Graphic Designer Salary in Colorado Springs, CO: $62,833 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time graphic designer in Colorado Springs, CO earns a median $62,833/year (≈ $30.20/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 27-1024). Once you factor in Colorado Springs's price level (1% above national, BEA RPP 100.7), that paycheck buys what $62,392 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.0% below the Colorado state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Colorado Springs, the projected median annual salary for graphic designers in 2026 is $62,833, reflecting a slight decline of 3.45% compared to the national median of $65,075. The salary range spans from $45,975 at the lower end (P10) to an impressive $106,740 for top earners (P90). These figures, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data, highlight the local market's potential, particularly for those specializing in high-demand areas such as motion graphics and brand identity. Such specialties often command a higher pay premium, encouraging designers to cultivate expertise in these sought-after fields. With around 400 graphic designers currently employed in the area, Colorado Springs exhibits a steady demand for creative talent, offering promising opportunities for both emerging and seasoned professionals.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $45,975 | $22.11 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $50,956 | $24.50 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $62,833 | $30.20 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $82,523 | $39.68 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $106,740 | $51.32 |
Median Salary Position
3.45% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Colorado Springs
In Colorado Springs, CO, the graphic designer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $60,765 (2026 est.). At $62,833, the local median is 3.45% below the national median of $65,075.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Colorado Springs: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Colorado Springs Graphic Designer Pay Compares
Colorado Springs median: $62,833/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Colorado Springs Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Colorado Average | $64,115 | -2.00% less |
| National Average | $65,075 | -3.45% less |
Graphic Designers in Colorado Springs, CO earn a median of $62,833 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.45% lower than the national median of $65,075 and 2.00% below the Colorado state average of $64,115.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Colorado Springs has a cost of living 0.71% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Colorado Springs, CO has a cost-of-living index of 100.707 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $62,833 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $62,392 — a 0.7% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$51,290
2025 BLS Actual
$60,790
2026 Current Est.
$62,833
2019–2027 Growth
+26.6%
Salary Trajectory for Graphic Designers in Colorado Springs (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.36% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $51,290 | Actual |
| 2020 | $48,640 | Actual |
| 2021 | $48,940 | Actual |
| 2022 | $51,920 | Actual |
| 2023 | $56,930 | Actual |
| 2024 | $58,500 | Actual |
| 2025 | $60,790 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $62,833 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $64,944 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Colorado Springs metropolitan area, the median graphic designer salary grew 18.5% from $51,290 (2019) to $60,790 (2025). At a 3.36% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $64,944 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,654 (26.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Colorado Springs 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $45,975 – $50,956 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $50,956 – $62,833 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $62,833 – $82,523 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $82,523 – $106,740 |
salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual graphic designer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Graphic Designer Job Market in Colorado Springs
The graphic designer job market in Colorado Springs reflects a blend of competitive salaries and a cost of living index slightly above the national average at 100.707. For many designers, this means understanding how to maximize their take-home pay in a place where the local hiring landscape includes in-house corporate marketing teams, which tend to offer consistency and benefits, alongside thriving advertising agencies known for delivering higher compensation to top-tier talent. Salary disparities in this field can largely be attributed to specialization, with roles in motion graphics and brand identity typically yielding higher wages compared to more general graphic design positions. Furthermore, working for leading agencies can elevate pay dramatically for creative directors, whereas freelancers may find their earnings tied to project-based rates, often influenced by their portfolios. To enhance their earnings potential in Colorado Springs, aspiring designers should focus on strengthening their skills with Adobe Creative Suite, positioning themselves effectively in the agency environment, or building a robust freelance portfolio to attract premium projects.
More salary data for Colorado Springs, CO:
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
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $60,790 for graphic designersin the Colorado Springs metropolitan area. A 3.36% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
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