California Median
$75,130
per year
Hourly Rate
$36.12
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+19% vs US median
US median $62,960
State Rank
#5 of 51
27,390 employed here
How much does a Graphic Designer make in California?
A Graphic Designer working in California earns a median salary of $75,130 per year, or about $36.12 per hour. That is 19% above the national median of $62,960 for this occupation.
Within California, entry-level pay starts around $46,190 while the top 10% make $129,560 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $55,500 and $99,240 a year.
Graphic Designer salary range in California
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $46,190 | $22.21 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $55,500 | $26.68 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $75,130 | $36.12 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $99,240 | $47.71 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $129,560 | $62.29 |
|
How California compares
California ranks 5th out of 51 states and territories for Graphic Designer pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Graphic Designer salary in other states
District of Columbia $87,920Rhode Island $78,220New York $77,340Massachusetts $76,710Maryland $75,120New Jersey $73,790Washington $72,710Connecticut $72,700Virginia $72,310Colorado $66,330Oregon $66,040Vermont $65,690Minnesota $63,860Nevada $62,890Alaska $62,570Illinois $62,560Utah $62,310Florida $61,660Pennsylvania $60,730New Hampshire $60,490Georgia $60,250Texas $60,150Delaware $60,130Ohio $60,080Maine $60,030Wisconsin $59,900Arizona $58,510North Carolina $58,450Hawaii $58,070Michigan $57,350Tennessee $57,270South Carolina $57,170Montana $56,890Missouri $56,750New Mexico $56,730Nebraska $56,700North Dakota $56,470Indiana $55,480Kansas $53,630Oklahoma $53,630Kentucky $52,960Alabama $51,070Idaho $50,350Iowa $50,310Louisiana $49,910South Dakota $48,390Arkansas $46,220Mississippi $45,640Wyoming $45,150West Virginia $40,350
Working as a Graphic Designer in California
Nationally, about 198,000 people work as Graphic 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 ($75,130) 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 does a Graphic Designer make in California?
The median Graphic Designer salary in California is $75,130 per year, or about $36.12 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $46,190 at the entry level to $129,560 for the top 10% of earners.
How does California pay compare to the national average?
California pays Graphic Designers about 19% more than the national median of $62,960. California ranks 5th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is California a good state for Graphic Designers?
Yes on pay — California pays above the national median for this occupation, at $75,130 a year. About 27,390 Graphic 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 Graphic Designer 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.