Wage data
Graphic Designers Salary in San Francisco
The median Graphic Designers salary in San Francisco is $92,050 per year, with most earning between $68,680 and $115,940 (the 25th–75th percentile).
San Francisco wage percentiles
| Percentile | Annual wage |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $54,470 |
| 25th percentile | $68,680 |
| Median (50th) | $92,050 |
| 75th percentile | $115,940 |
| 90th percentile | $142,460 |
How San Francisco compares to the national average
The San Francisco median ($92,050) runs 46% above the national median of $62,960.
| San Francisco median | $92,050 |
| National median | $62,960 |
Pay by experience level
Pay within an occupation varies by experience. In the government data for Graphic Designers in San Francisco:
- Entry-level Graphic Designers in San Francisco (0–2 years) typically sit in the 10th–25th percentile — roughly $54,470 to $68,680.
- Early-career Graphic Designers in San Francisco (3–5 years) typically sit in the 25th–50th percentile — roughly $68,680 to $92,050.
- Mid-career Graphic Designers in San Francisco (6–10 years) typically sit in the 50th–75th percentile — roughly $92,050 to $115,940.
- Senior Graphic Designers in San Francisco (11+ years) typically sit in the 75th–90th percentile — roughly $115,940 to $142,460.
About the role
Key skills: Active Listening, Speaking, Writing, Critical Thinking, Active Learning, Reading Comprehension.
In-demand tools: Adobe After Effects, Adobe Creative Cloud, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe InDesign, Adobe Photoshop, Canva.
Typical education: Bachelor's Degree (65%), High School Diploma (15%), Master's Degree (10%), Some College (5%).
Related occupations: Special Effects Artists and Animators, Art Directors, Web and Digital Interface Designers, Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators, Desktop Publishers.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median Graphic Designers salary in San Francisco?
The median Graphic Designers salary in San Francisco is $92,050 per year (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025). Most earn between $68,680 and $115,940 — the 25th to 75th percentile.
What do the top 10% of Graphic Designers earn in San Francisco?
The 90th percentile Graphic Designers wage in San Francisco is $142,460 per year — the top 10% of the published distribution earn at or above that figure.
How does Graphic Designers pay in San Francisco compare to the national average?
The San Francisco median ($92,050) runs 46% above the national median of $62,960. All figures are from the federal wage survey (OEWS May 2025).
How do I know if a Graphic Designers salary offer in San Francisco is competitive?
Compare the offer against these percentiles: an offer near the median is at market for a typical hire, while your experience level shifts the band you should be judged against. The free counter calculator places a specific number in this distribution, and the full analysis adds live market data and the exact range to counter with.
Have an offer in hand? See exactly where it stands against this data — with your experience level, live market ranges, and the specific range to counter with.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Estimates are market-informed, not guarantees. How we read this data.
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