Graphic Designer salary in California
Graphic Designers in California earn a median of $75,130 a year ($36.12 an hour), based on BLS data for 27,390 workers.
Pay ranges from $46,190 for the lowest-paid 10% to $129,560 for the top 10%. That is 19% higher than the national median of $62,960. California ranks 5th of 51 states for graphic designers pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 1.5 graphic designers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $86,800, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for graphic designers in California
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $46,190 | $22.21 |
| 25th percentile | $55,500 | $26.68 |
| Median | $75,130 | $36.12 |
| 75th percentile | $99,240 | $47.71 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $129,560 | $62.29 |
| Average (mean) | $86,800 | $41.73 |
Half of graphic designers earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $6,260.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,130.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,889.62 |
| Weekly | $1,444.81 |
| Hourly | $36.12 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Graphic Designer salary in cities in California
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $97,360 | 1,280 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $92,050 | 3,870 |
| Napa, CA | $79,090 | 60 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | $78,500 | 210 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $75,750 | 210 |
| Vallejo, CA | $74,800 | 90 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $74,680 | 920 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $72,400 | 13,810 |
| Modesto, CA | $69,110 | 140 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $67,300 | 390 |
| Salinas, CA | $66,940 | 80 |
| Visalia, CA | $66,040 | 70 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $65,900 | 1,370 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | $64,510 | 90 |
| Merced, CA | $63,340 | 30 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | $61,970 | 160 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | $61,030 | 150 |
| Fresno, CA | $58,280 | 250 |
| Chico, CA | $58,040 | 70 |
| El Centro, CA | $49,190 | 30 |
Highest-paying states for graphic designers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $87,920 |
| Rhode Island | $78,220 |
| New York | $77,340 |
| Massachusetts | $76,710 |
| California | $75,130 |
| Maryland | $75,120 |
| New Jersey | $73,790 |
| Washington | $72,710 |
| Connecticut | $72,700 |
| Virginia | $72,310 |
Related jobs in California
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $47,010 | $22.60 |
| Art Director | $137,780 | $66.24 |
| Interior Designer | $80,230 | $38.57 |
| Special Effects Artists and Animators | $130,540 | $62.76 |
| Commercial and Industrial Designers | $100,770 | $48.45 |
| Floral Designer | $47,040 | $22.61 |
| Designers, All Other | $65,420 | $31.45 |
| Set and Exhibit Designers | $105,030 | $50.49 |
| Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators | $58,240 | $28.00 |
| Artists and Related Workers, All Other | $60,540 | $29.11 |
| Craft Artist | $100,540 | $48.34 |
| Producers and Directors | $129,790 | $62.40 |
| Public Relations Specialist | $85,030 | $40.88 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $47,660 | — |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in California
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 27-1024. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a graphic designer make in California?
The median salary for graphic designers in California is $75,130 a year, or $36.12 an hour. Pay ranges from $46,190 for the lowest-paid 10% to $129,560 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid graphic designers make in California?
The top 10% of graphic designers in California earn at least $129,560 a year. The top 25% earn $99,240 or more.
What is the starting pay for graphic designers in California?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $46,190 a year, and a quarter of graphic designers earn $55,500 or less.
How many graphic designers work in California?
About 27,390 graphic designers are employed in California, not counting the self-employed.