Salaries › Graphic Designer › California
Graphic Designer Salary in California (2026)
$36.12 per hour · take-home ≈ $58,733/year ($4,894/month) for a single filer
California is among the top 5 highest-paying states for Graphic Designers (5th of 51), with a median about 16% above the national average. Of the 27,390 Graphic Designer jobs BLS counts in California, the typical worker earns $75,130 a year — though pay ranges from $46,190 for newcomers to $129,560 at the top.
Graphic Designer pay range in California
| Percentile | Annual wage | Meaning |
| 10th percentile (entry) | $46,190 | Lowest-paid 10% earn less than this |
| 25th percentile | $55,500 | A quarter earn less |
| Median (50th) | $75,130 | Half earn more, half earn less |
| 75th percentile | $99,240 | Top quarter starts here |
| 90th percentile (top) | $129,560 | Highest-paid 10% earn more than this |
BLS reports 27,390 Graphic Designer jobs in California (occupation code 27-1024, “Graphic Designers”).
Gross vs. take-home in California
A median Graphic Designer salary of $75,130 doesn’t all reach your bank account. After federal income tax, Social Security, and Medicare, plus California state income tax, a single filer keeps about $58,733 — an effective tax rate of 21.8%.
| Gross (median) | $75,130 |
| Federal income tax | −$7,699 |
| Social Security + Medicare | −$5,747 |
| California state income tax | −$2,951 |
| Take-home (annual) | $58,733 |
| Take-home (monthly) | $4,894 |
Want your exact numbers — married, 401(k), different salary? Use the free California paycheck calculator on PaycheckTally.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does a Graphic Designer make in California?
- The median Graphic Designer salary in California is $75,130 per year ($36.12 per hour) according to the latest BLS data. The middle 50% earn between $55,500 and $99,240.
- What is the take-home pay for a Graphic Designer in California?
- On the median salary of $75,130, a single filer in California takes home about $58,733 per year ($4,894 per month) after federal tax, FICA, and state income tax — an effective tax rate of 21.8%.
- How many Graphic Designer jobs are there in California?
- BLS counts 27,390 Graphic Designer jobs in California in the latest survey (May 2025).
Top-paying states for Graphic Designers
Other salaries in California
Sources and methodology
Wage and employment figures: BLS OEWS May 2025 (state file, released April 2026) — the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey, the most authoritative public salary dataset. Take-home estimate: 2026 federal brackets, FICA, and verified California state tax rules (single filer, standard deduction, no credits or local taxes). Estimates only — not financial advice.
- BLS OEWS — official occupational wage data.
- PaycheckTally — interactive 2026 take-home calculator for California.