Graphic Designer salary in Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA
Graphic Designers in the Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA metro area earn a median of $74,680 a year ($35.90 an hour), based on BLS data for 920 workers.
Pay ranges from $46,870 for the lowest-paid 10% to $117,870 for the top 10%. That is 19% higher than the national median of $62,960. Pay here is 1% lower than the California statewide median of $75,130. There are 0.85 graphic designers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.67). The average (mean) salary is $80,000, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for graphic designers in Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $46,870 | $22.53 |
| 25th percentile | $59,030 | $28.38 |
| Median | $74,680 | $35.90 |
| 75th percentile | $91,670 | $44.07 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $117,870 | $56.67 |
| Average (mean) | $80,000 | $38.46 |
Half of graphic 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 | $6,223.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,111.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,872.31 |
| Weekly | $1,436.15 |
| Hourly | $35.90 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $74,680 salary, see how much house you can afford in California at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Graphic Designer salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $97,360 | 1,280 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $92,050 | 3,870 |
| Napa, CA | $79,090 | 60 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | $78,500 | 210 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $75,750 | 210 |
| Vallejo, CA | $74,800 | 90 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $72,400 | 13,810 |
| Modesto, CA | $69,110 | 140 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $67,300 | 390 |
| Salinas, CA | $66,940 | 80 |
| Visalia, CA | $66,040 | 70 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $65,900 | 1,370 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | $64,510 | 90 |
| Merced, CA | $63,340 | 30 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | $61,970 | 160 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | $61,030 | 150 |
| Fresno, CA | $58,280 | 250 |
| Chico, CA | $58,040 | 70 |
| El Centro, CA | $49,190 | 30 |
Highest-paying states for graphic designers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $87,920 |
| Rhode Island | $78,220 |
| New York | $77,340 |
| Massachusetts | $76,710 |
| California | $75,130 |
| Maryland | $75,120 |
| New Jersey | $73,790 |
| Washington | $72,710 |
| Connecticut | $72,700 |
| Virginia | $72,310 |
See Graphic Designer pay in every state or the California statewide figures.
Related jobs in Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $44,780 | $21.53 |
| Art Director | $106,390 | $51.15 |
| Interior Designer | $77,690 | $37.35 |
| Floral Designer | $47,910 | $23.03 |
| Commercial and Industrial Designers | $86,120 | $41.40 |
| Designers, All Other | $84,180 | $40.47 |
| Special Effects Artists and Animators | $122,880 | $59.08 |
| Artists and Related Workers, All Other | $62,960 | $30.27 |
| Public Relations Specialist | $89,640 | $43.10 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $46,430 | — |
| Interpreters and Translators | $64,360 | $30.94 |
| Editor | $78,800 | $37.89 |
| Photographer | $45,880 | $22.06 |
| Audio and Video Technicians | $57,600 | $27.69 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 27-1024. 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 graphic designer make in Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA?
The median salary for graphic designers in the Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA metro area is $74,680 a year, or $35.90 an hour. Pay ranges from $46,870 for the lowest-paid 10% to $117,870 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid graphic designers make in Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA?
The top 10% of graphic designers in the Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA metro area earn at least $117,870 a year. The top 25% earn $91,670 or more.
What is the starting pay for graphic designers in Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $46,870 a year, and a quarter of graphic designers earn $59,030 or less.
How many graphic designers work in Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA?
About 920 graphic designers are employed in the Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA metro area, not counting the self-employed.