Average Graphic Designer Salary in California

Creative · Updated 2024 · Based on BLS and industry data

Salary Overview

The average Graphic Designer in California earns $67,500 per year, which is above the national average of $59,970. This translates to approximately $32.45 per hour, $2,596 biweekly, or $5,625 per month before taxes.

The cost of living in California is 42% above the national average, which explains the higher salary levels needed to maintain purchasing power.

Salary Range

Percentile	Annual Salary	Hourly Rate
Entry Level (25th)	$50,600	$24.33
Average (50th)	$67,500	$32.45
Experienced (75th)	$77,600	$37.32
Top Earners (90th)	$87,800	$42.21

Graphic Designer Salary by City in California

City	Average Salary	Monthly
Los Angeles	$72,900	$6,075/mo
San Francisco	$68,800	$5,733/mo
San Diego	$66,200	$5,517/mo
San Jose	$64,100	$5,342/mo
Sacramento	$62,800	$5,233/mo

Career Quick Facts

Detail	Information
Job Category	Creative
Typical Education	Bachelor's degree
Job Growth (2022-2032)	3% (nationwide)
State Income Tax	1%-13.3% (9 brackets + mental health surcharge)
State Minimum Wage	$16.00/hr
Cost of Living Index	1.42 (+42% vs national avg)

Top Employers in California

Major employers hiring Graphic Designers in California include Kaiser Permanente, Google, Apple, Walt Disney, and Chevron. These companies and organizations offer competitive salaries and benefits packages for creative professionals.

Calculate Your California Take-Home Pay

Want to see your actual paycheck after taxes? Use our free California Take-Home Pay Calculator to see exactly how much you'll take home based on your salary, filing status, and deductions.