Graphic Designer salary in San Francisco, CA
Median pay, San Francisco Bay Area (SF/Oakland)
$92,050/year
about $44.25 an hour full-time
Middle half earns $68,680 – $115,940
Half of graphic designers in the San Francisco Bay Area (SF/Oakland) area earn more than $92,050 a year and half earn less. That's 46% higher than the national median of $62,960, and ranks #2 of the 29 big metro areas we track for this job.
Pay range
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly* |
|---|---|---|
| 10th (entry level) | $54,470 | $26.19 |
| 25th | $68,680 | $33.02 |
| Median (50th) | $92,050 | $44.25 |
| 75th | $115,940 | $55.74 |
| 90th (top earners) | $142,460 | $68.49 |
*Yearly pay divided by 2,080 hours (40 hours × 52 weeks), the full-time basis BLS uses.
Is your offer fair?
For a graphic designer job in the San Francisco Bay Area (SF/Oakland) area, here's how an offer compares:
- Below market under $68,680 ($33.02/hr). Fine for a first job in the field, otherwise worth negotiating.
- Typical $68,680 to $115,940 ($33.02 to $55.74/hr). The middle half of what people in this job earn.
- Strong offer over $115,940 ($55.74/hr). Higher than three quarters of workers here.
Before you accept
- Watch for roles that bundle design, video, social media and web work into one job at one salary.
- Unpaid "test projects" are a common red flag. A short, paid test is fair; a full campaign for free isn't.
- In-house design roles tend to be steadier than agency roles, which can pay more but come with heavier deadlines.
Also watch for the common warning signs in the posting itself: 15 job posting red flags.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, 2025, San Francisco Bay Area (SF/Oakland). Occupation: Graphic Designers (SOC 27-1024). Figures cover wage and salary workers and don't include bonuses, benefits or overtime.