Graphic Designer Salary in St. Joseph, MO: $51,360 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time graphic designer in St. Joseph, MO earns a median $51,360/year (≈ $24.69/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 27-1024). Once you factor in St. Joseph's price level (14% below national, BEA RPP 86.4), that paycheck buys what $59,457 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.2% above the Missouri state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In St. Joseph, MO, graphic designer salaries demonstrate a notable divergence from the national averages, with the median annual compensation projected at $51,360 by 2026. This figure reflects a competitive yet modest pay scale, especially when contrasted with the national median of $65,075. The salary range spans from $35,587 at the lower end (P10) to $75,804 for top earners (P90), highlighting opportunities for both entry-level positions and more experienced roles. Based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, this salary overview indicates that graphic design work in St. Joseph may appeal to those looking for a versatile career path, balancing opportunities between in-house corporate roles and agency positions.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $35,587 | $17.11 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $42,150 | $20.27 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $51,360 | $24.69 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $61,675 | $29.65 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $75,804 | $36.44 |
Median Salary Position
21.08% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in St. Joseph
In St. Joseph, MO, the graphic designer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $40,217 (2026 est.). At $51,360, the local median is 21.08% below the national median of $65,075.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in St. Joseph: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How St. Joseph Graphic Designer Pay Compares
St. Joseph median: $51,360/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | St. Joseph Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Missouri Average | $51,257 | +0.20% more |
| National Average | $65,075 | -21.08% less |
Graphic Designers in St. Joseph, MO earn a median of $51,360 per year (2026 est.), which is 21.08% lower than the national median of $65,075 and 0.20% above the Missouri state average of $51,257.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
St. Joseph has a cost of living 13.62% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
St. Joseph, MO has a cost-of-living index of 86.382 (below the national average of 100). A graphic designer earning $51,360 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $59,457 in an average-cost city — an effective 15.77% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$34,640
2025 BLS Actual
$49,690
2026 Current Est.
$51,360
2019–2027 Growth
+53.2%
Salary Trajectory for Graphic Designers in St. Joseph (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.36% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $34,640 | Actual |
| 2020 | $44,470 | Actual |
| 2021 | $45,250 | Actual |
| 2022 | $38,050 | Actual |
| 2023 | $44,910 | Actual |
| 2024 | $49,230 | Actual |
| 2025 | $49,690 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $51,360 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $53,085 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the St. Joseph metropolitan area, the median graphic designer salary grew 43.4% from $34,640 (2019) to $49,690 (2025). At a 3.36% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $53,085 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,445 (53.25%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the St. Joseph 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) | $35,587 – $42,150 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $42,150 – $51,360 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $51,360 – $61,675 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $61,675 – $75,804 |
salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual graphic designer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Graphic Designer Job Market in St. Joseph
With approximately 80 graphic designers employed in the area, the job market in St. Joseph remains stable, supported by a cost-of-living index of 86.382, which is below the national average. This favorable index can translate to better purchasing power for those earning graphic designer pay in St. Joseph MO compared to higher-cost cities. Employers in sectors like corporate marketing teams—or industries such as finance and consumer packaged goods—tend to offer the most competitive salaries. The wide pay spectrum can often be attributed to the type of role, with specialties like motion graphics and brand identity fetching higher rates compared to general graphic design. Moreover, with various freelance opportunities available, designers can further maximize earnings through individual contracts and higher project rates. Focusing on building a strong portfolio and pursuing specialized skills could ultimately enhance earning potential within this local market.
More salary data for St. Joseph, 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 $49,690 for graphic designersin the St. Joseph 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