Graphic Designers Salary in Madison, WI
The median pay for a graphic designers in Madison, WI is $62,520/year ($30.06/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $42K at the entry level to $90K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 97.29), that's roughly $64,261 in purchasing power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,168/month, or 28.4% of estimated take-home pay.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $63K get you in Madison?
About graphic designers
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Madison, WI
Entry-level graphic designers (10th percentile) start around $42K. Mid-career wages sit at $63K.Top earners bring in $90K or more - a $48K spread from bottom to top.
Graphic Designers pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $91K | +48% | 1,280 |
| California | $76K | +25% | 28,310 |
| Massachusetts | $76K | +25% | 4,890 |
| Washington | $76K | +24% | 5,460 |
| New York | $75K | +22% | 16,730 |
| Virginia | $70K | +14% | 5,500 |
| New Jersey | $67K | +9% | 5,870 |
| Maryland | $66K | +8% | 3,880 |
| Connecticut | $65K | +7% | 1,980 |
| Rhode Island | $64K | +5% | 820 |
| Oregon | $64K | +4% | 3,080 |
| Vermont | $62K | +1% | 470 |
| Texas | $62K | +1% | 19,360 |
| Illinois | $60K | -2% | 7,900 |
| Utah | $59K | -4% | 3,070 |
Track graphic designers salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Madison numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do graphic designers make in Madison, WI?
The median is $62,520 a year - that works out to about $30.06 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $42,140, and experienced graphic designers can clear $89,970. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $63K enough to live in Madison?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $4,167/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,168/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 28% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a graphic designers salary go in Madison?
Madison has a Regional Price Parity of 97.29 (100 is the national average). That's below average - your money stretches further here than the raw salary number suggests. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median graphic designers salary is worth about $64,261 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do graphic designers get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.