Graphic Designers Salary in San Jose, CA
Updated 2024 · Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor StatisticsUSD $
Median Salary
$81,000
Average Salary
$90,000
Salary Range
$49,000 - $105,000
Est. Employment*
4,000
*Employment figures are estimates based on national occupational data distributed across metro areas. Actual local numbers may vary.
Search Jobs on IndeedSalary Distribution
10th to 90th percentile range. Half of all graphic designers earn between $63,000 and $96,000.
About Graphic Designers in San Jose
Graphic designers create visual concepts using computer software or by hand to communicate ideas that inspire, inform, and captivate consumers. They develop layouts and production designs for advertisements, brochures, magazines, websites, and corporate communications.
In San Jose, graphic designers benefit from higher salaries that reflect the area's elevated cost of living. The area's major industries include Technology & Software, Semiconductor Manufacturing, Clean Energy.
Key Skills
Education
Bachelor's degree in fine arts, design, communications, or a related field
Education requirements vary widely. Many positions value a strong portfolio and practical experience as much as formal education. A bachelor's degree is common, but talent, creativity, and a compelling body of work are often most important.
Tips to Earn More as a Graphic Designers
Graphic Designers Salary in Other Cities
| City | Median | Range | vs San Jose |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco, CA | $81,000 | $49,000 - $105,000 | 0% |
| Seattle, WA | $77,000 | $46,000 - $100,000 | -5% |
| New York, NY | $74,000 | $44,000 - $96,000 | -9% |
| Boston, MA | $74,000 | $44,000 - $96,000 | -9% |
| Washington DC, DC | $70,000 | $46,000 - $88,000 | -14% |
| Los Angeles, CA | $69,000 | $45,000 - $87,000 | -15% |
| Denver, CO | $66,000 | $43,000 - $83,000 | -19% |
| San Diego, CA | $65,000 | $42,000 - $82,000 | -20% |
| Austin, TX | $65,000 | $42,000 - $82,000 | -20% |
| Sacramento, CA | $64,000 | $42,000 - $81,000 | -21% |
| Honolulu, HI | $64,000 | $42,000 - $81,000 | -21% |
| Anchorage, AK | $64,000 | $42,000 - $81,000 | -21% |
| Portland, OR | $63,000 | $41,000 - $80,000 | -22% |
| Hartford, CT | $63,000 | $41,000 - $80,000 | -22% |
| Minneapolis, MN | $62,000 | $40,000 - $78,000 | -23% |
| Baltimore, MD | $62,000 | $40,000 - $78,000 | -23% |
| Philadelphia, PA | $61,000 | $40,000 - $77,000 | -25% |
| Chicago, IL | $60,000 | $39,000 - $76,000 | -26% |
| Dallas, TX | $60,000 | $39,000 - $76,000 | -26% |
| Houston, TX | $60,000 | $39,000 - $76,000 | -26% |
| Atlanta, GA | $59,000 | $38,000 - $74,000 | -27% |
| Raleigh, NC | $59,000 | $38,000 - $74,000 | -27% |
| Salt Lake City, UT | $59,000 | $38,000 - $74,000 | -27% |
| Richmond, VA | $59,000 | $38,000 - $74,000 | -27% |
| Charlotte, NC | $58,000 | $38,000 - $73,000 | -28% |
| Detroit, MI | $57,000 | $37,000 - $72,000 | -30% |
| Nashville, TN | $57,000 | $37,000 - $72,000 | -30% |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $57,000 | $37,000 - $72,000 | -30% |
| St. Louis, MO | $57,000 | $37,000 - $72,000 | -30% |
| Kansas City, MO | $57,000 | $37,000 - $72,000 | -30% |
| Milwaukee, WI | $57,000 | $37,000 - $72,000 | -30% |
| Phoenix, AZ | $56,000 | $36,000 - $71,000 | -31% |
| Columbus, OH | $56,000 | $36,000 - $71,000 | -31% |
| Indianapolis, IN | $56,000 | $36,000 - $71,000 | -31% |
| Toronto, ON | $56,000 | $36,000 - $71,000 | -31% |
| Miami, FL | $55,000 | $36,000 - $69,000 | -32% |
| Cleveland, OH | $55,000 | $36,000 - $69,000 | -32% |
| Buffalo, NY | $55,000 | $36,000 - $69,000 | -32% |
| Las Vegas, NV | $54,000 | $35,000 - $68,000 | -33% |
| Tampa, FL | $54,000 | $35,000 - $68,000 | -33% |
| Cincinnati, OH | $54,000 | $35,000 - $68,000 | -33% |
| Louisville, KY | $54,000 | $35,000 - $68,000 | -33% |
| Orlando, FL | $53,000 | $34,000 - $67,000 | -35% |
| San Antonio, TX | $53,000 | $34,000 - $67,000 | -35% |
| Oklahoma City, OK | $53,000 | $34,000 - $67,000 | -35% |
| New Orleans, LA | $53,000 | $34,000 - $67,000 | -35% |
| Vancouver, BC | $53,000 | $34,000 - $67,000 | -35% |
| Jacksonville, FL | $52,000 | $34,000 - $66,000 | -36% |
| Birmingham, AL | $52,000 | $34,000 - $66,000 | -36% |
| Memphis, TN | $51,000 | $33,000 - $64,000 | -37% |
| Tucson, AZ | $51,000 | $33,000 - $64,000 | -37% |
| Calgary, AB | $51,000 | $33,000 - $64,000 | -37% |
| Ottawa, ON | $49,000 | $32,000 - $62,000 | -40% |
| Edmonton, AB | $48,000 | $31,000 - $61,000 | -41% |
| Montreal, QC | $45,000 | $31,000 - $55,000 | -44% |
| Hamilton, ON | $45,000 | $31,000 - $55,000 | -44% |
| Winnipeg, MB | $42,000 | $29,000 - $51,000 | -48% |
| Halifax, NS | $42,000 | $29,000 - $51,000 | -48% |
| Quebec City, QC | $41,000 | $29,000 - $50,000 | -49% |