Graphic Designer Salary in Forest Grove, OR: $58,500 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time graphic designer in Forest Grove, OR earns a median $58,500/year (≈ $28.12/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 27-1024). Once you factor in Forest Grove's price level (3% above national, BEA RPP 102.6), that paycheck buys what $57,018 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.4% below the Oregon state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, graphic designer salaries in Forest Grove, Oregon, are projected to reach a median annual figure of $58,500, reflecting a notable 10.10% difference when compared nationally, where the median stands at $65,075. The local pay scale ranges from an entry-level salary of $36,293 (P10) to an impressive $90,675 (P90) for more experienced designers. These estimates are derived from 2025 BLS state-level data and adjusted for regional cost factors, such as the higher living expenses indicated by a cost-of-living index of 102.6, which suggests that wages may need to be competitive to retain talent. This local job market has a small pool of graphic designers, emphasizing the importance of agency versus in-house employment choices.
About the Forest Grove Market
Salary estimated from Oregon average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $36,293 | $17.45 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $44,666 | $21.48 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $58,500 | $28.12 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $74,317 | $35.73 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $90,675 | $43.60 |
Median Salary Position
10.1% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Forest Grove
In Forest Grove, OR, the graphic designer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $54,382 (2026 est.). At $58,500, the local median is 10.1% below the national median of $65,075.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Forest Grove: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Forest Grove Graphic Designer Pay Compares
Forest Grove median: $58,500/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Forest Grove Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Oregon Average | $59,938 | -2.40% less |
| National Average | $65,075 | -10.10% less |
Graphic Designers in Forest Grove, OR earn a median of $58,500 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.10% lower than the national median of $65,075 and 2.40% below the Oregon state average of $59,938.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Forest Grove has a cost of living 2.60% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Forest Grove, OR has a cost-of-living index of 102.6 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $58,500 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $57,018 — a 2.53% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$46,844
2025 BLS Actual
$56,598
2026 Current Est.
$58,500
2019–2027 Growth
+29.1%
Salary Trajectory for Graphic Designers in Forest Grove (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.36% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $46,844 | Actual |
| 2020 | $47,986 | Actual |
| 2021 | $45,586 | Actual |
| 2022 | $52,130 | Actual |
| 2023 | $52,957 | Actual |
| 2024 | $62,106 | Actual |
| 2025 | $56,598 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $58,500 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $60,465 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Forest Grove metropolitan area, the median graphic designer salary grew 20.8% from $46,844 (2019) to $56,598 (2025). At a 3.36% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $60,465 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,621 (29.08%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Forest Grove 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) | $36,293 – $44,666 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $44,666 – $58,500 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $58,500 – $74,317 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $74,317 – $90,675 |
salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual graphic designer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Graphic Designer Job Market in Forest Grove
Four graphic designers are currently employed in Forest Grove, indicating limited job opportunities in this niche sector. Given the higher-than-average cost of living, which affects take-home purchasing power, individuals must consider various avenues to maximize their salaries. While in-house corporate marketing teams may provide steadier pay and benefits, agencies can offer a broader range of projects and potentially higher ceilings in compensation, especially for specialized positions in motion graphics or brand identity. The disparity in earnings is driven by factors such as specialty skills, employer tier, and portfolio strength, making it advantageous for designers to focus on building a strong, diverse portfolio while also considering freelance opportunities for higher pay on a project basis. Exploring creative roles in sectors like finance or consumer packaged goods may also yield better compensation compared to general retail, adding another layer to how much graphic designers make in Forest Grove.
More salary data for Forest Grove, OR:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Related Pages
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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 $56,598 for graphic designersin the Forest Grove 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 Forest Grove 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