SOC 27-1024 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Graphic Designers — Traverse City
Traverse City, MI · 10 metro areas compared
The median wage for Graphic Designers in Traverse City, MI is $49,940 per year, 20.7% below the national median of $62,960.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
The median wage for Graphic Designers in Traverse City, MI is $49,940 per year, 20.7% below the national median of $62,960. Half of workers earn between $43,790 and $63,640. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $33,590 and the ninetieth at $74,960.
The area has 90 jobs in this occupation, which works out to 1.4 of every thousand jobs. Within the state, Detroit records the highest median at $60,210. Of the 292 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 165th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $33,590 | −46.6% |
| 25th | $43,790 | −30.4% |
| Median (50th) | $49,940 | −20.7% |
| 75th | $63,640 | +1.1% |
| 90th | $74,960 | +19.1% |
| Mean | $54,340 | −13.7% |
Other metro areas in Michigan
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Detroit | $60,210 | 2,710 | |
| 2 | Jackson | $60,010 | 50 | |
| 3 | Lansing | $59,990 | 320 | |
| 4 | Battle Creek | $59,040 | 40 | |
| 5 | Niles | $58,420 | 90 | |
| 6 | Grand Rapids | $57,870 | 730 | |
| 7 | Kalamazoo | $57,820 | 150 | |
| 8 | Ann Arbor | $55,020 | 280 | |
| 9 | Flint | $49,410 | 110 | |
| 10 | Muskegon | $48,500 | 50 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Traverse City run 3.8% below the national average, so the median of $49,940 goes as far as $51,913 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 17.5% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$49,940as reported by BLSLocal price level
96.2US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$51,913US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $49,940 a year, 20.7% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $33,590 to $74,960 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 90 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Detroit, at $60,210.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Graphic Designers in Traverse City, MI?
The median annual wage is $49,940, or $24.01 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $62,960, so pay in Traverse City, MI is 20.7% lower. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in Traverse City, MI earns more than $74,960 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $33,590 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in Detroit, at $60,210 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 90 jobs in this occupation in Traverse City, MI. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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