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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Creative Designer in California is $67,679 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $33.
However, a Creative Designer's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Creative Designer Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $74,270 | $6,189 | $1,428 | $36 |
| Average | $67,679 | $5,640 | $1,302 | $33 |
| 25th Percentile | $59,607 | $4,967 | $1,146 | $29 |
InBody - Cerritos, CA
Promenade Group - Santa Monica, CA
Maisa AI - Concord, CA
Outform Group, Inc. - Union City, CA
A Creative 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 Creative 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 |
|---|---|
| Creative ... Level Creative Designer | $67,194 |
| Graphic D... Level Creative Designer | $78,729 |
| Graphic D... Level Creative Designer | $95,581 |
| Graphic D... Level Creative Designer | $118,036 |
| Graphic D... Level Creative Designer | $138,763 |
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 Creative 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 Creative Designer roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 40% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Aerospace & Defense and Business Services sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, Creative Designer positions in Biotechnology or Transportation typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Creative Designer as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aerospace & Defense | $81,215 | $39.0 | 20% |
Understanding how a Creative 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 | $74,270 | $6,189 | $1,428 | $36 |
| Average | $67,679 | $5,640 | $1,302 | $33 |
| 25th Percentile | $59,607 | $4,967 | $1,146 | $29 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Creative Designer job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
Minnesotamuseums
Joshua Tree, CA
Minnesotamuseums | Joshua Tree, CA
Designer or Senior Designer, Push Play Creative (remote or hybrid)Push Play Creative is looking for a talented and versatile mid-level Designer or Senior D... more
3 Days Ago
Home and Body company
Huntington Beach, CA
Home and Body company | Huntington Beach, CA
Job Description. Job Description. About Us. Home and Body Company is a dynamic and innovative company at the forefront of integrating technology and creati... more
2 Days Ago
TP-Link Systems Inc.
Irvine, CA
TP-Link Systems Inc. | Irvine, CA
Job Description. Job Description. About Us: . Headquartered in the United States, TP-Link Systems Inc. is a global provider of reliable networking devices ... more
4 Days Ago
Archipelago Companies
Irvine, CA
Archipelago Companies | Irvine, CA
Job Description. Job Description. Salary: $75,000 - $105,000. Who We Are. At OluKai, we build premium products for the ocean lifestyle. Our footwear is cre... more
4 Days Ago
Sonos Inc
Santa Barbara, CA
Sonos Inc | Santa Barbara, CA
A leading audio technology company is seeking a talented designer to lead the creation of brand touchpoints and collaborate with diverse teams.You will nee... more
6 Days Ago
Confidential Recruiting Partners
San Jose, CA
Confidential Recruiting Partners | San Jose, CA
Our client is seeking a Mid-Senior Level Designer to join our internal Creative Studio team.Reporting to the Creative Director, you'll bring our brand to l... more
3 Days Ago
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