Graphic Designer salary in Rockford, IL
Graphic Designers in the Rockford, IL metro area earn a median of $54,530 a year ($26.22 an hour), based on BLS data for 110 workers.
Pay ranges from $38,710 for the lowest-paid 10% to $77,070 for the top 10%. That is 13% lower than the national median of $62,960. Pay here is 13% lower than the Illinois statewide median of $62,560. There are 0.82 graphic designers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.65). The average (mean) salary is $56,460, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for graphic designers in Rockford, IL
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $38,710 | $18.61 |
| 25th percentile | $44,830 | $21.55 |
| Median | $54,530 | $26.22 |
| 75th percentile | $64,590 | $31.05 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $77,070 | $37.05 |
| Average (mean) | $56,460 | $27.14 |
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 | $4,544.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,272.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,097.31 |
| Weekly | $1,048.65 |
| Hourly | $26.22 |
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 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $61,000 | 2,010 |
| Champaign-Urbana, IL | $60,200 | 150 |
| Bloomington, IL | $57,230 | 90 |
| Peoria, IL | $56,450 | 150 |
| Springfield, IL | $55,220 | 100 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $52,500 | 170 |
| Cape Girardeau, MO-IL | $51,180 | 40 |
| Decatur, IL | $48,100 | 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 Illinois statewide figures.
Related jobs in Rockford, IL
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $36,470 | $17.54 |
| Floral Designer | $34,330 | $16.50 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $31,770 | — |
| Producers and Directors | $41,250 | $19.83 |
| Public Relations Specialist | $62,500 | $30.05 |
| Interpreters and Translators | $48,140 | $23.14 |
| Editor | $59,380 | $28.55 |
| Photographer | $36,360 | $17.48 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Rockford, IL
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 Rockford, IL?
The median salary for graphic designers in the Rockford, IL metro area is $54,530 a year, or $26.22 an hour. Pay ranges from $38,710 for the lowest-paid 10% to $77,070 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid graphic designers make in Rockford, IL?
The top 10% of graphic designers in the Rockford, IL metro area earn at least $77,070 a year. The top 25% earn $64,590 or more.
What is the starting pay for graphic designers in Rockford, IL?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $38,710 a year, and a quarter of graphic designers earn $44,830 or less.
How many graphic designers work in Rockford, IL?
About 110 graphic designers are employed in the Rockford, IL metro area, not counting the self-employed.