Graphic Designers Salary in Milwaukee, WI

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI

Median annual salary $59,990 -2.1% vs national
Median hourly $28.84
10th percentile $40,830
90th percentile $80,090
Employed locally 1,380
National median $61,300

Compare Graphic Designers salary & buying power

Type a city below to see how Milwaukee, WI stacks up on salary and cost of living.

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Graphic Designers
in
Milwaukee, WI
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $40,830
    25th
    $48,400
    50th (median)
    $59,990
    75th
    $73,360
    90th
    $80,090

    Milwaukee economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.20% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $76,404 2023 • Census ACS
    Graphic Designers salary vs area income 79% Median Graphic Designers salary is 21% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Graphic Designers

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $98,530
    District of Columbia $90,710
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $89,490
    Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $82,630
    Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV $82,360
    Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA $78,500

    Nearby metros — Graphic Designers salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Kennewick-Richland, WA $70,590
    Providence-Warwick, RI-MA $63,880
    Kenosha, WI $62,840
    Madison, WI $62,520
    Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD $61,190
    Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI $61,100

    Related occupations in Milwaukee, WI

    OccupationMedian salary
    Coaches and Scouts $41,810
    Public Relations Specialists $63,350
    Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers $38,180
    Producers and Directors $62,840
    Photographers $39,750
    Interior Designers $63,110

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Graphic Designers make per hour in Milwaukee?

    The median hourly wage for Graphic Designers in Milwaukee, WI is $28.84, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $41.96 or more per hour.

    Is Milwaukee above or below average for Graphic Designers salaries?

    The median Graphic Designers salary in Milwaukee, WI is 2.1% below the national median of $61,300. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Graphic Designers in Milwaukee?

    Entry-level Graphic Designers (10th percentile) earn around $40,830 per year in Milwaukee, WI. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $48,400.