Graphic Designer Salary in Gulfport, MS: $49,489 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time graphic designer in Gulfport, MS earns a median $49,489/year (≈ $23.79/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 27-1024). Once you factor in Gulfport's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.0), that paycheck buys what $54,984 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 11.3% below the Mississippi state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Gulfport, Mississippi, graphic designers can expect a median annual salary of $49,489 in 2026, trailing the national median by a notable margin. The salary range for this role varies significantly, starting from $36,962 at the lower end to $96,786 for the top earners, indicating a broad spectrum of opportunities within the local market. These figures are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026. Designers in Gulfport may find that their compensation fluctuates based on their choice to work in an agency versus an in-house corporate environment, with agency positions typically offering a creative breadth that can lead to higher earning potential.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $36,962 | $17.77 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $44,776 | $21.53 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $49,489 | $23.79 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $66,429 | $31.94 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $96,786 | $46.53 |
Median Salary Position
23.95% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Gulfport
In Gulfport, MS, the graphic designer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $59,824 (2026 est.). At $49,489, the local median is 23.95% below the national median of $65,075.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Gulfport: You'd be in the entry-level range
How Gulfport Graphic Designer Pay Compares
Gulfport median: $49,489/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Gulfport Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Mississippi Average | $55,793 | -11.30% less |
| National Average | $65,075 | -23.95% less |
Graphic Designers in Gulfport, MS earn a median of $49,489 per year (2026 est.), which is 23.95% lower than the national median of $65,075 and 11.30% below the Mississippi state average of $55,793.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Gulfport has a cost of living 9.99% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Gulfport, MS has a cost-of-living index of 90.006 (below the national average of 100). A graphic designer earning $49,489 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $54,984 in an average-cost city — an effective 11.1% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$29,940
2025 BLS Actual
$47,880
2026 Current Est.
$49,489
2019–2027 Growth
+70.8%
Salary Trajectory for Graphic Designers in Gulfport (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.36% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $29,940 | Actual |
| 2020 | $29,760 | Actual |
| 2021 | $38,450 | Actual |
| 2022 | $47,460 | Actual |
| 2023 | $49,280 | Actual |
| 2024 | $46,020 | Actual |
| 2025 | $47,880 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $49,489 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $51,152 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Gulfport metropolitan area, the median graphic designer salary grew 59.9% from $29,940 (2019) to $47,880 (2025). At a 3.36% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $51,152 by 2027 — a total increase of $21,212 (70.85%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Gulfport 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) | $36,962 – $44,776 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $44,776 – $49,489 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $49,489 – $66,429 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $66,429 – $96,786 |
salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual graphic designer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Graphic Designer Job Market in Gulfport
A total of 90 graphic designers are employed within Gulfport, a number that reflects a steady market presence for this profession. The cost of living index in the area, which stands at 90.006, suggests that while salaries might not match national levels, they allow for a reasonable standard of living. Among local employers, in-house corporate marketing teams for banks and consumer packaged goods companies often provide the most lucrative opportunities, compared to advertising agencies, which may emphasize creativity over pay initially. Factors influencing salary variation include specialty areas, such as motion graphics and brand identity, which command higher pay due to demand, reputation of the agency, and individual portfolio strength. For designers looking to increase their earnings, focusing on building a versatile portfolio, gaining specialized skills in high-demand areas, and considering freelance opportunities for premium clients will be crucial strategies in the Gulfport market.
More salary data for Gulfport, MS:
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 $47,880 for graphic designersin the Gulfport 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