folvr

Graphic Designer Salary in Kansas City, Missouri

Updated 2026-04-05BLS 2024 data — be the first to add a local report

Salary Distribution

BLS 2024
$54,573/ year

Median Graphic Designer in Kansas City, MO

$31,340
10th
$38,220
25th
$54,573
Median
$75,530
75th
$92,147
90th

Compensation Breakdown

BLS 2024
Base salary (median)
$54,573
Total compensation (est.)
$62,759
Bonus range
$2,100 – $9,960
Mean salary
$57,847

How This Compares

Kansas City, MO median
$54,573
Missouri median
$61,169-10.8%
National median
$59,970-9.0%

Cost of living in Kansas City is 9% below the national average. Salary of $54,573 here is equivalent to $59,970 nationally.

Salary by Experience

0-2 years
$39,293-28.0%
3-5 years
$49,661-9.0%
6-10 years
$61,122+12.0%
10+ years
$75,311+38.0%

Salary by Company Size

Startup (< 100 employees)
$48,024-12.0%
Mid-size (100–5,000)
$54,573
Enterprise (5,000+)
$64,396+18.0%

Add your salary data

Anonymous. 60 seconds. See how you compare instantly.

$55K
$30K$500K

Graphic Designer Salaries in Nearby Cities

St. Louis, MO$53,373/yr
Springfield, MO$59,970/yr
Columbia, MO$59,970/yr
Independence, MO$59,970/yr

Related Jobs in Kansas City

Content Writer$67,058/yr
Copywriter$67,058/yr
Photographer$36,555/yr
Video Editor$57,112/yr
Social Media Manager$126,244/yr

Quick Numbers

Hourly (40hr week)$26/hr
Monthly gross$4,548/mo
25th percentile$38,220/yr
75th percentile$75,530/yr

Find Graphic Designer jobs in Kansas City

See open positions and negotiate with real data.

Search Indeed →Search LinkedIn →

Market Context

via FRED

Fed Funds Rate

Mar 2026

3.64%

Inflation (CPI)

year-over-year

2.4%+0.04

National Unemployment

Mar 2026

4.3%-0.10

Missouri Unemployment

Dec 2025

3.9%-0.10

Avg Hourly Earnings

all private workers

$37.38+$0.09

10yr Treasury

Apr 2026

4.31%

Source: St. Louis Fed (FRED). Updated daily.

Graphic Designer Salaries by City

Compare all US cities →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average Graphic Designer salary in Kansas City?

The median Graphic Designer salary in Kansas City is $54,573 per year, with a range from $38,220 at the 25th percentile to $75,530 at the 75th percentile. Total compensation including bonuses typically runs higher — see the breakdown above for the full picture.

How does Graphic Designer pay in Kansas City compare to the national average?

Graphic Designer salaries in Kansas City are 9% below the national median of $59,970. After adjusting for Kansas City's cost of living, the purchasing power of that salary is equivalent to roughly $59,970 nationally — which is the number that actually matters when comparing offers across cities.

What factors affect Graphic Designer salaries in Kansas City?

In Kansas City, the biggest drivers are years of experience, company size, and industry vertical. Entry-level Graphic Designer roles start around $31,340, while senior and staff-level positions at larger employers can reach $92,147 or above. Specialized skills and in-demand tools can also meaningfully shift where you land in the range.

Is Kansas City a good place for Graphic Designer jobs?

Kansas City offers a Graphic Designer median of $54,573, which is 9% below the US median of $59,970. Whether that makes it a good market depends on your personal cost-of-living equation — Kansas City is 9% cheaper than the national average, so factor that into your math.

How do I negotiate a higher Graphic Designer salary?

Start with the data on this page: the 75th percentile for Graphic Designer in Kansas City is $75,530, which is a defensible anchor for a negotiation. Come in with a specific number backed by real market data — not a range — and reference your experience tier. If you're above the median, ask for the 75th percentile. If you're already at the 75th, push for total comp improvements like equity or bonus instead.