Graphic Designer Salary in Milwaukee, WI
Graphic Designers in the Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI metro area earn a median $61,780 a year — 2% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $49,883 take-home, or $4,157 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median graphic designer salary in Milwaukee, WI. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$5,234
- Social Security (6.2%)$3,830
- Medicare (1.45%)$896
- Wisconsin income tax$1,937
- Take-home pay$49,883
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 4.40% state
Graphic Designer pay by experience in Milwaukee, WI
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $44,160 | $21.23 | $36,501 | $3,042 |
| 25th percentile | $49,140 | $23.63 | $40,283 | $3,357 |
| Median (50th) | $61,780 | $29.70 | $49,883 | $4,157 |
| 75th percentile | $75,480 | $36.29 | $59,310 | $4,943 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $87,270 | $41.96 | $66,980 | $5,582 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Wisconsin resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $61,780 buys in Milwaukee, WI
Prices in Milwaukee, WI are 3.1% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 3% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median graphic designer's $49,883 take-home pay has the buying power of $51,459 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Graphic Designer jobs are about as common in Milwaukee, WI as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 1.15).
Best-paying cities for graphic designers, adjusted for cost of living
Milwaukee, WI ranks #36 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 |
| 36 | Milwaukee, WI | $61,780 | $49,883 | $51,459 |
*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
- Madison, WI — $63,970
Frequently asked questions
How much does a graphic designer make in Milwaukee, WI?
The median graphic designer salary in the Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI metro area is $61,780 a year, or about $29.70 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $49,140 and $75,480.
What is a graphic designer’s take-home pay in Milwaukee, WI?
On the median $61,780 salary, a single filer living in Wisconsin takes home about $49,883 a year ($4,157 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $1,937 in Wisconsin taxes in 2026.
Is Milwaukee, WI a good place to work as a graphic designer?
Pay here is 2% below the national median of $62,960. Local prices are 3.1% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $51,459 would in a typical U.S. city. Milwaukee, WI ranks #36 of 64 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a graphic designer afford rent in Milwaukee, WI?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Milwaukee, WI is $1,119 a month ($1,338 for two bedrooms) — 27% of a median graphic designer’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Milwaukee, WI
- Commercial and Industrial Designer — $80,590
- Public Relations Specialist — $65,520
- Interpreter and Translator — $64,700
- Producer and Director — $63,320
- Coach and Scout — $46,520
- Merchandise Displayer and Window Trimmer — $40,070