Graphic Designer salary in Madison, WI
Graphic Designers in the Madison, WI metro area earn a median of $63,970 a year ($30.76 an hour), based on BLS data for 700 workers.
Pay ranges from $45,190 for the lowest-paid 10% to $94,730 for the top 10%. That is 2% higher than the national median of $62,960. Pay here is 7% higher than the Wisconsin statewide median of $59,900. There are 1.7 graphic designers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.4× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $66,620, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for graphic designers in Madison, WI
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $45,190 | $21.72 |
| 25th percentile | $50,990 | $24.51 |
| Median | $63,970 | $30.76 |
| 75th percentile | $76,970 | $37.01 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $94,730 | $45.54 |
| Average (mean) | $66,620 | $32.03 |
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 | $5,330.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,665.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,460.38 |
| Weekly | $1,230.19 |
| Hourly | $30.76 |
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 |
| Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI | $61,780 | 1,200 |
| Janesville-Beloit, WI | $60,700 | 50 |
| Racine-Mount Pleasant, WI | $59,990 | 90 |
| Appleton, WI | $59,980 | 210 |
| 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 Madison, WI
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $43,000 | $20.67 |
| Interior Designer | $64,780 | $31.15 |
| Art Director | $83,650 | $40.22 |
| Floral Designer | $35,160 | $16.91 |
| Commercial and Industrial Designers | $83,840 | $40.31 |
| Fashion Designer | $57,030 | $27.42 |
| Public Relations Specialist | $73,510 | $35.34 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $42,750 | — |
| Producers and Directors | $68,350 | $32.86 |
| Editor | $66,920 | $32.17 |
| Interpreters and Translators | $72,720 | $34.96 |
| Technical Writer | $86,180 | $41.43 |
| Audio and Video Technicians | $47,320 | $22.75 |
| News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists | $60,780 | $29.22 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Madison, 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 Madison, WI?
The median salary for graphic designers in the Madison, WI metro area is $63,970 a year, or $30.76 an hour. Pay ranges from $45,190 for the lowest-paid 10% to $94,730 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid graphic designers make in Madison, WI?
The top 10% of graphic designers in the Madison, WI metro area earn at least $94,730 a year. The top 25% earn $76,970 or more.
What is the starting pay for graphic designers in Madison, WI?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $45,190 a year, and a quarter of graphic designers earn $50,990 or less.
How many graphic designers work in Madison, WI?
About 700 graphic designers are employed in the Madison, WI metro area, not counting the self-employed.