Graphic Designer salary in Fort Wayne, IN
Graphic Designers in the Fort Wayne, IN metro area earn a median of $52,280 a year ($25.14 an hour), based on BLS data for 270 workers.
Pay ranges from $38,380 for the lowest-paid 10% to $83,710 for the top 10%. That is 17% lower than the national median of $62,960. Pay here is 6% lower than the Indiana statewide median of $55,480. There are 1.2 graphic designers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $59,120, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for graphic designers in Fort Wayne, IN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $38,380 | $18.45 |
| 25th percentile | $46,440 | $22.33 |
| Median | $52,280 | $25.14 |
| 75th percentile | $65,300 | $31.39 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $83,710 | $40.25 |
| Average (mean) | $59,120 | $28.42 |
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 | $4,356.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,178.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,010.77 |
| Weekly | $1,005.38 |
| Hourly | $25.14 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $66,490 | 6,590 |
| Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN | $66,060 | 100 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $62,260 | 1,730 |
| Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN | $60,520 | 1,530 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $57,340 | 820 |
| Michigan City-La Porte, IN | $54,290 | 30 |
| Elkhart-Goshen, IN | $51,720 | 140 |
| Evansville, IN | $51,450 | 110 |
| South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI | $51,370 | 160 |
| Bloomington, IN | $48,740 | 30 |
| Terre Haute, IN | $45,930 | 50 |
| Muncie, IN | $45,700 | 40 |
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 Indiana statewide figures.
Related jobs in Fort Wayne, IN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $39,980 | $19.22 |
| Interior Designer | $61,110 | $29.38 |
| Floral Designer | $36,080 | $17.35 |
| Commercial and Industrial Designers | $67,810 | $32.60 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $38,840 | — |
| Public Relations Specialist | $70,410 | $33.85 |
| Photographer | $36,900 | $17.74 |
| Producers and Directors | $57,260 | $27.53 |
| Broadcast Technician | $37,980 | $18.26 |
| Interpreters and Translators | $44,000 | $21.16 |
| Editor | $50,810 | $24.43 |
| Writers and Authors | $63,640 | $30.60 |
| Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys | $48,340 | $23.24 |
| Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners | $66,160 | $31.81 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Fort Wayne, IN
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 Fort Wayne, IN?
The median salary for graphic designers in the Fort Wayne, IN metro area is $52,280 a year, or $25.14 an hour. Pay ranges from $38,380 for the lowest-paid 10% to $83,710 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid graphic designers make in Fort Wayne, IN?
The top 10% of graphic designers in the Fort Wayne, IN metro area earn at least $83,710 a year. The top 25% earn $65,300 or more.
What is the starting pay for graphic designers in Fort Wayne, IN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $38,380 a year, and a quarter of graphic designers earn $46,440 or less.
How many graphic designers work in Fort Wayne, IN?
About 270 graphic designers are employed in the Fort Wayne, IN metro area, not counting the self-employed.