How much does a designer make in California?
$65,420a year
Median yearly pay for designers in California. That is $31.45 an hour or $5,452 a month.
- Hourly
- $31.45
- Vs. national median
- +1%
- Rank among states
- 12 of 26
- Jobs in the state
- 3,110
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $49,050Median: $65,420Highest 10%: $140,400
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $49,050 | $23.58 | |
| 25th | $51,020 | $24.53 | |
| Median | $65,420 | $31.45 | |
| 75th | $103,100 | $49.55 | |
| 90th | $140,400 | $67.51 |
Cities in California
Metro areas, median yearly pay.
| San Jose, CA | $129,100 |
| San Francisco, CA | $103,000 |
| Sacramento, CA | $84,180 |
| San Diego, CA | $76,070 |
| Riverside, CA | $65,370 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $58,930 |
Nearby in the ranking
States with similar pay for designers.
| 9. Indiana | $66,580 |
| 10. Colorado | $65,630 |
| 11. Florida | $65,510 |
| 12. California | $65,420 |
| 13. Oregon | $61,070 |
| 14. Maryland | $60,910 |
| 15. Virginia | $60,000 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a designer make an hour in California?
The median hourly pay in California is $31.45 ($65,420 a year).
Do designers make more in California than the national average?
Yes: $65,420 against $64,950 nationally, 1% more.
Where does California rank for designer pay?
California ranks 12 of 26 states.
Which city in California pays designers the most?
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA, with a median of $129,100 a year.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS): pay in May 2025, published by BLS in 2026. Hourly pay is the yearly figure divided by 2,080 hours.