Graphic Designer Salary in Akron, OH: $60,424 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time graphic designer in Akron, OH earns a median $60,424/year (≈ $29.05/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 27-1024). Once you factor in Akron's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.4), that paycheck buys what $64,715 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.0% above the Ohio state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Akron, Ohio, graphic designers can expect a median annual salary of $60,424 in 2026, which is slightly lower than the national median of $65,075. This city's salary range for designers spans from $40,031 at the 10th percentile to $90,874 at the 90th percentile, illustrating a notable variance in compensation based on expertise and employment type. This data, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS reports and projected into 2026, provides a clear snapshot of what graphic designers can earn within the local market. Those working in large advertising agencies or specialized design firms tend to earn more, while in-house positions might offer steadier pay but often at a lower average rate due to the narrower scope of work.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $40,031 | $19.25 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $47,246 | $22.72 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $60,424 | $29.05 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $77,437 | $37.23 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $90,874 | $43.69 |
Median Salary Position
7.15% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Akron
In Akron, OH, the graphic designer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $50,843 (2026 est.). At $60,424, the local median is 7.15% below the national median of $65,075.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Akron: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Akron Graphic Designer Pay Compares
Akron median: $60,424/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Akron Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Ohio Average | $57,004 | +6.00% more |
| National Average | $65,075 | -7.15% less |
Graphic Designers in Akron, OH earn a median of $60,424 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.15% lower than the national median of $65,075 and 6.00% above the Ohio state average of $57,004.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Akron has a cost of living 6.63% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Akron, OH has a cost-of-living index of 93.37 (below the national average of 100). A graphic designer earning $60,424 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $64,715 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.1% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$46,030
2025 BLS Actual
$58,460
2026 Current Est.
$60,424
2019–2027 Growth
+35.7%
Salary Trajectory for Graphic Designers in Akron (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.36% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $46,030 | Actual |
| 2020 | $47,200 | Actual |
| 2021 | $48,890 | Actual |
| 2022 | $48,120 | Actual |
| 2023 | $49,110 | Actual |
| 2024 | $54,900 | Actual |
| 2025 | $58,460 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $60,424 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $62,455 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Akron metropolitan area, the median graphic designer salary grew 27.0% from $46,030 (2019) to $58,460 (2025). At a 3.36% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $62,455 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,425 (35.68%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Akron 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) | $40,031 – $47,246 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $47,246 – $60,424 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $60,424 – $77,437 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $77,437 – $90,874 |
salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual graphic designer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Graphic Designer Job Market in Akron
In Akron, there are approximately 360 graphic designers currently employed, highlighting a growing job market bolstered by a cost of living index of 93.37, which suggests that salaries stretch further compared to national averages. Major employers in the region include corporate marketing teams within banks and retailers, which may pay competitively for in-house roles, while advertising firms could attract talent with higher pay ceilings and broader project scopes. The differences in pay often reflect specialty areas, such as motion graphics and brand identity, which command higher rates than general graphic design roles. For designers looking to increase their earnings, focusing on developing niche skills or targeting higher-tier agencies may provide advantageous returns. Building a strong portfolio that showcases versatility and specialized expertise can be essential in unlocking better opportunities in Akron’s competitive graphic designer pay landscape.
More salary data for Akron, OH:
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 $58,460 for graphic designersin the Akron 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