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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Creative Lead in California is $137,121 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $66.
However, a Creative Lead's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Creative Lead Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $151,837 | $12,653 | $2,920 | $73 |
| Average | $137,121 | $11,427 | $2,637 | $66 |
| 25th Percentile | $119,528 | $9,961 | $2,299 | $57 |
Dream Park Immersive, Inc. - Santa Clara, CA
TubeScience - Los Angeles, CA
Disneyland Hong Kong - Glendale, CA
Retell AI - San Carlos, CA
A Creative Lead'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.
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 Leads. 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 Lead roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 55% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Software & Networking and Internet sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 30% above the average. In contrast, Creative Lead positions in Media or Hospitality & Leisure typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Creative Lead as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Software & Networking | $178,257 | $86.0 | 30% |
| Internet | $164,545 | $79.0 | 20% |
| Healthcare | $157,689 | $76.0 | 15% |
| Biotechnology | $150,833 | $73.0 | 10% |
| Chemicals | $150,833 | $73.0 | 10% |
Understanding how a Creative Lead'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 | $151,837 | $12,653 | $2,920 | $73 |
| Average | $137,121 | $11,427 | $2,637 | $66 |
| 25th Percentile | $119,528 | $9,961 | $2,299 | $57 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Creative Lead job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
Dept
San Francisco, CA
Dept | San Francisco, CA
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Glendale, CA
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DreamPark Immersive, Inc.
San Jose, CA
DreamPark Immersive, Inc. | San Jose, CA
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Robert Half
Los Angeles, CA
Robert Half | Los Angeles, CA
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South San Francisco, CA
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About the Role. We are looking for a Creative Director to lead the medical content track. This role sits at the intersection of creative craft and scientif... more
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eJam
Santa Ana, CA
eJam | Santa Ana, CA
Job Description. Job Description. Location. Santa Ana, California — On-site, 5 days/week. Job Type. Full-time. Salary. $70,000. About Us. eJam is a bootstr... more
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