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How much does a graphic designer make in Santa Cruz?

$64,510a year

Median yearly pay for graphic designers in the Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA metro area. That is $31.01 an hour or $5,376 a month.

Hourly
$31.01
Vs. national median
+2%
Rank among cities
51 of 346
Jobs in the area
90
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $42,260Median: $64,510Highest 10%: $108,300
PercentileYearlyHourly
10th$42,260$20.32
25th$48,130$23.14
Median$64,510$31.01
75th$89,000$42.79
90th$108,300$52.06

Other cities in California

Median yearly pay for graphic designers.

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
Bakersfield, CA$61,970
Stockton, CA$61,030
Fresno, CA$58,280
Chico, CA$58,040
Graphic Designer salary in California Graphic Designer salary in all states

Related jobs in Santa Cruz

Same field, median yearly pay.

Public Relations Specialist$83,180
Producer and Director$77,530
Coach and Scout$48,380
Merchandise Displayer and Window Trimmer$44,260
Salaries for every job in Santa Cruz, CA

Frequently asked questions

How much does a graphic designer make an hour in Santa Cruz?

The median hourly pay in the Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA metro area is $31.01 ($64,510 a year).

Do graphic designers make more in Santa Cruz than the national average?

Yes: $64,510 against $62,960 nationally, 2% more.

How does Santa Cruz compare with the rest of California?

The median in California is $75,130, so Santa Cruz pays 14% less.

Where does Santa Cruz rank for graphic designer pay?

51 of 346 metro areas with data.

How much does a graphic designer make starting out in Santa Cruz?

The lowest-paid 10% make $42,260 or less a year; the top 10% make $108,300 or more.

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.