Graphic Designer Salary in Moreno Valley, CA: $70,019 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time graphic designer in Moreno Valley, CA earns a median $70,019/year (≈ $33.66/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 27-1024). Once you factor in Moreno Valley's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $61,909 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.9% above the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Graphic designers in Moreno Valley, CA, find themselves in a competitive wage structure, with median salaries projected to reach $70,019 in 2026. The pay range highlights significant disparities, where designers earn from $42,623 at the lower end (P10) to $108,530 at the high end (P90). These figures, based on 2025 BLS data, reflect both local market conditions and regional cost of living adjustments. Agencies often present higher salaries due to the creative breadth, albeit with varied compensation dependent on client expectations and project scopes. In-house positions, particularly in sectors like finance or consumer packaged goods, provide steadier pay and benefits despite generally narrower job roles compared to the dynamic nature of agency work. This unique market balance shapes the graphic designer salary in Moreno Valley.
About the Moreno Valley Market
Salary estimated from California average ($78,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $42,623 | $20.50 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $53,300 | $25.62 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $70,019 | $33.66 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $89,624 | $43.09 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $108,530 | $52.18 |
Median Salary Position
7.60% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Moreno Valley
In Moreno Valley, CA, the graphic designer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $65,907 (2026 est.). At $70,019, the local median is 7.6% above the national median of $65,075.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Moreno Valley: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Moreno Valley Graphic Designer Pay Compares
Moreno Valley median: $70,019/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Moreno Valley Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $69,395 | +0.90% more |
| National Average | $65,075 | +7.60% more |
Graphic Designers in Moreno Valley, CA earn a median of $70,019 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.60% higher than the national median of $65,075 and 0.90% above the California state average of $69,395.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Moreno Valley has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Moreno Valley, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $70,019 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $61,909 — a 11.58% reduction.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$56,069
2025 BLS Actual
$67,743
2026 Current Est.
$70,019
2019–2027 Growth
+29.1%
Salary Trajectory for Graphic Designers in Moreno Valley (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.36% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $56,069 | Actual |
| 2020 | $57,435 | Actual |
| 2021 | $54,562 | Actual |
| 2022 | $62,395 | Actual |
| 2023 | $63,385 | Actual |
| 2024 | $89,036 | Actual |
| 2025 | $67,743 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $70,019 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $72,372 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Moreno Valley metropolitan area, the median graphic designer salary grew 20.8% from $56,069 (2019) to $67,743 (2025). At a 3.36% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $72,372 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,303 (29.08%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Moreno Valley 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $42,623 – $53,300 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $53,300 – $70,019 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $70,019 – $89,624 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $89,624 – $108,530 |
salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual graphic designer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Graphic Designer Job Market in Moreno Valley
With 53 graphic designers currently employed in the area, the job market reflects a modest yet stable demand for creative talent. However, the cost of living index at 113.1 indicates that while salaries are above the national average, purchasing power could be affected, necessitating strategic financial planning. Among local employers, in-house corporate marketing teams typically offer higher compensation compared to advertising or digital agencies, especially for roles focusing on specialty areas such as motion graphics or brand identity. The pay spread can be attributed to various factors, including agency prestige, portfolio quality, and whether designers are on a freelance or salaried model. To maximize pay, designers should consider building a strong portfolio emphasizing in-demand specialties while networking with local agencies and firms, thereby positioning themselves for higher-paying opportunities in Moreno Valley's evolving market.
More salary data for Moreno Valley, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do graphic designers make in Moreno Valley, CA in 2026?
Is Moreno Valley, CA a good place to work as a graphic designer?
Can graphic designers make $100K in Moreno Valley?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted graphic designer salary in Moreno Valley?
How much does a graphic designer make per hour in Moreno Valley?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in California
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
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $67,743 for graphic designersin the Moreno Valley metropolitan area. A 3.36% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Moreno Valley 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