How to Become A Graphic Designer in California
California employs approximately 27,390 graphic designers according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $75,130 1. Nationally, graphic designer employment is projected to grow 2.1% from 2024 to 2034, with about 20,000 openings per year 2. This page covers how to become a graphic designer in California, including requirements, training programs, and salary data.
Quick Answers About Becoming A Graphic Designer in California
How do I become a graphic designer in California? Complete a training program or apprenticeship, gain work experience, and meet any state or employer requirements for graphic designers in California.
How long does it take? Most paths take 1 to 5 years depending on whether you choose trade school, an apprenticeship, or a combination of both.
What do graphic designers earn in California? The median annual wage for graphic designers in California is $75,130 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $46,190 and experienced professionals can earn $129,560 or more 1.
At a Glance
- Training paths: trade school, community college, or apprenticeship
- Typical timeline: 1 to 5 years depending on the path
- Median wage (California): $75,130 per year 1
Graphic Designer Wages by Metro Area in California
Graphic Designers Wages by Metro Area in California
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 OES data), graphic designers wages in California vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim | 13,810 | $72,400 | $81,680 | $45,500 | $123,590 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont | 3,870 | $92,050 | $102,130 | $54,470 | $142,460 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad | 2,090 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario | 1,370 | $65,900 | $74,730 | $41,540 | $105,810 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara | 1,280 | $97,360 | $107,360 | $59,870 | $164,520 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom | 920 | $74,680 | $80,000 | $46,870 | $117,870 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura | 390 | $67,300 | $79,010 | $43,450 | $106,290 |
| Fresno | 250 | $58,280 | $64,870 | $40,230 | $97,310 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara | 210 | $78,500 | $84,370 | $49,350 | $127,920 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma | 210 | $75,750 | $82,320 | $46,220 | $122,320 |
| Bakersfield-Delano | 160 | $61,970 | $69,300 | $40,690 | $108,560 |
| Stockton-Lodi | 150 | $61,030 | $68,010 | $42,680 | $108,190 |
| Modesto | 140 | $69,110 | $73,700 | $43,750 | $104,390 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles | 120 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville | 90 | $64,510 | $73,440 | $42,260 | $108,280 |
| Vallejo | 90 | $74,800 | $81,440 | $47,900 | $127,890 |
| Salinas | 80 | $66,940 | $73,390 | $43,040 | $113,980 |
| Chico | 70 | $58,040 | $63,400 | $39,460 | $97,780 |
| Visalia | 70 | $66,040 | $68,330 | $41,600 | $102,900 |
| Napa | 60 | $79,090 | $79,990 | $45,640 | $107,410 |
| El Centro | 30 | $49,190 | $57,800 | $36,580 | $88,600 |
| Merced | 30 | $63,340 | $67,450 | $40,240 | $93,370 |
| Redding | 30 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Wages reflect survey data and vary based on experience, credentials, employer, and local market conditions. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025.
Top Metros for Graphic designers in California
The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest graphic designer employment within California according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim | 13,810 | $72,400 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont | 3,870 | $92,050 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad | 2,090 | n/a |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario | 1,370 | $65,900 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara | 1,280 | $97,360 |
Explore graphic designer programs in Los Angeles, San Francisco, and San Diego.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for graphic designers in California? California currently employs approximately 27,390 graphic designers 1. Nationally, graphic designer employment is projected to grow 2.1% from 2024 to 2034 2.
What training programs are available in California? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in California.
How much do graphic designers earn in California compared to the national average? The median annual wage for graphic designers in California is $75,130, which is $13,830 above the national median of $61,300 according to BLS data 1.
Citations
About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.
References
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Data sources
Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.
| Data | Provider | Vintage |
|---|---|---|
| Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | May 2025 |
| Employment Projections | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | 2024-2034 |
| Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System | National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS) | 2024 |
| College Scorecard (school-level outcomes) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release |
| College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release (updated 2026-06-12) |
| Occupational licensing requirements | CareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2026-02-22) |
| Registered apprenticeship programs | CareerOneStop / Apprenticeship.gov (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2025-10-25) |
| O*NET occupation profiles (skills, tasks, tools, job zones) | U.S. Department of Labor (O*NET / Employment & Training Admin.) | O*NET 29.1 (updated 2026-06-13) |