Graphic Designer Salary in Madison, WI: $66,119 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time graphic designer in Madison, WI earns a median $66,119/year (≈ $31.79/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 27-1024). Once you factor in Madison's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.3), that paycheck buys what $67,963 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.9% above the Wisconsin state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the graphic designer salary in Madison is projected to reach $66,119, reflecting a competitive edge over the national median of $65,075. This figure is derived from comprehensive data provided by the Bureau of Labor Statistics based on 2025 OEWS surveys, highlighting a salary range from $46,708 at the 10th percentile to $97,913 at the 90th percentile. Madison's graphic design landscape offers a blend of opportunities between in-house corporate positions and agency roles, which play a significant part in shaping salary parameters. In-house positions often provide steadier pay and benefits, while agencies may offer lower initial salaries but present broader creative opportunities and higher income potential as designers advance.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $46,708 | $22.45 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $52,703 | $25.33 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $66,119 | $31.79 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $79,556 | $38.25 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $97,913 | $47.07 |
Median Salary Position
1.60% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Madison
In Madison, WI, the graphic designer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $51,205 (2026 est.). At $66,119, the local median is 1.6% above the national median of $65,075.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Madison: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Madison Graphic Designer Pay Compares
Madison median: $66,119/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Madison Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin Average | $61,278 | +7.90% more |
| National Average | $65,075 | +1.60% more |
Graphic Designers in Madison, WI earn a median of $66,119 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.60% higher than the national median of $65,075 and 7.90% above the Wisconsin state average of $61,278.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Madison has a cost of living 2.71% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Madison, WI has a cost-of-living index of 97.287 (below the national average of 100). A graphic designer earning $66,119 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $67,963 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.79% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$53,710
2025 BLS Actual
$63,970
2026 Current Est.
$66,119
2019–2027 Growth
+27.2%
Salary Trajectory for Graphic Designers in Madison (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.36% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $53,710 | Actual |
| 2020 | $53,140 | Actual |
| 2021 | $49,900 | Actual |
| 2022 | $56,370 | Actual |
| 2023 | $57,380 | Actual |
| 2024 | $62,520 | Actual |
| 2025 | $63,970 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $66,119 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $68,341 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Madison metropolitan area, the median graphic designer salary grew 19.1% from $53,710 (2019) to $63,970 (2025). At a 3.36% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $68,341 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,631 (27.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Madison 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) | $46,708 – $52,703 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $52,703 – $66,119 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $66,119 – $79,556 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $79,556 – $97,913 |
salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual graphic designer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Graphic Designer Job Market in Madison
In the local market, around 700 graphic designers are engaged across a spectrum of employers, including corporate marketing teams and specialized agencies. With a cost-of-living index of 97.287, Madison presents a favorable environment for designers that helps to enhance purchasing power relative to income. Notably, employers in the consumer packaged goods and financial sectors tend to offer the highest salaries, contrasting with lower-paying retail jobs. The disparity in pay can be attributed to the level of expertise required, with specialties in motion graphics or brand identity commanding higher rates. To maximize earnings in Madison, focusing on developing a robust portfolio that showcases unique skills can be crucial, especially for those considering positions in top agencies or pursuing freelance opportunities that fall outside the typical low-end market.
More salary data for Madison, 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 $63,970 for graphic designersin the Madison 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