Graphic Designer Hourly Pay in Stockton, CA: $30.33 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a graphic designer working in Stockton, CA runs $30.33 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $63,081 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 27-1024). Weighted against Stockton's regional price level (BEA RPP 105.1, 5% above national), each hour of work buys what $28.86 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $37,847 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Stockton, California, the projected graphic designer hourly pay stands at $30.33, which is slightly lower than the national median of $31.29. This rate provides a substantial earning potential for part-time designers, especially those looking to work three days a week. In typical work environments such as agency studios, marketing departments, and freelance settings, they can expect to earn from $21.21 to $53.76 per hour, reflecting a wide spectrum depending on experience and specialization. Given the trend in this industry, entry-level graphic designers may begin on the lower end of the scale, while established professionals and those skilled in niche areas can command significantly higher rates, as indicated by official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data.
Graphic Designer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $21.21 | $169.68 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $23.78 | $190.27 |
| Median (P50) | $30.33 | $242.61 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $39.73 | $317.85 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $53.76 | $430.06 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Stockton
Based on $30.33/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $30.33/hr, a graphic designer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Stockton, CA can expect to earn approximately $63,078 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $36,391. With a cost-of-living index of 105.09 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Stockton.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Stockton
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,213.03 | $5,256 | $63,078 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $727.82 | $3,154 | $37,847 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $485.21 | $2,103 | $25,231 |
Compare Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Graphic Designer (Stockton) | $30.33 |
| 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 Stockton, CA earn a median of $63,081 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.06% lower than the national median of $65,075 and 9.10% below the California state average of $69,396.
Graphic Designer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $30.33/hr = $37,847/year (purchasing power: $36,014).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $63,078/year (purchasing power: $60,023).
CoL index: 105.089 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$21.04/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$29.34/hr
2026 Current Est.
$30.33/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+49.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Graphic Designers in Stockton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.36% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $21.04/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $23.55/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $27.00/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $25.76/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $28.89/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $29.55/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $29.34/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $30.33/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $31.34/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for graphic designers in Stockton grew 39.4% from $21.04/hr (2019) to $29.34/hr (2025). At a 3.36% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $31.34/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 Stockton 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 Stockton
For a part-time designer working 24 hours a week, the annual take-home can be considerably less than that of a full-time designer, highlighting the fluctuating income that often accompanies freelance or per-diem roles. Per-diem graphic designers typically charge between $50 and $95 per hour, while more experienced specialists in motion graphics and brand design often bill in the $75 to $150 per hour range, making their income potential significantly higher than that of entry-level positions. Additionally, those in in-house roles, such as corporate marketing teams at banks or consumer goods companies, generally enjoy steadier pay but may earn less than their counterparts in advertising or digital agencies due to the benefits—like health insurance—that come with corporate employment. Negotiating hourly rates in Stockton can be complex; designers are often encouraged to highlight their unique skills or past successful projects to secure better pay, notably in fields requiring advanced proficiency in software like Adobe CC.
More salary data for Stockton, 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 Stockton. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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