Graphic Designer salary in Wisconsin
Graphic Designers in Wisconsin earn a median of $59,900 a year ($28.80 an hour), based on BLS data for 4,130 workers.
Pay ranges from $42,680 for the lowest-paid 10% to $85,050 for the top 10%. That is 5% lower than the national median of $62,960. Wisconsin ranks 27th of 51 states for graphic designers pay. There are 1.4 graphic designers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $62,410, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for graphic designers in Wisconsin
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $42,680 | $20.52 |
| 25th percentile | $48,390 | $23.26 |
| Median | $59,900 | $28.80 |
| 75th percentile | $73,360 | $35.27 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $85,050 | $40.89 |
| Average (mean) | $62,410 | $30.01 |
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 | $4,991.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,495.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,303.85 |
| Weekly | $1,151.92 |
| Hourly | $28.80 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Graphic Designer salary in cities in Wisconsin
| 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 |
| 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 |
Related jobs in Wisconsin
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $39,510 | $19.00 |
| Interior Designer | $62,740 | $30.17 |
| Floral Designer | $35,010 | $16.83 |
| Commercial and Industrial Designers | $80,590 | $38.75 |
| Art Director | $81,130 | $39.00 |
| Special Effects Artists and Animators | $64,890 | $31.20 |
| Craft Artist | $58,650 | $28.20 |
| Fashion Designer | $57,030 | $27.42 |
| Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators | $53,350 | $25.65 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $44,800 | — |
| Public Relations Specialist | $67,240 | $32.33 |
| Producers and Directors | $66,390 | $31.92 |
| Editor | $64,270 | $30.90 |
| Interpreters and Translators | $63,390 | $30.48 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Wisconsin
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 Wisconsin?
The median salary for graphic designers in Wisconsin is $59,900 a year, or $28.80 an hour. Pay ranges from $42,680 for the lowest-paid 10% to $85,050 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid graphic designers make in Wisconsin?
The top 10% of graphic designers in Wisconsin earn at least $85,050 a year. The top 25% earn $73,360 or more.
What is the starting pay for graphic designers in Wisconsin?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $42,680 a year, and a quarter of graphic designers earn $48,390 or less.
How many graphic designers work in Wisconsin?
About 4,130 graphic designers are employed in Wisconsin, not counting the self-employed.