California Median
$100,770
per year
Hourly Rate
$48.45
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+20% vs US median
US median $83,910
State Rank
#5 of 41
5,300 employed here
How much do Commercial and Industrial Designers make in California?
Commercial and Industrial Designers in California take home a median of $100,770 annually — roughly $48.45 an hour — which runs 20% above the national median of $83,910.
Within California, entry-level pay starts around $62,860 while the top 10% make $168,490 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $76,060 and $133,190 a year.
Commercial and Industrial Designers salary range in California
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $62,860 | $30.22 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $76,060 | $36.57 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $100,770 | $48.45 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $133,190 | $64.03 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $168,490 | $81.00 |
|
How California compares
California ranks 5th out of 41 states and territories for Commercial and Industrial Designers pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Commercial and Industrial Designers salary in other states
Kansas $104,870Michigan $102,160Massachusetts $101,720Rhode Island $101,140Louisiana $98,040Minnesota $94,370Washington $94,280Arkansas $92,540Georgia $91,360Colorado $90,590New Jersey $90,310New York $89,640Indiana $88,040Pennsylvania $82,610Virginia $82,230Connecticut $81,300Idaho $80,730Vermont $80,690North Carolina $80,620Wisconsin $80,590Ohio $79,470Florida $78,720South Carolina $77,300Oregon $76,970Nevada $76,680Oklahoma $76,640Arizona $76,420Kentucky $76,100Missouri $75,440New Hampshire $74,050West Virginia $73,030Montana $72,990Nebraska $71,570Tennessee $71,230Maryland $70,870Iowa $70,420Alabama $63,640New Mexico $62,710Utah $62,620South Dakota $60,110
Working as Commercial and Industrial Designers in California
Nationally, about 33,000 people work as Commercial and Industrial Designers in the United States. A bachelor's degree (about 4 years of college) is the standard entry requirement.
Considering a move? Compare California pay ($100,770) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.
Frequently asked questions
How much do Commercial and Industrial Designers make in California?
The median Commercial and Industrial Designers salary in California is $100,770 per year, or about $48.45 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $62,860 at the entry level to $168,490 for the top 10% of earners.
How does California pay compare to the national average?
California pays Commercial and Industrial Designers about 20% more than the national median of $83,910. California ranks 5th out of 41 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is California a good state for Commercial and Industrial Designers?
Yes on pay — California pays above the national median for this occupation, at $100,770 a year. About 5,300 Commercial and Industrial Designers are employed in California. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in California?
The highest-paying occupations in California include Ophthalmologist, Except Pediatric ($400,150), Neurologist ($357,080), Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers ($353,900), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Commercial and Industrial Designers salary report
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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.