Graphic Designer salary in San Jose, CA
Median pay, San Jose / Silicon Valley metro
$97,360/year
about $46.81 an hour full-time
Middle half earns $73,990 – $127,880
Half of graphic designers in the San Jose / Silicon Valley metro area earn more than $97,360 a year and half earn less. That's 55% higher than the national median of $62,960, and ranks #1 of the 29 big metro areas we track for this job.
Pay range
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly* |
|---|---|---|
| 10th (entry level) | $59,870 | $28.78 |
| 25th | $73,990 | $35.57 |
| Median (50th) | $97,360 | $46.81 |
| 75th | $127,880 | $61.48 |
| 90th (top earners) | $164,520 | $79.10 |
*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 Jose / Silicon Valley metro area, here's how an offer compares:
- Below market under $73,990 ($35.57/hr). Fine for a first job in the field, otherwise worth negotiating.
- Typical $73,990 to $127,880 ($35.57 to $61.48/hr). The middle half of what people in this job earn.
- Strong offer over $127,880 ($61.48/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 Jose / Silicon Valley metro. Occupation: Graphic Designers (SOC 27-1024). Figures cover wage and salary workers and don't include bonuses, benefits or overtime.