Graphic Designer Salary in River Falls, WI: $57,716 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time graphic designer in River Falls, WI earns a median $57,716/year (≈ $27.75/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 27-1024). Once you factor in River Falls's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.4), that paycheck buys what $61,794 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.8% below the Wisconsin state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the graphic designer salary in River Falls, Wisconsin, has a projected median of $57,716, which reflects a competitive market position relative to national figures. At the lower end, salaries start at approximately $36,549, while experienced professionals can earn up to $89,460. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS data projected to 2026, indicate a variance in earning potential that can significantly affect a designer’s decision to pursue freelance opportunities versus in-house positions. While the median annual salary lags behind the national median of $65,075—highlighting a local market that may not match broader economic trends—there are still opportunities for skilled designers who can effectively navigate client needs and project demands in River Falls.
About the River Falls Market
Salary estimated from Wisconsin average ($55,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $36,549 | $17.57 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $46,742 | $22.47 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $57,716 | $27.75 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $73,877 | $35.51 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $89,460 | $43.01 |
Median Salary Position
11.31% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in River Falls
In River Falls, WI, the graphic designer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $52,911 (2026 est.). At $57,716, the local median is 11.31% below the national median of $65,075.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in River Falls: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How River Falls Graphic Designer Pay Compares
River Falls median: $57,716/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | River Falls Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin Average | $61,270 | -5.80% less |
| National Average | $65,075 | -11.31% less |
Graphic Designers in River Falls, WI earn a median of $57,716 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.31% lower than the national median of $65,075 and 5.80% below the Wisconsin state average of $61,270.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
River Falls has a cost of living 6.60% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
River Falls, WI has a cost-of-living index of 93.4 (below the national average of 100). A graphic designer earning $57,716 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $61,794 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.07% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$46,217
2025 BLS Actual
$55,840
2026 Current Est.
$57,716
2019–2027 Growth
+29.1%
Salary Trajectory for Graphic Designers in River Falls (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.36% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $46,217 | Actual |
| 2020 | $47,343 | Actual |
| 2021 | $44,975 | Actual |
| 2022 | $51,432 | Actual |
| 2023 | $52,248 | Actual |
| 2024 | $48,406 | Actual |
| 2025 | $55,840 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $57,716 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $59,655 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the River Falls metropolitan area, the median graphic designer salary grew 20.8% from $46,217 (2019) to $55,840 (2025). At a 3.36% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $59,655 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,438 (29.08%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the River Falls 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) | $36,549 – $46,742 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $46,742 – $57,716 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $57,716 – $73,877 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $73,877 – $89,460 |
salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual graphic designer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Graphic Designer Job Market in River Falls
Within River Falls, the job market for graphic designers is relatively small, with only five currently employed in the area. The cost of living index is at 93.4, suggesting that take-home pay may stretch further than in higher-cost areas, providing a local advantage. The most lucrative positions tend to be within corporate marketing teams that are backed by banks and consumer packaged goods firms, where the stability of in-house roles contrasts with the varying pay scales found in freelance work and agencies. Factors influencing the disparity in salaries include the specialty of the designer—such as motion graphics or brand identity design—which commands higher fees compared to general graphic design. To maximize earnings in River Falls, it is advisable for designers to build strong portfolios, focus on high-demand skill sets, and engage in networking to secure better project rates versus settling for lower-paying gigs.
More salary data for River Falls, 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 $55,840 for graphic designersin the River Falls 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
Salary data for River Falls 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