Graphic Designer Hourly Pay in Antioch, CA: $32.94 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a graphic designer working in Antioch, CA runs $32.94 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $68,525 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 27-1024). Weighted against Antioch's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $29.13 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $41,110 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Antioch, California, graphic designers earn a median hourly rate of $32.94, which surpasses the national median of $31.29. This higher pay reflects the cost of living in the area, as well as the demand for design talent across various sectors. For part-time professionals working three days a week, this means a significant opportunity to earn a competitive income while achieving a flexible work-life balance. In contexts ranging from agency settings with open studios to in-house marketing teams or freelance home offices, hourly rates for graphic designers can vary significantly. Entry-level positions may start at $20.51 per hour, while seasoned professionals can command up to $51.06 an hour—demonstrating a wide spectrum of earning potential based on experience and specialization.
About the Antioch Market
Salary estimated from California average ($78,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Graphic Designer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $20.51 | $164.05 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $25.36 | $202.92 |
| Median (P50) | $32.94 | $263.53 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $42.17 | $337.37 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $51.06 | $408.48 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Antioch
Based on $32.94/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $32.94/hr, a graphic designer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Antioch, CA can expect to earn approximately $68,517 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $39,529. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Antioch.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Antioch
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,317.63 | $5,710 | $68,517 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $790.58 | $3,426 | $41,110 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $527.05 | $2,284 | $27,407 |
Compare Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Graphic Designer (Antioch) | $32.94 |
| Web Developer (National Avg) | $45.87 |
| Art Director (National Avg) | $62.64 |
| Special Effects / Animator (National Avg) | $45.53 |
| Industrial Designer (National Avg) | $41.73 |
Graphic Designers in Antioch, CA earn a median of $68,525 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.30% higher than the national median of $65,075 and 1.20% below the California state average of $69,357.
Graphic Designer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $32.94/hr = $41,110/year (purchasing power: $36,349).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $68,517/year (purchasing power: $60,581).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$26.38/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$31.87/hr
2026 Current Est.
$32.94/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+29.1%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Graphic Designers in Antioch (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.36% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $26.38/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $27.02/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $25.67/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $29.35/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $29.82/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $41.89/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $31.87/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $32.94/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $34.05/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for graphic designers in Antioch grew 20.8% from $26.38/hr (2019) to $31.87/hr (2025). At a 3.36% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $34.05/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem graphic designers can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Antioch metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 3.36% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Graphic Designer in Antioch
Looking closer at the part-time earning potential for graphic designers in Antioch, a three-day workweek totaling 24 hours could yield around $40,500 annually, assuming consistent hours at the median rate. The employment landscape includes numerous contract and per-diem opportunities, where graphic designers can charge between $50 and $95 per hour for short-term projects, moving up to $100 to $180 per hour for roles such as motion graphics specialists. Different employer types also influence hourly compensation, with in-house corporate teams typically offering more stable pay and benefits, while agencies might present lower base pay but broader project variety. Designers often find themselves negotiating between higher hourly rates without benefits in freelance gigs versus lower rates that include health insurance and other perks. Understanding this trade-off is key in a market like Antioch, where factors like specialized skills in brand identity or motion graphics can lead to significant pay increases, allowing for improved compensation negotiations.
More salary data for Antioch, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Jordan Lee, MFA
Career Analyst
Jordan Lee has 10 years of experience in graphic design. They specialize in branding and visual identity. Their work includes freelance projects for small businesses.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 3.36% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for graphic designers in Antioch. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Antioch is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.36%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for graphic designers (SOC 27-1024).
Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, MFA, a licensed graphic designer with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov