Graphic Designers Salary in Santa Cruz, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA

Median annual salary $64,910 +5.9% vs national
Median hourly $31.21
10th percentile $42,250
90th percentile $111,570
Employed locally 120
National median $61,300

Compare Graphic Designers salary & buying power

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Graphic Designers
in
Santa Cruz, CA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $42,250
    25th
    $50,030
    50th (median)
    $64,910
    75th
    $91,270
    90th
    $111,570

    Santa Cruz economic context

    Unemployment rate 5.90% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $109,266 2023 • Census ACS
    Graphic Designers salary vs area income 59% Median Graphic Designers salary is 41% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Graphic Designers

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $98,530
    District of Columbia $90,710
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $89,490
    Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $82,630
    Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV $82,360
    Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA $78,500

    Nearby metros — Graphic Designers salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $98,530
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $89,490
    Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA $78,500
    Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH $78,000
    California $76,440
    Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA $75,820

    Related occupations in Santa Cruz, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Coaches and Scouts$47,060
    Public Relations Specialists$73,830
    Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers$39,600
    Producers and Directors$84,660
    Commercial and Industrial Designers$132,230
    Audio and Video Technicians$56,790

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Graphic Designers make per hour in Santa Cruz?

    The median hourly wage for Graphic Designers in Santa Cruz, CA is $31.21, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $52.06 or more per hour.

    Is Santa Cruz above or below average for Graphic Designers salaries?

    The median Graphic Designers salary in Santa Cruz, CA is 5.9% above the national median of $61,300. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Graphic Designers in Santa Cruz?

    Entry-level Graphic Designers (10th percentile) earn around $42,250 per year in Santa Cruz, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $50,030.