is notably lower than the national hourly median of $31.29. This disparity highlights the local cost of living and the varying demand for design talent within the region. Part-time positions, which are common among designers working three days a week, can yield a consistent income, though their earnings do not approach what full-time roles provide. In this profession, entry-level designers may earn around $17.67 per hour, while experienced professionals, particularly those specializing in niche areas, can see rates climb to approximately $39.75. The BLS figures reinforce that while College Station’s design market offers opportunities, the compensation may not match what one might find in larger metropolitan areas.
Graphic Designer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $17.67 | $141.40 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $22.17 | $177.37 |
| Median (P50) | $25.11 | $200.85 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $31.77 | $254.18 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $39.75 | $318.02 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in College Station
Based on $25.11/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $25.11/hr, a graphic designer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in College Station, TX can expect to earn approximately $52,221 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $30,127. With a cost-of-living index of 90.95 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in College Station.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in College Station
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,004.25 | $4,352 | $52,221 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $602.55 | $2,611 | $31,332 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $401.70 | $1,741 | $20,888 |
Compare Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Graphic Designer (College Station) | $25.11 |
| 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 College Station, TX earn a median of $52,228 per year (2026 est.), which is 19.74% lower than the national median of $65,075 and 5.00% above the Texas state average of $49,741.
Graphic Designer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $25.11/hr = $31,332/year (purchasing power: $34,450).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $52,221/year (purchasing power: $57,416).
CoL index: 90.951 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$22.46/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$24.29/hr
2026 Current Est.
$25.11/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+15.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Graphic Designers in College Station (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.36% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $22.46/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $21.86/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $18.87/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $22.65/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $19.81/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $22.99/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $24.29/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $25.11/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $25.95/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for graphic designers in College Station grew 8.1% from $22.46/hr (2019) to $24.29/hr (2025). At a 3.36% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $25.95/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 College Station 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 College Station
For those considering part-time work as graphic designers, a schedule of 24 hours per week would translate into an annual income significantly less than what full-time designers achieve. While a per-diem graphic designer may command an hourly rate of $50 to $95, suggesting substantial earning potential for flexible work, many contract roles are dictated by project scope and client needs. Additionally, compensation can fluctuate considerably based on the employer type. In-house designers at companies like banks or retailers often enjoy steadier pay and benefits, while those in agencies may receive lower hourly rates but gain experience across diverse projects. Freelance work presents its own set of challenges; while it allows for creative freedom, designers often navigate price competition from platforms that commodify their work. For graphic designers exploring job offers, understanding one's worth, negotiating effectively, and weighing benefits against hourly pay are critical for making informed decisions in College Station's design market.
More salary data for College Station, TX:
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 College Station. 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