Commercial and Industrial Designers Salary in San Francisco, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA

Median annual salary $95,590 +20.3% vs national
Median hourly $45.96
10th percentile $69,990
90th percentile $170,700
Employed locally 850
National median $79,450

Compare Commercial and Industrial Designers salary & buying power

Type a city below to see how San Francisco, CA stacks up on salary and cost of living.

Full tool →
Commercial and Industrial Designers
in
San Francisco, CA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $69,990
    25th
    $75,130
    50th (median)
    $95,590
    75th
    $140,630
    90th
    $170,700

    San Francisco economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.20% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $133,780 2023 • Census ACS
    Commercial and Industrial Designers salary vs area income 71% Median Commercial and Industrial Designers salary is 29% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Commercial and Industrial Designers

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA $132,230
    Kiryas Joel-Poughkeepsie-Newburgh, NY $116,070
    Baton Rouge, LA $114,850
    Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $114,200
    Boulder, CO $107,990
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $107,780

    Nearby metros — Commercial and Industrial Designers salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA $132,230
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $107,780
    Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH $104,470
    San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA $95,630
    Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN $94,850
    Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA $94,160

    Related occupations in San Francisco, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Public Relations Specialists$98,460
    Coaches and Scouts$47,260
    Producers and Directors$122,210
    Graphic Designers$89,490
    Media and Communication Workers, All Other$99,420
    Editors$99,720

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Commercial and Industrial Designers make per hour in San Francisco?

    The median hourly wage for Commercial and Industrial Designers in San Francisco, CA is $45.96, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $78.37 or more per hour.

    Is San Francisco above or below average for Commercial and Industrial Designers salaries?

    The median Commercial and Industrial Designers salary in San Francisco, CA is 20.3% above the national median of $79,450. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Commercial and Industrial Designers in San Francisco?

    Entry-level Commercial and Industrial Designers (10th percentile) earn around $69,990 per year in San Francisco, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $75,130.