Graphic Designer Salary in Junction City, KS: $55,784 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time graphic designer in Junction City, KS earns a median $55,784/year (≈ $26.82/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 27-1024). Once you factor in Junction City's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 90.9), that paycheck buys what $61,369 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.7% below the Kansas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Junction City, Kansas, graphic designers can expect a median annual salary of $55,784 in 2026, which reflects a significant premium for those specializing in motion graphics and brand identity. The full salary range for this occupation varies widely from $35,401 at the 10th percentile to $86,466 at the 90th percentile. These figures, derived from state-level data and regional cost adjustments, position Junction City as a more affordable option compared to the national median salary of $65,075, indicating a gap of approximately 14.28%. This local market exhibits a steady demand for skilled designers, particularly as businesses seek to enhance their visual branding in today’s competitive climate.
About the Junction City Market
Salary estimated from Kansas average ($52,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $35,401 | $17.02 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $46,492 | $22.36 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $55,784 | $26.82 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $71,404 | $34.33 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $86,466 | $41.57 |
Median Salary Position
14.28% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Junction City
In Junction City, KS, the graphic designer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $51,065 (2026 est.). At $55,784, the local median is 14.28% below the national median of $65,075.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Junction City: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Junction City Graphic Designer Pay Compares
Junction City median: $55,784/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Junction City Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Kansas Average | $59,156 | -5.70% less |
| National Average | $65,075 | -14.28% less |
Graphic Designers in Junction City, KS earn a median of $55,784 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.28% lower than the national median of $65,075 and 5.70% below the Kansas state average of $59,156.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Junction City has a cost of living 9.10% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Junction City, KS has a cost-of-living index of 90.9 (below the national average of 100). A graphic designer earning $55,784 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $61,369 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.01% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$44,670
2025 BLS Actual
$53,971
2026 Current Est.
$55,784
2019–2027 Growth
+29.1%
Salary Trajectory for Graphic Designers in Junction City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.36% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $44,670 | Actual |
| 2020 | $45,759 | Actual |
| 2021 | $43,470 | Actual |
| 2022 | $49,711 | Actual |
| 2023 | $50,499 | Actual |
| 2024 | $44,576 | Actual |
| 2025 | $53,971 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $55,784 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $57,659 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Junction City metropolitan area, the median graphic designer salary grew 20.8% from $44,670 (2019) to $53,971 (2025). At a 3.36% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $57,659 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,989 (29.08%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Junction City 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) | $35,401 – $46,492 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $46,492 – $55,784 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $55,784 – $71,404 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $71,404 – $86,466 |
salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual graphic designer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Graphic Designer Job Market in Junction City
With only six graphic designers currently employed in Junction City, the local job market appears concentrated but holds potential for growth, as evidenced by an annual growth rate of 3.36% projected for five years. Residents benefit from a lower cost-of-living index of 90.9, enhancing their purchasing power in relation to salaries earned. The highest-paying opportunities in the region often arise within in-house corporate marketing teams, especially in sectors like finance and consumer packaged goods, which tend to offer more stable pay compared to advertising agencies that can feature significant pay variability linked to project complexity and client budgets. The disparity between earnings can also be influenced by portfolio strength, the level of specialization in sought-after fields, and the shift toward freelance or contract-based work that may command premium rates. For graphic designers looking to maximize their pay in Junction City, focusing on developing a strong body of work in high-demand specialties and leveraging networking within local industries could yield substantial benefits.
More salary data for Junction City, KS:
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 $53,971 for graphic designersin the Junction City 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
Salary data for Junction City 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