How much does a graphic designer make in California?
$75,130a year
Median yearly pay for graphic designers in California. That is $36.12 an hour or $6,261 a month.
- Hourly
- $36.12
- Vs. national median
- +19%
- Rank among states
- 5 of 51
- Jobs in the state
- 27,390
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $46,190Median: $75,130Highest 10%: $129,600
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $46,190 | $22.21 | |
| 25th | $55,500 | $26.68 | |
| Median | $75,130 | $36.12 | |
| 75th | $99,240 | $47.71 | |
| 90th | $129,600 | $62.29 |
Cities in California
Metro areas, median yearly pay.
| San Jose, CA | $97,360 |
| San Francisco, CA | $92,050 |
| Napa, CA | $79,090 |
| Santa Maria, CA | $78,500 |
| Santa Rosa, CA | $75,750 |
| Vallejo, CA | $74,800 |
| Sacramento, CA | $74,680 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $72,400 |
| Modesto, CA | $69,110 |
| Oxnard, CA | $67,300 |
| Salinas, CA | $66,940 |
| Visalia, CA | $66,040 |
| Riverside, CA | $65,900 |
| Santa Cruz, CA | $64,510 |
| Merced, CA | $63,340 |
| Bakersfield, CA | $61,970 |
| Stockton, CA | $61,030 |
| Fresno, CA | $58,280 |
| Chico, CA | $58,040 |
| El Centro, CA | $49,190 |
Nearby in the ranking
States with similar pay for graphic designers.
| 2. Rhode Island | $78,220 |
| 3. New York | $77,340 |
| 4. Massachusetts | $76,710 |
| 5. California | $75,130 |
| 6. Maryland | $75,120 |
| 7. New Jersey | $73,790 |
| 8. Washington | $72,710 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a graphic designer make an hour in California?
The median hourly pay in California is $36.12 ($75,130 a year).
Do graphic designers make more in California than the national average?
Yes: $75,130 against $62,960 nationally, 19% more.
Where does California rank for graphic designer pay?
California ranks 5 of 51 states.
Which city in California pays graphic designers the most?
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA, with a median of $97,360 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.