Graphic Designer Hourly Pay in Daly City, CA: $34.23 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a graphic designer working in Daly City, CA runs $34.23 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $71,204 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 27-1024). Weighted against Daly City's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $30.27 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $42,723 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the graphic designer hourly pay for professionals in Daly City, California, is projected to be $34.23, marking it above the national median of $31.29 per hour. This elevated rate reflects the local demand for graphic design skills and the region's cost of living, which is higher than the national average. For professionals working part-time, for example, three days a week, this hourly rate can significantly enhance their financial stability, earning a take-home pay that aligns closely with full-time wages depending on hours worked. In addition to standard employment settings such as agency studios and corporate offices, opportunities exist in freelance and remote environments, where the hourly compensation can vary notably. The hourly wage range spans from $20.58 for entry-level positions to $53.07 for top-tier specialists, highlighting the diverse earning potential within the field.
About the Daly City 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) | $20.58 | $164.63 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $25.88 | $207.05 |
| Median (P50) | $34.23 | $273.86 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $43.81 | $350.51 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $53.07 | $424.52 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Daly City
Based on $34.23/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $34.23/hr, a graphic designer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Daly City, CA can expect to earn approximately $71,204 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $41,079. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Daly City.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Daly City
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,369.31 | $5,934 | $71,204 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $821.59 | $3,560 | $42,723 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $547.73 | $2,373 | $28,482 |
Compare Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Graphic Designer (Daly City) | $34.23 |
| 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 Daly City, CA earn a median of $71,204 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.42% higher than the national median of $65,075 and 2.60% above the California state average of $69,399.
Graphic Designer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $34.23/hr = $42,723/year (purchasing power: $37,774).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $71,204/year (purchasing power: $62,957).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$27.41/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$33.12/hr
2026 Current Est.
$34.23/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+29.1%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Graphic Designers in Daly City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.36% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $27.41/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $28.08/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $26.68/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $30.51/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $30.99/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $43.53/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $33.12/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $34.23/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $35.38/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for graphic designers in Daly City grew 20.8% from $27.41/hr (2019) to $33.12/hr (2025). At a 3.36% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $35.38/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 Daly City 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 Daly City
The earning potential for part-time graphic designers working in Daly City manifests distinctly when assessing their annual income compared to full-time counterparts. A designer working 24 hours per week could take home around $42,000 annually, while full-time designers benefit from consistent hours and potentially higher overall earnings. For those in per-diem roles or working on contract basis, the landscape changes further; they often command hourly rates between $50 and $95, with seasoned brand designers earning even more, reaching up to $150 per hour, especially in dynamic environments like advertising agencies or specialized design firms. The trade-off between steady pay with benefits in corporate roles versus the greater freedom and variable income in freelance work shapes individual decisions. Negotiating effectively for hourly rates is crucial, particularly in a competitive market like Daly City, where understanding value beyond the hourly figure can lead to better compensation overall.
More salary data for Daly City, 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 Daly City. 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 Daly City 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