Based on the latest Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data — updated September 10, 2026.
| Michigan | National | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median annual salary | $57,350 | $64,771 | -11% |
| Median hourly wage | $27.57 | $31.14 | -11% |
Adjusted for local price levels (100 = national average), the cost-adjusted median is $59,615.
| City | Median | Entry Level | Experienced | Cost of Living |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Detroit | $56,014 | $37,200 | $74,400 | 90 |
The median annual salary for a Graphic Designer in Michigan is $57,350, or about $27.57 per hour, according to BLS OEWS data.
The national median for Graphic Designers is $64,771. Michigan is -11% below the national median.
Entry-level graphic designers in Michigan typically earn from $37,200 depending on the city and employer.
With 6,070 graphic designer jobs on record and a median salary of $57,350, Michigan offers competitive pay compared to the rest of the country.
By median annual wage, graphic designers rank 411 of the 774 occupations reported in Michigan — higher than 47% of them.
Among occupations in the same job family, Commercial and Industrial Designers at $102,160, Media and Communication Equipment Workers, All Other at $96,530, Art Directors at $86,660 — all figures are median annual wages for Michigan.
No. Every figure on this page is a gross (pre-tax) wage. Michigan levies a state income tax, so take-home pay is lower than the gross figures shown here. The state's cost of living index is 91.0 (100 = national average).
By median annual wage, graphic designers rank 411 of the 774 occupations reported in Michigan — higher than 47% of them.
| Occupation in the same job family | Median in Michigan | Jobs |
|---|---|---|
| Commercial and Industrial Designers | $102,160 | $2,930 |
| Media and Communication Equipment Workers, All Other | $96,530 | $50 |
| Art Directors | $86,660 | $1,080 |
| Special Effects Artists and Animators | $86,630 | $230 |
| Technical Writers | $85,270 | $970 |
| Producers and Directors | $65,720 | $2,310 |
Michigan levies a state income tax, so take-home pay is lower than the gross figures shown here. The state's cost of living index is 91.0 (100 = national average).
Ranking and comparison figures come from the same BLS OEWS release as the rest of this page, which covers 774 occupations in Michigan.