Graphic Designer salary in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA
Graphic Designers in the Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA metro area earn a median of $64,510 a year ($31.01 an hour), based on BLS data for 90 workers.
Pay ranges from $42,260 for the lowest-paid 10% to $108,280 for the top 10%. That is 2% higher than the national median of $62,960. Pay here is 14% lower than the California statewide median of $75,130. There are 0.94 graphic designers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.74). The average (mean) salary is $73,440, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for graphic designers in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $42,260 | $20.32 |
| 25th percentile | $48,130 | $23.14 |
| Median | $64,510 | $31.01 |
| 75th percentile | $89,000 | $42.79 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $108,280 | $52.06 |
| Average (mean) | $73,440 | $35.31 |
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 | $5,375.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,687.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,481.15 |
| Weekly | $1,240.58 |
| Hourly | $31.01 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $64,510 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 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $74,680 | 920 |
| 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 |
| 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 Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $44,260 | $21.28 |
| Art Director | $126,410 | $60.78 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $48,380 | — |
| Public Relations Specialist | $83,180 | $39.99 |
| Producers and Directors | $77,530 | $37.27 |
| Audio and Video Technicians | $56,790 | $27.30 |
| Editor | $77,890 | $37.45 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, 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 Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA?
The median salary for graphic designers in the Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA metro area is $64,510 a year, or $31.01 an hour. Pay ranges from $42,260 for the lowest-paid 10% to $108,280 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid graphic designers make in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA?
The top 10% of graphic designers in the Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA metro area earn at least $108,280 a year. The top 25% earn $89,000 or more.
What is the starting pay for graphic designers in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $42,260 a year, and a quarter of graphic designers earn $48,130 or less.
How many graphic designers work in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA?
About 90 graphic designers are employed in the Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA metro area, not counting the self-employed.