Graphic Designer Salary in Janesville, WI: $62,740 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time graphic designer in Janesville, WI earns a median $62,740/year (≈ $30.16/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 27-1024). Once you factor in Janesville's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.7), that paycheck buys what $66,956 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.4% above the Wisconsin state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, graphic designers in Janesville, Wisconsin, can anticipate a median annual salary of $62,740, which falls slightly below the national average of $65,075. These professionals experience a salary range from $44,238 at the 10th percentile to $85,799 at the 90th percentile, according to estimates based on 2025 BLS OEWS data projected to 2026. This midpoint offers a competitive option for those entering the field while also providing opportunities for more experienced designers to increase their earnings significantly. The variation in compensation highlights the dynamic nature of graphic designer pay in Janesville, shaped by factors such as the specific industry segment, expertise, and work environment. As the demand for design work continues to flourish, understanding the local market context becomes vital for career planning.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $44,238 | $21.27 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $49,758 | $23.93 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $62,740 | $30.16 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $74,512 | $35.82 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $85,799 | $41.25 |
Median Salary Position
3.59% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Janesville
In Janesville, WI, the graphic designer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $41,561 (2026 est.). At $62,740, the local median is 3.59% below the national median of $65,075.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Janesville: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Janesville Graphic Designer Pay Compares
Janesville median: $62,740/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Janesville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin Average | $61,269 | +2.40% more |
| National Average | $65,075 | -3.59% less |
Graphic Designers in Janesville, WI earn a median of $62,740 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.59% lower than the national median of $65,075 and 2.40% above the Wisconsin state average of $61,269.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Janesville has a cost of living 6.30% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Janesville, WI has a cost-of-living index of 93.703 (below the national average of 100). A graphic designer earning $62,740 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $66,956 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.72% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$40,650
2025 BLS Actual
$60,700
2026 Current Est.
$62,740
2019–2027 Growth
+59.5%
Salary Trajectory for Graphic Designers in Janesville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.36% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $40,650 | Actual |
| 2020 | $39,050 | Actual |
| 2021 | $39,650 | Actual |
| 2022 | $47,560 | Actual |
| 2023 | $47,530 | Actual |
| 2024 | $56,600 | Actual |
| 2025 | $60,700 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $62,740 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $64,848 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Janesville metropolitan area, the median graphic designer salary grew 49.3% from $40,650 (2019) to $60,700 (2025). At a 3.36% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $64,848 by 2027 — a total increase of $24,198 (59.53%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Janesville 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $44,238 – $49,758 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $49,758 – $62,740 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $62,740 – $74,512 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $74,512 – $85,799 |
salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual graphic designer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Graphic Designer Job Market in Janesville
Within Janesville, a total of 50 graphic designers form a vibrant job market, allowing for certain employment stability amidst varying salary expectations. The cost of living index in the area stands at 93.703, which is below the national average, meaning that designers may enjoy a more favorable purchasing power than their counterparts in higher-cost regions. Most competitive salaries tend to come from corporate marketing teams in industries such as banking, consumer packaged goods (CPG), and technology, where design roles offer better pay along with benefits. Specialties like motion graphics and brand identity design often command higher rates, while freelance opportunities can lead to fluctuating incomes. Those looking to maximize their graphic designer pay in Janesville, WI, would benefit from building a strong portfolio, seeking premium projects, and considering in-house positions for consistent income paired with job security.
More salary data for Janesville, 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
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $60,700 for graphic designersin the Janesville metropolitan area. A 3.36% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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