Graphic Designer Salary in Madison, WI
Graphic Designers in the Madison, WI metro area earn a median $63,970 a year — 2% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $51,546 take-home, or $4,296 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median graphic designer salary in Madison, WI. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$5,496
- Social Security (6.2%)$3,966
- Medicare (1.45%)$928
- Wisconsin income tax$2,034
- Take-home pay$51,546
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 4.40% state
Graphic Designer pay by experience in Madison, WI
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $45,190 | $21.73 | $37,283 | $3,107 |
| 25th percentile | $50,990 | $24.51 | $41,688 | $3,474 |
| Median (50th) | $63,970 | $30.75 | $51,546 | $4,296 |
| 75th percentile | $76,970 | $37.00 | $60,280 | $5,023 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $94,730 | $45.54 | $71,832 | $5,986 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Wisconsin resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $63,970 buys in Madison, WI
Prices in Madison, WI are 2.7% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 0% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median graphic designer's $51,546 take-home pay has the buying power of $52,984 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Madison, WI has 1.4× the national concentration of graphic designer jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for graphic designers, adjusted for cost of living
Madison, WI ranks #24 of 64 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Jose, CA | $97,360 | $71,232 | $64,508 |
| 2 | Bridgeport, CT | $81,800 | $63,452 | $59,377 |
| 3 | Washington, DC | $85,420 | $64,631 | $59,357 |
| 4 | San Francisco, CA | $92,050 | $68,059 | $58,868 |
| 5 | Seattle, WA | $76,720 | $62,803 | $56,511 |
| 6 | Baltimore, MD | $75,790 | $58,912 | $56,382 |
| 7 | Boston, MA | $78,270 | $60,199 | $55,603 |
| 8 | Austin, TX | $65,060 | $54,456 | $55,530 |
| 24 | Madison, WI | $63,970 | $51,546 | $52,984 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 64 metros →
Graphic Designer salaries elsewhere in Wisconsin
- Milwaukee, WI — $61,780
Frequently asked questions
How much does a graphic designer make in Madison, WI?
The median graphic designer salary in the Madison, WI metro area is $63,970 a year, or about $30.75 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $50,990 and $76,970.
What is a graphic designer’s take-home pay in Madison, WI?
On the median $63,970 salary, a single filer living in Wisconsin takes home about $51,546 a year ($4,296 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $2,034 in Wisconsin taxes in 2026.
Is Madison, WI a good place to work as a graphic designer?
Pay here is 2% above the national median of $62,960. Local prices are 2.7% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $52,984 would in a typical U.S. city. Madison, WI ranks #24 of 64 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a graphic designer afford rent in Madison, WI?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Madison, WI is $1,377 a month ($1,600 for two bedrooms) — 32% of a median graphic designer’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Madison, WI
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- Producer and Director — $68,350
- Coach and Scout — $42,750