Graphic Designer Salary in Albany, OR: $57,106 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time graphic designer in Albany, OR earns a median $57,106/year (≈ $27.45/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 27-1024). Once you factor in Albany's price level (2% above national, BEA RPP 102.1), that paycheck buys what $55,931 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.7% below the Oregon state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Albany, Oregon, the 2026 median annual salary for graphic designers reaches $57,106, reflecting a specialization premium often associated with roles in motion graphics and brand identity. Salaries within the local market span a range from $38,543 at the lower 10th percentile to $79,649 at the 90th percentile. These figures are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, and suggest a promising landscape for design professionals seeking to capitalize on specialized skill sets. While Albany's pay might lag behind the national median of $65,075 by approximately 12.25%, the city's smaller market gives designers the opportunity to build strong connections and reputations, particularly among local businesses and creative agencies.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38,543 | $18.53 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $48,000 | $23.08 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $57,106 | $27.45 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $66,285 | $31.87 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $79,649 | $38.29 |
Median Salary Position
12.25% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Albany
In Albany, OR, the graphic designer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $41,106 (2026 est.). At $57,106, the local median is 12.25% below the national median of $65,075.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Albany: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Albany Graphic Designer Pay Compares
Albany median: $57,106/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Albany Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Oregon Average | $59,923 | -4.70% less |
| National Average | $65,075 | -12.25% less |
Graphic Designers in Albany, OR earn a median of $57,106 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.25% lower than the national median of $65,075 and 4.70% below the Oregon state average of $59,923.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Albany has a cost of living 2.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Albany, OR has a cost-of-living index of 102.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $57,106 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $55,931 — a 2.06% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$45,729
2025 BLS Actual
$55,250
2026 Current Est.
$57,106
2019–2027 Growth
+29.1%
Salary Trajectory for Graphic Designers in Albany (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.36% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $45,729 | Actual |
| 2020 | $46,843 | Actual |
| 2021 | $40,210 | Actual |
| 2022 | $50,889 | Actual |
| 2023 | $50,970 | Actual |
| 2024 | $59,760 | Actual |
| 2025 | $55,250 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $57,106 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $59,025 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Albany metropolitan area, the median graphic designer salary grew 20.8% from $45,729 (2019) to $55,250 (2025). At a 3.36% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $59,025 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,296 (29.08%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Albany 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) | $38,543 – $48,000 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $48,000 – $57,106 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $57,106 – $66,285 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $66,285 – $79,649 |
salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual graphic designer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Graphic Designer Job Market in Albany
With around 40 graphic designers currently employed in Albany, the job market shows some stability, but the cost-of-living index at 102.1 indicates that living expenses are higher than the national average, which can affect purchasing power. Employers in Albany offering competitive pay include in-house corporate marketing teams in industries such as banking, retail, and consumer packaged goods, alongside advertising and branding agencies. The disparity between low and high salaries often hinges on the type of agency and the designer's specialty; those skilled in motion graphics or working for top-tier agencies can command significantly higher compensation. To maximize pay, designers should aim to build robust portfolios showcasing their specialties, consider freelance opportunities where they can set project rates, and target higher-tier employers that value creative excellence and innovation in design.
More salary data for Albany, OR:
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 $55,250 for graphic designersin the Albany 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, 4-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