Graphic Designer salary in Chico, CA
Graphic Designers in the Chico, CA metro area earn a median of $58,040 a year ($27.90 an hour), based on BLS data for 70 workers.
Pay ranges from $39,460 for the lowest-paid 10% to $97,780 for the top 10%. That is 8% lower than the national median of $62,960. Pay here is 23% lower than the California statewide median of $75,130. There are 0.84 graphic designers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.66). The average (mean) salary is $63,400, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for graphic designers in Chico, CA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $39,460 | $18.97 |
| 25th percentile | $47,310 | $22.75 |
| Median | $58,040 | $27.90 |
| 75th percentile | $73,880 | $35.52 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $97,780 | $47.01 |
| Average (mean) | $63,400 | $30.48 |
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 | $4,836.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,418.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,232.31 |
| Weekly | $1,116.15 |
| Hourly | $27.90 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Graphic Designer salary in other metro areas nearby
| 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 |
| 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 |
See Graphic Designer pay in every state or the California statewide figures.
Related jobs in Chico, CA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $42,820 | $20.59 |
| Public Relations Specialist | $73,890 | $35.52 |
| Editor | $67,390 | $32.40 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Chico, CA
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 Chico, CA?
The median salary for graphic designers in the Chico, CA metro area is $58,040 a year, or $27.90 an hour. Pay ranges from $39,460 for the lowest-paid 10% to $97,780 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid graphic designers make in Chico, CA?
The top 10% of graphic designers in the Chico, CA metro area earn at least $97,780 a year. The top 25% earn $73,880 or more.
What is the starting pay for graphic designers in Chico, CA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $39,460 a year, and a quarter of graphic designers earn $47,310 or less.
How many graphic designers work in Chico, CA?
About 70 graphic designers are employed in the Chico, CA metro area, not counting the self-employed.