Graphic Designers in California
Considering working as a Graphic Designers in California? Below are the key facts. Design or create graphics to meet specific commercial or promotional needs, such as packaging, displays, or logos. May use a variety of mediums to achieve artistic or decorative effects. Excludes “Web and Digital Interface Designers” (15-1255).
What do Graphic Designers Make in California?
For graphic designers working in California, wages run about $76,440 per year (or about $36.75/hour).Earnings range from $44,650 at the 10th percentile to $128,270 at the 90th percentile.
| Wage Statistic | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $44,650 | $21.46 |
| 25th percentile | $57,160 | $27.48 |
| Median (50th) | $76,440 | $36.75 |
| 75th percentile | $99,510 | $47.84 |
| 90th percentile | $128,270 | $61.67 |
The job concentration index in California compared to the national average — is 1.13, indicating that graphic designers are more concentrated here than the national average.
National Wage Comparison
Nationally, graphic designers earn a median of $66,386 per year ($31.92/hour), exceeding the California median.
Employment Outlook
There are roughly 256,099 graphic designers in the U.S.. In California alone, about 28,310 people work in this role. That puts the state above the typical state, which employs around 2,010 graphic designers.
Top California Metros for Graphic Designers
The largest metro-area employers of graphic designers in California.
| Metro Area | Number Employed | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | 14,060 | $75,820 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | 4,050 | $89,490 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | 2,100 | n/a |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | 1,510 | $98,530 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | 1,330 | $62,040 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | 1,070 | $75,470 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | 400 | $65,850 |
| Fresno, CA | 250 | $59,270 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | 230 | $67,990 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | 220 | n/a |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | 160 | $59,160 |
| Modesto, CA | 160 | $70,300 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | 140 | $61,470 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA | 130 | n/a |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | 120 | $64,910 |
| Vallejo, CA | 100 | $66,410 |
| Napa, CA | 90 | $74,460 |
| Chico, CA | 80 | $55,500 |
| Salinas, CA | 80 | $66,970 |
| Visalia, CA | 80 | $60,130 |
| Redding, CA | 60 | $54,720 |
| El Centro, CA | 30 | $60,790 |
| Yuba City, CA | 30 | $62,110 |
Top States for Graphic Designers Employment
View the states that employ the most graphic designers work.
| State | Number Employed |
|---|---|
| California | 28,310 |
| Texas | 19,360 |
| New York | 16,730 |
| Florida | 14,010 |
| Pennsylvania | 8,280 |
| Illinois | 7,900 |
| North Carolina | 7,210 |
| Ohio | 7,010 |
| Michigan | 5,990 |
| New Jersey | 5,870 |
| Virginia | 5,500 |
| Washington | 5,460 |
| Minnesota | 5,460 |
| Georgia | 5,410 |
| Massachusetts | 4,890 |
| Colorado | 4,720 |
| Wisconsin | 4,630 |
| Indiana | 4,480 |
| Arizona | 4,330 |
| Tennessee | 4,190 |
Highest-Paying States for Graphic Designers
These states pay the most for graphic designers.
| State | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $90,710 |
| California | $76,440 |
| Massachusetts | $76,370 |
| Washington | $76,010 |
| New York | $74,530 |
| Virginia | $70,060 |
| New Jersey | $66,600 |
| Colorado | $66,360 |
| Maryland | $66,290 |
| Connecticut | $65,360 |
Skills
The most important graphic designers skills, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Knowledge Areas
Key knowledge areas for this occupation, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Abilities
The abilities that matter most for graphic designers, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Daily Tasks
Graphic Designers typically:
- Key information into computer equipment to create layouts for client or supervisor.
- Review final layouts and suggest improvements, as needed.
- Determine size and arrangement of illustrative material and copy, and select style and size of type.
- Develop graphics and layouts for product illustrations, company logos, and Web sites.
- Create designs, concepts, and sample layouts, based on knowledge of layout principles and esthetic design concepts.
- Use computer software to generate new images.
- Prepare digital files for printing.
- Confer with clients to discuss and determine layout design.
- Research the target audience of projects.
- Draw and print charts, graphs, illustrations, and other artwork, using computer.
- Mark up, paste, and assemble final layouts to prepare layouts for printer.
- Study illustrations and photographs to plan presentation of materials, products, or services.
Work Activities
- Thinking Creatively
- Working with Computers
- Getting Information
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems
- Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
- Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work
- Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
- Communicating with People Outside the Organization
- Providing Consultation and Advice to Others
- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
- Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others
Tools & Technology
Software and systems commonly involved: Hot technologies: Adobe Acrobat, Adobe After Effects, Adobe Creative Cloud software, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe InDesign In-demand technologies: Adobe After Effects, Adobe Creative Cloud software
What Major Will Prepare You For This Career?
Programs that train for this career include:
- Design & Applied Arts
- General Visual & Performing Arts
- Computer Software Applications
Featured schools near , edit
Related Careers
Other careers like graphic designers include:
- Software Developers
- Web Developers
- Web and Digital Interface Designers
- Video Game Designers
- Art Directors
- Craft Artists
Also Known As
Ad Designer (Advertising Designer), Ad Layout Worker (Advertising Layout Worker), Apparel Graphic Designer, Artist, Brand Designer, Catalogue Illustrator, Commercial Artist, Concept Artist, Creative Designer, Design Consultant, Designer, Digital Artist, Forms Designer, Graphic Art Designer, Graphic Artist.
References
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — https://www.bls.gov/oes/
- O*NET Online — https://www.onetonline.org/
- BLS Employment Projections — https://www.bls.gov/emp/
- O*NET-SOC code: 27-1024.00
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