Graphic Designer Salary in Kearney, NE: $57,339 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time graphic designer in Kearney, NE earns a median $57,339/year (≈ $27.57/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 27-1024). Once you factor in Kearney's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.5), that paycheck buys what $62,666 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.7% below the Nebraska state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Kearney, Nebraska, graphic designers can expect a median annual salary of $57,339 in 2026, which falls significantly below the national median of $65,075. The projected salary range in this city stretches from $38,758 at the 10th percentile to $88,875 at the 90th percentile, reflecting both entry-level and more experienced opportunities. This salary data, derived from estimates based on 2025 BLS state-level information and regional price adjustments, showcases a market where designers must navigate choices between in-house positions and agency roles. In-house environments often offer steadier pay and benefits, but agency work tends to provide broader project diversity and greater creative potential, influencing the overall job market for graphic designers in Kearney.
About the Kearney Market
Salary estimated from Nebraska average ($54,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38,758 | $18.64 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $46,311 | $22.26 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $57,339 | $27.57 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $73,394 | $35.29 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $88,875 | $42.73 |
Median Salary Position
11.89% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Kearney
In Kearney, NE, the graphic designer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $50,117 (2026 est.). At $57,339, the local median is 11.89% below the national median of $65,075.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Kearney: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Kearney Graphic Designer Pay Compares
Kearney median: $57,339/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Kearney Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Nebraska Average | $59,542 | -3.70% less |
| National Average | $65,075 | -11.89% less |
Graphic Designers in Kearney, NE earn a median of $57,339 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.89% lower than the national median of $65,075 and 3.70% below the Nebraska state average of $59,542.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Kearney has a cost of living 8.50% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Kearney, NE has a cost-of-living index of 91.5 (below the national average of 100). A graphic designer earning $57,339 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $62,666 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.29% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$45,915
2025 BLS Actual
$55,475
2026 Current Est.
$57,339
2019–2027 Growth
+29.1%
Salary Trajectory for Graphic Designers in Kearney (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.36% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $45,915 | Actual |
| 2020 | $47,034 | Actual |
| 2021 | $44,681 | Actual |
| 2022 | $51,096 | Actual |
| 2023 | $51,906 | Actual |
| 2024 | $47,581 | Actual |
| 2025 | $55,475 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $57,339 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $59,266 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Kearney metropolitan area, the median graphic designer salary grew 20.8% from $45,915 (2019) to $55,475 (2025). At a 3.36% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $59,266 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,351 (29.08%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Kearney 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) | $38,758 – $46,311 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $46,311 – $57,339 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $57,339 – $73,394 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $73,394 – $88,875 |
salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual graphic designer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Graphic Designer Job Market in Kearney
Kearney's job market currently employs just nine graphic designers, highlighting a somewhat limited local pool. With a cost-of-living index of 91.5, living expenses are lower than the national average, giving residents potentially greater purchasing power from their salaries. Traditional employers with the highest graphic designer pay in Kearney typically include corporate marketing teams, especially in sectors like finance and consumer packaged goods. However, specialties such as motion graphics and brand identity can command higher compensation, especially in agency settings where top-tier firms may pay a premium for creative directors. To maximize earnings, designers should focus on building a robust portfolio that demonstrates specialized skills, consider freelance opportunities strategically, and be prepared to negotiate compensation based on their experience and expertise.
More salary data for Kearney, NE:
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 $55,475 for graphic designersin the Kearney 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 Kearney 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