Graphic Designers pay in California
In California, the median pay for graphic designers is $36.12 an hour ($75,130 a year). About 27,390 people work in this job there.
That is 19% higher than the U.S. median ($62,960). California ranks 5th of 51 states and territories for this job’s median pay.
Pay range for graphic designers in California
| Earns more than | Hourly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| 10% of workers | $22.21 | $46,190 |
| 25% of workers | $26.68 | $55,500 |
| Half of workers (median) | $36.12 | $75,130 |
| 75% of workers | $47.71 | $99,240 |
| 90% of workers | $62.29 | $129,560 |
Graphic Designers pay in California metro areas
| Metro area | Median yearly pay | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara | $97,360 | 1,280 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont | $92,050 | 3,870 |
| Napa | $79,090 | 60 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara | $78,500 | 210 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma | $75,750 | 210 |
| Vallejo | $74,800 | 90 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom | $74,680 | 920 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim | $72,400 | 13,810 |
| Modesto | $69,110 | 140 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura | $67,300 | 390 |
| Salinas | $66,940 | 80 |
| Visalia | $66,040 | 70 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario | $65,900 | 1,370 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville | $64,510 | 90 |
| Merced | $63,340 | 30 |
| Bakersfield-Delano | $61,970 | 160 |
| Stockton-Lodi | $61,030 | 150 |
| Fresno | $58,280 | 250 |
| Chico | $58,040 | 70 |
| El Centro | $49,190 | 30 |
California unemployment rate: 5.1% (August 2026), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Education, experience and outlook for graphic designers
- Typical education to start: Bachelor's degree (BLS)
- Related work experience most have: 2 to 4 years (O*NET)
- Job outlook: -1.7% over ten years, little or no change · about 16,000 openings a year (BLS)
Related jobs in California
| Job | Median yearly pay |
|---|---|
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $47,010 |
| Art Directors | $137,780 |
| Interior Designers | $80,230 |
| Special Effects Artists and Animators | $130,540 |
| Commercial and Industrial Designers | $100,770 |
| Floral Designers | $47,040 |
| Designers, All Other | $65,420 |
| Set and Exhibit Designers | $105,030 |
Other job titles for this job
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Post a job freeFind jobsCheck pay for any jobSource: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates. Figures are for wage and salary workers and do not include the self-employed. The median is the middle wage: half earn more, half earn less. Other job titles: O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license; O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. JAI Bot has modified this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.