Know your market value with insights across roles — from individual contributors to executive pay and overall company compensation trends.
Access a suite of powerful calculators to make data-driven career decisions.
Automate pay cycles, manage job architectures, and ensure pay equity with AI-powered compensation platforms.
Access validated salary benchmarks, labor market trends, and minimum wage data to stay competitive.
Participate in and purchase industry-specific salary surveys to obtain the most accurate, peer-reported pay data.
As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Professional Graphic Designer in California is $77,165 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $37.
However, a Professional Graphic Designer's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
Compensation Planning
Develop a Job Description
Pay Equity
2026 Compensation Trend
AI Onboarding
Recruit with AI
Professional Graphic Designer Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $83,671 | $6,973 | $1,609 | $40 |
| Average | $77,165 | $6,430 | $1,484 | $37 |
| 25th Percentile | $70,176 | $5,848 | $1,350 | $34 |
Jack Morton Worldwide - San Francisco, CA
Douglas Emmett - Santa Monica, CA
Xponential Fitness - Irvine, CA
YOUNG LA TRADING CO LLC - Los Angeles, CA
A Professional Graphic Designer's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
Experience is a primary driver of a Professional Graphic Designer's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here’s how the average salary grows at different career stages:
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Graphic D... Level Professional Graphic Designer | $67,102 |
| Professio... Level Professional Graphic Designer | $78,621 |
| Graphic D... Level Professional Graphic Designer | $95,449 |
| Graphic D... Level Professional Graphic Designer | $117,874 |
| Graphic D... Level Professional Graphic Designer | $138,572 |
What Am I Worth?
Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Professional Graphic Designers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:
For Professional Graphic Designer roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 70% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Financial Services and Software & Networking sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 30% above the average. In contrast, Professional Graphic Designer positions in Transportation or Hospitality & Leisure typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Professional Graphic Designer as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Financial Services | $100,315 | $48.0 | 30% |
| Software & Networking | $100,315 | $48.0 | 30% |
| Internet | $96,457 | $46.0 | 25% |
| Biotechnology | $92,598 | $45.0 | 20% |
| Pharmaceuticals | $92,598 | $45.0 | 20% |
Understanding how a Professional Graphic Designer's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $83,671 | $6,973 | $1,609 | $40 |
| Average | $77,165 | $6,430 | $1,484 | $37 |
| 25th Percentile | $70,176 | $5,848 | $1,350 | $34 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Professional Graphic Designer job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
Image 360
Palm Desert, CA
Image 360 | Palm Desert, CA
Job Description. Job Description. Are you looking for a great opportunity to join a growing team. If so, we are looking for talented, creative, and detail-... more
5 Days Ago
K-1 Speed Inc
Irvine, CA
K-1 Speed Inc | Irvine, CA
Job Description. Job Description. We have an immediate opening for an experienced graphic designer / Illustrator in our Marketing Department. K1 Speed is s... more
5 Days Ago
cabi, LLC
Long Beach, CA
cabi, LLC | Long Beach, CA
Job Description. Job Description. At Cabi, we're redefining what it means to build a fashion brand, one rooted in connection, confidence, and purpose. As a... more
5 Days Ago
cabi, LLC
Huntington Beach, CA
cabi, LLC | Huntington Beach, CA
Job Description. Job Description. At Cabi, we're redefining what it means to build a fashion brand, one rooted in connection, confidence, and purpose. As a... more
5 Days Ago
Quite Remarkable
Beverly Hills, CA
Quite Remarkable | Beverly Hills, CA
Job Description. Job Description. About Quite Remarkable. Quite Remarkable is a global travel platform designed for those who value discovery, culture, and... more
5 Days Ago
Kinder's
Walnut Creek, CA
Kinder's | Walnut Creek, CA
Job Description. Job Description. BUILT ON FLAVOR. FUELED BY PEOPLE. What's it like to work at Kinder's. Well, there's a lot of snacking and geeking out ov... more
6 Days Ago
Get a Salary Increase
Analyze the market and your qualifications to negotiate your salary with confidence.
Search Job Openings
Search thousands of open positions to find your next opportunity.
Adjust Employee Salary
Individualize employee pay based on unique job requirements and personal qualifications.
Price My Industry Jobs
Get the latest market price for benchmark jobs and jobs in your industry.
Use Salary.com's Cost of Living Calculator to find out what income you need to maintain your standard of living in a different city and how much more or less money you need to budget for basic expenses.
Explore Cost of Living CalculatorSalary.com experts will help you thrive your workplaces.
Salary.com provides salary survey data for thousands of industry Jobs.
Salary.com salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons are derived from both employer job postings and third-party data sources. We also provide multiple percentiles of salary information for your reference, click here to know Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial to Getting Pay Equity Right. With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target.
Salary.com's CompAnalyst platform offers:
