Graphic Designers Pay Range in California
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$46,190
- 25th Percentile — Junior$55,500
- 50th Percentile — Median$75,130
- 75th Percentile — Senior$99,240
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$129,560
Half of Graphic Designers in California earn more than $75,130. The top 10% make $129,560 or more, while entry-level workers start around $46,190.
Graphic Designers in California: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- California ranks 2nd of 51 states for Graphic Designers pay, at $86,800 per year (23.0% above the U.S. average of $70,560).
- 27,390 people work as Graphic Designers in California — 13.8% of all U.S. Graphic Designers jobs.
- Location quotient 1.18: Graphic Designers jobs are more concentrated in California than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $46,190; the top 10% earn over $129,560.
- Hourly equivalent: $41.73 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is District of Columbia at $94,630.
- Among creative jobs in California, Art Directors pays the most ($156,060).
Graphic Designers Job Market in California
Key factors affecting compensation
California's key industries are Technology, Entertainment, Agriculture, and its job market is rated very strong. Graphic Designers here earn $86,800 on average, placing the state 2nd nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 1.42 (U.S. = 1.00), a California salary of $86,800 is roughly equivalent to $61,127 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, District of Columbia ($94,630), Oregon ($85,140), New York ($82,410) are the closest alternatives for Graphic Designers weighing a move.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025
Other Creative Jobs in California
Related career salary benchmarks
- Art Directors $156,060/yr California +79.8% vs this role
- Producers and Directors $155,750/yr California +79.4% vs this role
- Special Effects Artists and Animators $134,360/yr California +54.8% vs this role
- Editors $111,810/yr California +28.8% vs this role
- Writers and Authors $106,560/yr California +22.8% vs this role
- Camera Operators Television Video Motion Picture $106,350/yr California +22.5% vs this role
- Public Relations Specialists $97,140/yr California +11.9% vs this role
- Interior Designers $89,740/yr California +3.4% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Graphic Designers salary in California?
The average Graphic Designers salary in California is $86,800 per year (median $75,130), which is 23.0% above the national average of $70,560.
How does California rank for Graphic Designers pay?
California ranks 2nd out of 51 states. The highest-paying state is District of Columbia ($94,630/yr).
How much do entry-level Graphic Designers make in California?
The lowest-paid 10% of Graphic Designers in California earn about $46,190 per year and the 25th percentile is $55,500.
How much do Graphic Designers make per hour in California?
About $41.73 per hour, based on the $86,800 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Graphic Designers work in California?
BLS counts 27,390 Graphic Designers jobs in California (OEWS May 2025).
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