Graphic Designer Hourly Pay in South Milwaukee, WI: $27.98 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a graphic designer working in South Milwaukee, WI runs $27.98 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $58,191 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 27-1024). Weighted against South Milwaukee's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.4, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $29.96 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $34,918 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In South Milwaukee, graphic designers can expect to earn a median hourly rate of $27.98, which is noticeably lower than the national median of $31.29. This discrepancy means that part-time workers who opt for a three-day workweek, for instance, would receive approximately $27,660 a year, compared to a full-time designer's potential earnings. The hourly range for graphic designers in this area spans from $18.11 for entry-level positions to $43.36 for top earners, highlighting the variance in compensation based on experience and project complexity. The settings where these professionals operate are diverse, including agency creative floors, in-house marketing teams, and freelance home offices. The ability to work in remote and hybrid environments using tools like Adobe and Figma also opens up additional opportunities for flexibility and income.
About the South Milwaukee Market
Salary estimated from Wisconsin average ($55,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Graphic Designer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $18.11 | $144.87 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $21.84 | $174.72 |
| Median (P50) | $27.98 | $223.84 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $34.53 | $276.26 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $43.36 | $346.88 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in South Milwaukee
Based on $27.98/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $27.98/hr, a graphic designer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in South Milwaukee, WI can expect to earn approximately $58,197 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $33,575. With a cost-of-living index of 93.40 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in South Milwaukee.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in South Milwaukee
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,119.18 | $4,850 | $58,197 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $671.51 | $2,910 | $34,918 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $447.67 | $1,940 | $23,279 |
Compare Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Graphic Designer (South Milwaukee) | $27.98 |
| Web Developer (National Avg) | $45.87 |
| Art Director (National Avg) | $62.64 |
| Special Effects / Animator (National Avg) | $45.53 |
| Industrial Designer (National Avg) | $41.73 |
Graphic Designers in South Milwaukee, WI earn a median of $58,191 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.58% lower than the national median of $65,075 and 5.00% below the Wisconsin state average of $61,253.
Graphic Designer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $27.98/hr = $34,918/year (purchasing power: $37,386).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $58,197/year (purchasing power: $62,310).
CoL index: 93.4 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$22.40/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$27.07/hr
2026 Current Est.
$27.98/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+29.1%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Graphic Designers in South Milwaukee (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.36% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $22.40/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $22.95/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $21.80/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $24.93/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $25.33/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $23.46/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $27.07/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $27.98/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $28.92/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for graphic designers in South Milwaukee grew 20.8% from $22.40/hr (2019) to $27.07/hr (2025). At a 3.36% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $28.92/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem graphic designers can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the South Milwaukee metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 3.36% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Graphic Designer in South Milwaukee
With regard to part-time earnings in South Milwaukee, a graphic designer working 24 hours a week would see significantly different financial implications compared to a full-time position; the annual take-home is attractive for those balancing multiple commitments. Per-diem graphic designers often charge higher than typical rates, with fees ranging from $50 to $95 per hour, depending on their expertise and project demands. For specialized roles such as motion graphics specialists or senior brand designers, the hourly rates can escalate to between $75 and $180, particularly in high-stakes projects. Furthermore, hourly rates exhibit a variety of trends depending on the employer, with corporate in-house positions typically providing steadier, lower-pay structures contrasted with agency roles that might offer higher variability in project types and potential creativity. Many designers face trade-offs in benefits versus hourly pay, prompting crucial negotiation strategies in a market like South Milwaukee, where securing health insurance might sway one towards a slightly lower hourly rate for in-house employment.
More salary data for South Milwaukee, WI:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Jordan Lee, MFA
Career Analyst
Jordan Lee has 10 years of experience in graphic design. They specialize in branding and visual identity. Their work includes freelance projects for small businesses.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 3.36% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for graphic designers in South Milwaukee. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for South Milwaukee is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.36%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for graphic designers (SOC 27-1024).
Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, MFA, a licensed graphic designer with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov