Graphic Designers Salary
The median pay for a graphic designers in Arkansas is $46,220/year ($22.22/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $32K at the entry level to $80K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 87.64), which stretches that salary to about $52,738 in buying power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,021/month, about 32.4% of take-home, which is tight.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Arkansas. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $46K get you in Arkansas?
About graphic designers
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What this looks like in Arkansas
Pay for graphic designers in Arkansas runs about 27% below the U.S. median of $63K. Rent runs $1,021/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 32.6% of the median take-home. That's within the 30% rule, though not by much. Regional Price Parity sits at 87.64 (national = 100), meaning everyday costs run about 12% cheaper here. Your dollar stretches further than the headline salary suggests. Use the affordability calculator above to model your specific situation.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Arkansas
Entry-level graphic designers (10th percentile) start around $32K. Mid-career wages sit at $46K. Top earners bring in $80K or more, a $48K spread from bottom to top.
Graphic Designers salary by metro in Arkansas
5 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers | $55K | +19% | 430 |
| Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway | $47K | +1% | 370 |
| Jonesboro | $40K | -14% | 50 |
| Fort Smith | $40K | -14% | 80 |
| Hot Springs | $40K | -14% | 30 |
Compare to other states
Track graphic designers salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Arkansas numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a graphic designer afford a 2BR apartment alone in Arkansas?
It’s a stretch — at the median salary of $46K, rent takes 32.6% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,021/month. The 30% guideline puts the comfortable ceiling at roughly $900/month in rent — so roommates or a 1-bedroom would ease the math significantly.
What’s the entry-level salary for graphic designers in Arkansas?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new graphic designers typically earn — is $32K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $1,894/month. At HUD’s $1,021/month FMR, rent would take 54% of that take-home — above the 30% guideline, so a 1-bedroom or shared housing is likely necessary starting out.
Is graphic designer a high-paying job in Arkansas?
Local pay runs 27% below the national median — $46K here vs. $63K nationally. Cost of living is 12% below the national average, which narrows that gap in real purchasing power.
How does Arkansas compare to the national average for graphic designers?
Arkansas pays $46K median vs. the U.S. average of $63K — that’s -27%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 87.64), the purchasing-power equivalent is $53K — below the national median.
How much do graphic designers make in Arkansas?
The median is $46,220 a year, that works out to about $22 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $31,570, and experienced graphic designers can clear $79,730. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $46K enough to live in Arkansas?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $3,128/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,021/month, which eats 32.6% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb, housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a graphic designers salary go in Arkansas?
Arkansas has a Regional Price Parity of 87.64 (100 is the national average). That's below average, your money stretches further here than the raw salary number suggests. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median graphic designers salary is worth about $52,738 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do graphic designers get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.