Graphic Designer Salary in The Colony, TX: $48,648 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time graphic designer in The Colony, TX earns a median $48,648/year (≈ $23.39/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 27-1024). Once you factor in The Colony's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 96.0), that paycheck buys what $50,675 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.2% below the Texas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Graphic designers in The Colony, Texas, have a median annual salary projected at $48,648 for 2026, which positions them significantly lower than the national median of $65,075. The salary range for this profession locally spans from $30,329 at the 10th percentile to $75,405 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the varying levels of expertise and specialization in the field. Estimates derived from BLS state-level data and regional price adjustments suggest room for growth within the local market, particularly for designers specializing in high-demand areas such as motion graphics and brand identity. This specialty premium not only enhances earning potential but also contributes to the overall vibrancy of The Colony’s job market for design professionals.
About the The Colony Market
Salary estimated from Texas average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $30,329 | $14.58 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $37,253 | $17.91 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $48,648 | $23.39 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $61,981 | $29.80 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $75,405 | $36.25 |
Median Salary Position
25.24% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in The Colony
In The Colony, TX, the graphic designer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $45,076 (2026 est.). At $48,648, the local median is 25.24% below the national median of $65,075.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in The Colony: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How The Colony Graphic Designer Pay Compares
The Colony median: $48,648/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | The Colony Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $49,743 | -2.20% less |
| National Average | $65,075 | -25.24% less |
Graphic Designers in The Colony, TX earn a median of $48,648 per year (2026 est.), which is 25.24% lower than the national median of $65,075 and 2.20% below the Texas state average of $49,743.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
The Colony has a cost of living 4.00% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
The Colony, TX has a cost-of-living index of 96 (below the national average of 100). A graphic designer earning $48,648 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $50,675 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.17% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$38,956
2025 BLS Actual
$47,067
2026 Current Est.
$48,648
2019–2027 Growth
+29.1%
Salary Trajectory for Graphic Designers in The Colony (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.36% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $38,956 | Actual |
| 2020 | $39,905 | Actual |
| 2021 | $37,909 | Actual |
| 2022 | $43,352 | Actual |
| 2023 | $44,039 | Actual |
| 2024 | $58,217 | Actual |
| 2025 | $47,067 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $48,648 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $50,283 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the The Colony metropolitan area, the median graphic designer salary grew 20.8% from $38,956 (2019) to $47,067 (2025). At a 3.36% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $50,283 by 2027 — a total increase of $11,327 (29.08%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the The Colony 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) | $30,329 – $37,253 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $37,253 – $48,648 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $48,648 – $61,981 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $61,981 – $75,405 |
salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual graphic designer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Graphic Designer Job Market in The Colony
The job market for graphic designers in The Colony is relatively limited, with only nine employed in the area, which can create both challenges and opportunities. With a cost-of-living index of 96, designers may find their purchasing power slightly bolstered, despite lower salary figures compared to the national average. Higher-paying positions are often found in in-house corporate marketing teams within industries like banking, consumer packaged goods, and technology, as well as in prestigious advertising and branding agencies. Salary disparities can be attributed to various factors, including the type of employer, the complexity of projects, and the designer's portfolio quality. To maximize their earnings, designers should focus on enhancing their skills in niche specializations, prioritizing strong portfolios, and exploring contract work when applicable, balancing in-house roles with freelance opportunities to capture a wider range of projects and compensation.
More salary data for The Colony, TX:
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 $47,067 for graphic designersin the The Colony 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 The Colony 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