Graphic Designer Salary in Raytown, MO: $49,474 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time graphic designer in Raytown, MO earns a median $49,474/year (≈ $23.78/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 27-1024). Once you factor in Raytown's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 89.6), that paycheck buys what $55,217 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.5% below the Missouri state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Raytown, Missouri, the projected median annual salary for graphic designers in 2026 is estimated at $49,474, which reflects a substantial difference compared to the national average of $65,075. The local salary range spans from $33,788 at the 10th percentile to $76,685 at the 90th percentile, which indicates significant earning potential for those who specialize, particularly in motion graphics and brand identity—areas that attract higher compensation. These figures are derived from state-level BLS data, adjusted for regional economic factors, suggesting that while Raytown might present a lower median than the national average, there are opportunities for talented designers to carve out lucrative positions with the right qualifications and niche expertise within the local market.
About the Raytown Market
Salary estimated from Missouri average ($54,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $33,788 | $16.25 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $40,099 | $19.28 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $49,474 | $23.78 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $63,327 | $30.45 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $76,685 | $36.87 |
Median Salary Position
23.97% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Raytown
In Raytown, MO, the graphic designer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $42,897 (2026 est.). At $49,474, the local median is 23.97% below the national median of $65,075.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Raytown: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Raytown Graphic Designer Pay Compares
Raytown median: $49,474/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Raytown Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Missouri Average | $51,269 | -3.50% less |
| National Average | $65,075 | -23.97% less |
Graphic Designers in Raytown, MO earn a median of $49,474 per year (2026 est.), which is 23.97% lower than the national median of $65,075 and 3.50% below the Missouri state average of $51,269.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Raytown has a cost of living 10.40% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Raytown, MO has a cost-of-living index of 89.6 (below the national average of 100). A graphic designer earning $49,474 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $55,217 in an average-cost city — an effective 11.61% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$39,617
2025 BLS Actual
$47,866
2026 Current Est.
$49,474
2019–2027 Growth
+29.1%
Salary Trajectory for Graphic Designers in Raytown (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.36% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $39,617 | Actual |
| 2020 | $40,583 | Actual |
| 2021 | $38,553 | Actual |
| 2022 | $44,088 | Actual |
| 2023 | $44,787 | Actual |
| 2024 | $46,702 | Actual |
| 2025 | $47,866 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $49,474 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $51,137 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Raytown metropolitan area, the median graphic designer salary grew 20.8% from $39,617 (2019) to $47,866 (2025). At a 3.36% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $51,137 by 2027 — a total increase of $11,520 (29.08%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Raytown 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) | $33,788 – $40,099 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $40,099 – $49,474 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $49,474 – $63,327 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $63,327 – $76,685 |
salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual graphic designer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Graphic Designer Job Market in Raytown
In terms of employment, Raytown currently hosts four graphic designers, a figure that highlights a relatively modest but stable local job market. The cost-of-living index in Raytown stands at 89.6, which is below the national average; this lower cost of living helps enhance the purchasing power of graphic designer pay in Raytown, MO. Among local employers, the highest salaries are typically found within corporate marketing teams in sectors such as banking, consumer packaged goods, and finance. The disparity in pay often arises from the specialization within design—those with strong portfolios and expertise in high-demand areas like motion graphics generally command higher wages than their peers engaged in more generalized design work. For designers seeking to maximize their income, pursuing specialties, diversifying their portfolios, and considering freelance opportunities can be effective strategies, especially in a market where agency work tends to offer broader opportunities for growth and innovation.
More salary data for Raytown, MO:
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 $47,866 for graphic designersin the Raytown 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 Raytown 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