What is the average Graphic Design salary for Santa Cruz, CA?
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As of March 01, 2026, the average Graphic Design salary in Santa Cruz, CA is $154,301. The chart below represents localized salaries for some of our most popular Graphic Design job titles in Santa Cruz, CA. Salaries can vary greatly depending on numerous factors, including position, location, years of experience, and level of education. Salary.com’s team of Certified Compensation Professionals analyzed survey data collected from thousands of HR departments at companies of all sizes and industries to compile a range of salaries for various Graphic Design job titles in Santa Cruz, CA. Apply your personal criteria to one of the job titles below to get your personalized salary estimate.
Graphic Design Salaries in Santa Cruz, CA
| Job Title | Salary | Hourly Rate | Location | Date Updated |
| Graphic Design Manager | $140,197 | $67.40 | Santa Cruz, CA | March 01, 2026 |
| Graphic Design Supervisor | $119,584 | $57.49 | Santa Cruz, CA | March 01, 2026 |
| Graphic Design Senior Manager | $180,050 | $86.56 | Santa Cruz, CA | March 01, 2026 |
| Graphic Design Specialist IV | $127,157 | $61.13 | Santa Cruz, CA | March 01, 2026 |
| Graphic Design Specialist I | $70,853 | $34.06 | Santa Cruz, CA | March 01, 2026 |
| Graphic Design Specialist III | $101,853 | $48.97 | Santa Cruz, CA | March 01, 2026 |
| Graphic Design Specialist II | $83,277 | $40.04 | Santa Cruz, CA | March 01, 2026 |
| Graphic Design Director | $220,860 | $106.18 | Santa Cruz, CA | March 01, 2026 |
| Graphic Design Specialist V | $157,918 | $75.92 | Santa Cruz, CA | March 01, 2026 |
| Motion Graphic Design Specialist II | $94,947 | $45.65 | Santa Cruz, CA | March 01, 2026 |
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Manages the design and production of graphic art and visual materials for print and digital media. Ensures that layout and design are aligned with brand and production standards and follow best practices. Oversees the creation and execution of design solutions including imagery, charts, infographics, and multimedia elements used for marketing, advertising, sales, and other forms of communication. Consults with customers and stakeholders to conceptualize, scope, and develop project deliverables and timelines. Ensures designers have the tools and skills required to produce unique, high impact materials. Requires a bachelor's degree in art or graphic design. Typically reports to a director. Manages subordinate staff in the day-to-day performance of their jobs. True first level manager. Ensures that project/department milestones/goals are met and adhering to approved budgets. Has full authority for personnel actions. Typically requires 5 years experience in the related area as an individual contributor. 1 - 3 years supervisory experience may be required. Extensive knowledge of the function and department processes. Graphic Design Manager Salaries in Santa Cruz, CAAlternate Job Titles:Graphic Art Manager, Graphic Design Manager
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Supervises graphic designers on the completion of a variety of design projects. Consults with clients regarding project requirements, defines project scopes and design standards. Advises on best practices for visual communication and provides technical expertise regarding graphic design software, layout, and color management. Typically requires a bachelor's degree. Typically reports to a manager. Supervises a group of primarily para-professional level staffs. May also be a level above a supervisor within high volume administrative/production environments. Makes day-to-day decisions within or for a group/small department. Has some authority for personnel actions. Typically requires 3-5 years experience in the related area as an individual contributor. Thorough knowledge of functional area and department processes. Graphic Design Supervisor Salaries in Santa Cruz, CAAlternate Job Titles:Graphic Art Project Lead, Graphic Design - Project Lead, Graphic Design Supervisor
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Manages all aspects of the design and production of graphic art and visual materials for print and digital media. Provides mentoring, leadership , and organization to managers and supervisors. Ensures that layout and design are aligned with brand and production standards and follow best practices. Oversees the creation and execution of design solutions including imagery, charts, infographics, and multimedia elements used for marketing, advertising, sales, and other forms of communication. Ensures programs are in place to teach designers the tools and skills required to produce unique, high impact materials. Requires a bachelor's degree in art or graphic design. Typically reports to a director. Typically manages through subordinate managers and professionals in larger groups of moderate complexity. Provides input to strategic decisions that affect the functional area of responsibility. May give input into developing the budget. Typically requires 3+ years of managerial experience. Capable of resolving escalated issues arising from operations and requiring coordination with other departments. Graphic Design Senior Manager Salaries in Santa Cruz, CAAlternate Job Titles:Design Services - Senior Manager, Graphic Art Senior Manager, Graphic Design Senior Manager
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Designs and produces graphic art and visual materials for print and digital media. Ensures that layout and design are aligned with brand and production standards and follow best practices. Creates and executes design solutions and collateral used for marketing, advertising, sales, and other forms of communication. Coordinates with customers and stakeholders to conceptualize and deliver projects on time and budget. Experienced using a variety of design and editing tools and software such as Adobe. Knowledge of color, composition, typography, digital design and production management. Typically requires a bachelor's degree. Typically reports to a manager. Work is highly independent. May assume a team lead role for the work group. A specialist on complex technical and business matters. Typically requires 7+ years of related experience. Graphic Design Specialist IV Salaries in Santa Cruz, CAAlternate Job Titles:Design Services Specialist IV, Graphic Artist IV, Graphic Designer IV, Graphic Design Specialist IV
