Graphic Designer salary in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI
Graphic Designers in the Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI metro area earn a median of $61,780 a year ($29.70 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,200 workers.
Pay ranges from $44,160 for the lowest-paid 10% to $87,270 for the top 10%. That is 2% lower than the national median of $62,960. Pay here is 3% higher than the Wisconsin statewide median of $59,900. There are 1.5 graphic designers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $64,080, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for graphic designers in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $44,160 | $21.23 |
| 25th percentile | $49,140 | $23.62 |
| Median | $61,780 | $29.70 |
| 75th percentile | $75,480 | $36.29 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $87,270 | $41.96 |
| Average (mean) | $64,080 | $30.81 |
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 | $5,148.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,574.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,376.15 |
| Weekly | $1,188.08 |
| Hourly | $29.70 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $61,780 salary, see how much house you can afford in Wisconsin at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
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 |
| 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 Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $40,070 | $19.27 |
| Commercial and Industrial Designers | $80,590 | $38.75 |
| Interior Designer | $64,550 | $31.04 |
| Art Director | $91,260 | $43.87 |
| Floral Designer | $36,570 | $17.58 |
| Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators | $56,890 | $27.35 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $46,520 | — |
| Public Relations Specialist | $65,520 | $31.50 |
| Producers and Directors | $63,320 | $30.44 |
| Interpreters and Translators | $64,700 | $31.11 |
| Editor | $66,560 | $32.00 |
| Technical Writer | $82,370 | $39.60 |
| Photographer | $44,940 | $21.61 |
| Audio and Video Technicians | $52,020 | $25.01 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Milwaukee-Waukesha, 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 Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI?
The median salary for graphic designers in the Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI metro area is $61,780 a year, or $29.70 an hour. Pay ranges from $44,160 for the lowest-paid 10% to $87,270 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid graphic designers make in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI?
The top 10% of graphic designers in the Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI metro area earn at least $87,270 a year. The top 25% earn $75,480 or more.
What is the starting pay for graphic designers in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $44,160 a year, and a quarter of graphic designers earn $49,140 or less.
How many graphic designers work in Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI?
About 1,200 graphic designers are employed in the Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI metro area, not counting the self-employed.