Commercial and Industrial Designers salary in California
Commercial and Industrial Designers in California earn a median of $100,770 a year ($48.45 an hour), based on BLS data for 5,300 workers.
Pay ranges from $62,860 for the lowest-paid 10% to $168,490 for the top 10%. That is 20% higher than the national median of $83,910. California ranks 5th of 41 states for commercial and industrial designers pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.29 commercial and industrial designers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.4× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $108,400, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for commercial and industrial designers in California
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $62,860 | $30.22 |
| 25th percentile | $76,060 | $36.57 |
| Median | $100,770 | $48.45 |
| 75th percentile | $133,190 | $64.04 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $168,490 | $81.00 |
| Average (mean) | $108,400 | $52.12 |
Half of commercial and industrial designers earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $8,397.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,198.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,875.77 |
| Weekly | $1,937.88 |
| Hourly | $48.45 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $100,770 salary, see how much house you can afford in California at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Commercial and Industrial Designers salary in cities in California
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $141,310 | 410 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $104,000 | 1,250 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $99,650 | 430 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $96,260 | 2,080 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $95,800 | 70 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | $95,170 | 40 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $86,120 | 130 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $80,300 | 290 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | $79,540 | 40 |
| Fresno, CA | $67,650 | 50 |
Highest-paying states for commercial and industrial designers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Kansas | $104,870 |
| Michigan | $102,160 |
| Massachusetts | $101,720 |
| Rhode Island | $101,140 |
| California | $100,770 |
| Louisiana | $98,040 |
| Minnesota | $94,370 |
| Washington | $94,280 |
| Arkansas | $92,540 |
| Georgia | $91,360 |
Related jobs in California
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Graphic Designer | $75,130 | $36.12 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $47,010 | $22.60 |
| Art Director | $137,780 | $66.24 |
| Interior Designer | $80,230 | $38.57 |
| Special Effects Artists and Animators | $130,540 | $62.76 |
| Floral Designer | $47,040 | $22.61 |
| Designers, All Other | $65,420 | $31.45 |
| Set and Exhibit Designers | $105,030 | $50.49 |
| Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators | $58,240 | $28.00 |
| Artists and Related Workers, All Other | $60,540 | $29.11 |
| Craft Artist | $100,540 | $48.34 |
| Producers and Directors | $129,790 | $62.40 |
| Public Relations Specialist | $85,030 | $40.88 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $47,660 | — |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in California
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 27-1021. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a commercial and industrial designers make in California?
The median salary for commercial and industrial designers in California is $100,770 a year, or $48.45 an hour. Pay ranges from $62,860 for the lowest-paid 10% to $168,490 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid commercial and industrial designers make in California?
The top 10% of commercial and industrial designers in California earn at least $168,490 a year. The top 25% earn $133,190 or more.
What is the starting pay for commercial and industrial designers in California?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $62,860 a year, and a quarter of commercial and industrial designers earn $76,060 or less.
How many commercial and industrial designers work in California?
About 5,300 commercial and industrial designers are employed in California, not counting the self-employed.