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Designs and produces graphic art and visual materials for print and digital media. Ensures that layout and design are aligned with brand and production standards and follow best practices. Creates and executes design solutions and collateral used for marketing, advertising, sales, and other forms of communication. Coordinates with customers and stakeholders to conceptualize and deliver projects on time and budget. Experienced using a variety of design and editing tools and software such as Adobe. Knowledge of color, composition, typography, digital design and production management. Typically requires a bachelor's degree. Typically reports to a manager. Work is closely managed. Works on projects/matters of limited complexity in a support role. Typically requires 0-2 years of related experience. Graphic Design Specialist I Salaries in Santa Cruz, CAAlternate Job Titles:Design Services Specialist I, Entry Level Graphic Designer, Graphic Artist I, Graphic Designer I, Graphic Design Specialist I
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Designs and produces graphic art and visual materials for print and digital media. Ensures that layout and design are aligned with brand and production standards and follow best practices. Creates and executes design solutions and collateral used for marketing, advertising, sales, and other forms of communication. Coordinates with customers and stakeholders to conceptualize and deliver projects on time and budget. Experienced using a variety of design and editing tools and software such as Adobe. Knowledge of color, composition, typography, digital design and production management. Typically requires a bachelor's degree. Typically reports to a manager. Work is generally independent and collaborative in nature. Contributes to moderately complex aspects of a project. Typically requires 4-7 years of related experience. Graphic Design Specialist III Salaries in Santa Cruz, CAAlternate Job Titles:Design Services Specialist III, Graphic Artist III, Graphic Designer III, Sr Graphic Designer, Graphic Design Specialist III
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Designs and produces graphic art and visual materials for print and digital media. Ensures that layout and design are aligned with brand and production standards and follow best practices. Creates and executes design solutions and collateral used for marketing, advertising, sales, and other forms of communication. Coordinates with customers and stakeholders to conceptualize and deliver projects on time and budget. Experienced using a variety of design and editing tools and software such as Adobe. Knowledge of color, composition, typography, digital design and production management. Typically requires a bachelor's degree. Typically reports to a manager. Occasionally directed in several aspects of the work. Gaining exposure to some of the complex tasks within the job function. Typically requires 2-4 years of related experience. Graphic Design Specialist II Salaries in Santa Cruz, CAAlternate Job Titles:Design Services Specialist II, Graphic Artist II, Graphic Designer II, Mid Level Graphic Designer, Graphic Design Specialist II
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Leads and develops the graphic arts and design function that provides and visual materials for print and digital media. Ensures that projects, management, and standards align with the goals of the rest of the organization. Drives improvement in procedures, quality, and efficiency. May interface with other departments and introduce new projects. Typically requires a bachelor's degree in art or graphic design. Typically reports to top management. Manages a departmental sub-function within a broader departmental function. Creates functional strategies and specific objectives for the sub-function and develops budgets/policies/procedures to support the functional infrastructure. Typically requires 5+ years of managerial experience. Deep knowledge of the managed sub-function and solid knowledge of the overall departmental function. Graphic Design Director Salaries in Santa Cruz, CAAlternate Job Titles:Design Services - Director, Graphic Art Director, Graphic Design DirectorCategories : Graphic Arts , Advertising , Executive and Management , Media - Print , Printing and Publishing
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Designs and produces graphic art and visual materials for print and digital media. Ensures that layout and design are aligned with brand and production standards and follow best practices. Creates and executes design solutions and collateral used for marketing, advertising, sales, and other forms of communication. Coordinates with customers and stakeholders to conceptualize and deliver projects on time and budget. Experienced using a variety of design and editing tools and software such as Adobe. Knowledge of color, composition, typography, digital design and production management. Typically requires a bachelor's degree. Typically reports to a manager. Works autonomously. Goals are generally communicated in "solution" or project goal terms. May provide a leadership role for the work group through knowledge in the area of specialization. Works on advanced, complex technical projects or business issues requiring state of the art technical or industry knowledge. Typically requires 10+ years of related experience. Graphic Design Specialist V Salaries in Santa Cruz, CAAlternate Job Titles:Design Services Specialist V, Graphic Artist V, Graphic Designer V, Graphic Design Specialist V
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Conceptualizes, designs, develops and executes 2D and 3D motion graphics and animations for web, mobile, and other digital platforms. Utilizes sketches, storyboards and animatics to develop concepts. Creates complex graphics, animation, and video content. Works with UI designers and developers to integrate graphics into the overall design of projects. Proficient with a variety of visual and audio design and editing tools. Typically requires a bachelor's degree in art, design or equivalent. Typically reports to a manager. Occasionally directed in several aspects of the work. Gaining exposure to some of the complex tasks within the job function. Typically requires 2 -4 years of related experience. Motion Graphic Design Specialist II Salaries in Santa Cruz, CAAlternate Job Titles:3D Animator II, Animation Designer II, Motion Graphic Artist II, Motion Graphic Designer II, Motion Graphic Design Specialist II