Graphic Designer salary in Appleton, WI
Graphic Designers in the Appleton, WI metro area earn a median of $59,980 a year ($28.84 an hour), based on BLS data for 210 workers.
Pay ranges from $44,620 for the lowest-paid 10% to $81,260 for the top 10%. That is 5% lower than the national median of $62,960. Pay here is about the same as the Wisconsin statewide median of $59,900. There are 1.7 graphic designers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $62,570, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for graphic designers in Appleton, WI
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $44,620 | $21.45 |
| 25th percentile | $47,960 | $23.06 |
| Median | $59,980 | $28.84 |
| 75th percentile | $74,010 | $35.58 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $81,260 | $39.07 |
| Average (mean) | $62,570 | $30.08 |
Half of graphic designers earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $4,998.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,499.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,306.92 |
| Weekly | $1,153.46 |
| Hourly | $28.84 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Graphic Designer salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Kenosha, WI | $66,810 | 70 |
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $65,610 | 3,690 |
| Madison, WI | $63,970 | 700 |
| Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI | $61,780 | 1,200 |
| Janesville-Beloit, WI | $60,700 | 50 |
| Racine-Mount Pleasant, WI | $59,990 | 90 |
| Green Bay, WI | $59,260 | 240 |
| Oshkosh-Neenah, WI | $58,670 | 280 |
| Duluth, MN-WI | $57,960 | 130 |
| La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN | $56,630 | 130 |
| Eau Claire, WI | $56,230 | 100 |
| Wausau, WI | $55,230 | 60 |
| Fond du Lac, WI | $54,460 | 30 |
| Sheboygan, WI | $53,440 | 70 |
Highest-paying states for graphic designers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $87,920 |
| Rhode Island | $78,220 |
| New York | $77,340 |
| Massachusetts | $76,710 |
| California | $75,130 |
| Maryland | $75,120 |
| New Jersey | $73,790 |
| Washington | $72,710 |
| Connecticut | $72,700 |
| Virginia | $72,310 |
See Graphic Designer pay in every state or the Wisconsin statewide figures.
Related jobs in Appleton, WI
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $35,990 | $17.30 |
| Floral Designer | $34,800 | $16.73 |
| Interior Designer | $55,780 | $26.82 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $39,800 | — |
| Public Relations Specialist | $56,480 | $27.16 |
| Interpreters and Translators | $61,210 | $29.43 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Appleton, WI
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 27-1024. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a graphic designer make in Appleton, WI?
The median salary for graphic designers in the Appleton, WI metro area is $59,980 a year, or $28.84 an hour. Pay ranges from $44,620 for the lowest-paid 10% to $81,260 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid graphic designers make in Appleton, WI?
The top 10% of graphic designers in the Appleton, WI metro area earn at least $81,260 a year. The top 25% earn $74,010 or more.
What is the starting pay for graphic designers in Appleton, WI?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $44,620 a year, and a quarter of graphic designers earn $47,960 or less.
How many graphic designers work in Appleton, WI?
About 210 graphic designers are employed in the Appleton, WI metro area, not counting the self-employed.