Designers, All Other Salary in California
The median pay for a designers, all other in California is $80,300/year ($38.61/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $46K at the entry level to $158K for experienced workers.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $80K get you in California?
About designers, all others
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, California
Entry-level designers, all others (10th percentile) start around $46K. Mid-career wages sit at $80K.Top earners bring in $158K or more - a $112K spread from bottom to top.
Designers, All Other pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Illinois | $98K | +49% | 60 |
| Minnesota | $84K | +27% | 90 |
| South Carolina | $83K | +25% | 50 |
| Hawaii | $81K | +23% | 40 |
| Virginia | $81K | +23% | 100 |
| California | $80K | +21% | 2,850 |
| New York | $78K | +18% | 990 |
| Iowa | $74K | +12% | N/A |
| Georgia | $71K | +7% | 540 |
| Nevada | $69K | +5% | 50 |
| Pennsylvania | $68K | +3% | 170 |
| Maryland | $65K | -1% | 130 |
| Rhode Island | $65K | -2% | 60 |
| Oregon | $65K | -3% | 260 |
| Louisiana | $64K | -3% | 650 |
Track designers, all other salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when California numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do designers, all others make in California?
The median is $80,300 a year - that works out to about $38.61 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $46,150, and experienced designers, all others can clear $158,140. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $80K enough to live in California?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $5,106/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom in this state rents for about $2,201/month (median of metro areas), which eats 43.1% 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 designers, all other salary go in California?
California has a Regional Price Parity of 100 (100 is the national average). That's right at the national average. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median designers, all other salary is worth about $80,300 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do designers, all others 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.