Graphic Designer Salary in Nashville, TN: $62,398 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time graphic designer in Nashville, TN earns a median $62,398/year (≈ $30.01/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 27-1024). Once you factor in Nashville's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 96.3), that paycheck buys what $64,770 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 15.2% above the Tennessee state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Nashville, TN, graphic designers earn a median annual salary of $62,398, which reflects a competitive market compared to the national median of $65,075. The projected salary range spans from $44,652 at the 10th percentile to $99,102 at the 90th percentile, indicating a diverse array of earning potential based on experience and skill level. Data derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, projected to 2026, highlight both the opportunities and challenges within the local graphic design field. As freelancers increasingly establish their day rates based on project complexity and client demand, this dynamic is shaping the local economy, suggesting that Nashville's design community is growing and fluid, with room for strategic career advancement.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $44,652 | $21.47 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $51,484 | $24.75 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $62,398 | $30.01 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $80,042 | $38.48 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $99,102 | $47.64 |
Median Salary Position
4.11% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Nashville
In Nashville, TN, the graphic designer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $54,450 (2026 est.). At $62,398, the local median is 4.11% below the national median of $65,075.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Nashville: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Nashville Graphic Designer Pay Compares
Nashville median: $62,398/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Nashville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Tennessee Average | $54,165 | +15.20% more |
| National Average | $65,075 | -4.11% less |
Graphic Designers in Nashville, TN earn a median of $62,398 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.11% lower than the national median of $65,075 and 15.20% above the Tennessee state average of $54,165.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Nashville has a cost of living 3.66% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Nashville, TN has a cost-of-living index of 96.338 (below the national average of 100). A graphic designer earning $62,398 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $64,770 in an average-cost city — an effective 3.8% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$53,500
2025 BLS Actual
$60,370
2026 Current Est.
$62,398
2019–2027 Growth
+20.6%
Salary Trajectory for Graphic Designers in Nashville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.36% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $53,500 | Actual |
| 2020 | $50,240 | Actual |
| 2021 | $48,680 | Actual |
| 2022 | $50,620 | Actual |
| 2023 | $49,660 | Actual |
| 2024 | $53,290 | Actual |
| 2025 | $60,370 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $62,398 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $64,495 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Nashville metropolitan area, the median graphic designer salary grew 12.8% from $53,500 (2019) to $60,370 (2025). At a 3.36% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $64,495 by 2027 — a total increase of $10,995 (20.55%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Nashville 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) | $44,652 – $51,484 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $51,484 – $62,398 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $62,398 – $80,042 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $80,042 – $99,102 |
salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual graphic designer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Graphic Designer Job Market in Nashville
For graphic designers in Nashville, job opportunities remain robust, with approximately 1,590 professionals currently employed in the area. The cost-of-living index stands at a relatively favorable 96.338, allowing designers to enjoy a reasonable standard of living, albeit with a practical consideration for salary and expenses. Among local employers, corporate marketing teams in sectors like finance and consumer packaged goods typically offer some of the highest salaries, surpassing traditional advertising agencies. The disparity in graphic designer pay in Nashville often stems from the specific design role—areas like motion graphics and brand identity tend to command better compensation compared to more general graphic design work. Designers who hone their skills in these specialties, build a strong portfolio, and leverage connections can capitalize on higher salaries, particularly when considering the increasing emphasis on robust design solutions in both corporate and freelance markets.
More salary data for Nashville, TN:
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 $60,370 for graphic designersin the Nashville 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