Commercial and Industrial Designers Salary in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA
Commercial and Industrial Designers in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA make a median of $95,630 a year, or about $45.98 an hour. The range runs from $60K at the entry level to $138K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 111.89), so that salary is closer to $85,468 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $3,001/month — about 50% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $96K get you in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad?
About commercial and industrial designers
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA
Entry-level commercial and industrial designers (10th percentile) start around $60K. Mid-career wages sit at $96K.Top earners bring in $138K or more - a $78K spread from bottom to top.
Commercial and Industrial Designers pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | $107K | +34% | 450 |
| Kansas | $100K | +26% | 250 |
| Massachusetts | $99K | +25% | 1,020 |
| Indiana | $94K | +18% | 400 |
| Rhode Island | $93K | +17% | 210 |
| California | $93K | +17% | 4,530 |
| Nevada | $88K | +11% | 170 |
| Michigan | $85K | +8% | 2,580 |
| New York | $85K | +7% | 2,140 |
| South Carolina | $84K | +5% | 470 |
| Georgia | $82K | +3% | 460 |
| New Jersey | $81K | +2% | 1,030 |
| Arizona | $81K | +2% | 290 |
| Arkansas | $80K | +1% | 230 |
| Montana | $79K | -0% | 70 |
Track commercial and industrial designers salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do commercial and industrial designers make in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA?
The median is $95,630 a year - that works out to about $45.98 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $60,300, and experienced commercial and industrial designers can clear $138,270. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $96K enough to live in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $5,886/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $3,001/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 51% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb - housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a commercial and industrial designers salary go in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad?
San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad has a Regional Price Parity of 111.89 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median commercial and industrial designers salary is worth about $85,468 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do commercial and industrial designers get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.