Graphic Designer salary in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA
Graphic Designers in the Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA metro area earn a median of $78,500 a year ($37.74 an hour), based on BLS data for 210 workers.
Pay ranges from $49,350 for the lowest-paid 10% to $127,920 for the top 10%. That is 25% higher than the national median of $62,960. Pay here is 4% higher than the California statewide median of $75,130. There are 1.0 graphic designers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.80). The average (mean) salary is $84,370, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for graphic designers in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $49,350 | $23.73 |
| 25th percentile | $60,740 | $29.20 |
| Median | $78,500 | $37.74 |
| 75th percentile | $98,690 | $47.45 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $127,920 | $61.50 |
| Average (mean) | $84,370 | $40.56 |
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 | $6,541.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,270.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,019.23 |
| Weekly | $1,509.62 |
| Hourly | $37.74 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $78,500 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 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 |
| 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 Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Interior Designer | $78,960 | $37.96 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $44,720 | $21.50 |
| Fashion Designer | $108,220 | $52.03 |
| Floral Designer | $45,670 | $21.96 |
| Art Director | $109,500 | $52.64 |
| Commercial and Industrial Designers | $95,170 | $45.76 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $46,710 | — |
| Public Relations Specialist | $78,450 | $37.72 |
| Producers and Directors | $76,860 | $36.95 |
| Media and Communication Equipment Workers, All Other | $94,590 | $45.48 |
| Audio and Video Technicians | $68,940 | $33.14 |
| Editor | $73,300 | $35.24 |
| Interpreters and Translators | $82,440 | $39.63 |
| Photographer | $55,220 | $26.55 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, 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 Maria-Santa Barbara, CA?
The median salary for graphic designers in the Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA metro area is $78,500 a year, or $37.74 an hour. Pay ranges from $49,350 for the lowest-paid 10% to $127,920 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid graphic designers make in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA?
The top 10% of graphic designers in the Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA metro area earn at least $127,920 a year. The top 25% earn $98,690 or more.
What is the starting pay for graphic designers in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $49,350 a year, and a quarter of graphic designers earn $60,740 or less.
How many graphic designers work in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA?
About 210 graphic designers are employed in the Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA metro area, not counting the self-employed.