Salary AI Book a Demo

Creative Head Salary in California

How much does a Creative Head make in California? As of October 01, 2026, the average salary for a Creative Head in California is $165,420 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $80.

However, a Creative Head's salary can vary significantly. Here's a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $197,121
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $147,943 to $182,014
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $132,031
Salary Factors Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Check out Creative Head Job Openings in California

Key Factors That Influence Creative Head Salaries

A Creative Head's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Creative Head Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Creative Head's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $153,380
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $154,810
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $157,099
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $159,961
  • Expert (over 8 years): $164,268
Job RoleYears of ExperienceAverage Salary
Entry Level Creative Head less than 1 year $153,380
Early Career Level Creative Head 1-2 years $154,810
Mid-Level Level Creative Head 2-4 years $157,099
Senior-Level Level Creative Head 5-8 years $159,961
Expert Level Creative Head over 8 years $164,268

How Do Creative Head Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Creative Heads. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $166,050.
  • California: $165,420.
  • Massachusetts: $163,216.

Top Paying Cities for Creative Head

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • Los Angeles: $165,705
  • West Hollywood: $165,585
  • Dodgertown: $165,704

Creative Head Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Creative Head roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 125% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Pharmaceuticals and Aerospace & Defense sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 60% above the average. In contrast, Creative Head positions in Transportation or Telecom typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Creative Head as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Creative Head

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Pharmaceuticals $264,672 $127.0 60%
Aerospace & Defense $248,130 $119.0 50%
Healthcare $223,317 $107.0 35%
Biotechnology $215,046 $103.0 30%
Media $206,775 $99.0 25%

Creative Head Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Creative Head's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

  • Yearly
  • Monthly
  • Weekly
  • Hourly
  • Table View
Last Updated on October 01, 2026
$147,943
Average $165,420/year
$182,014
$12,329
Average $13,785/month
$15,168
$2,845
Average $3,181/week
$3,500
$71
Average $80/hour
$88
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $182,014 $15,168 $3,500 $88
Average $165,420 $13,785 $3,181 $80
25th Percentile $147,943 $12,329 $2,845 $71

Find Your Next Creative Head Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Creative Head job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

  • TTE Technology Inc | Irvine, CA

    MARKETING Head of Content&amp Creative

    TTE Technology Inc | Irvine, CA

    Job Description. Job Description. Position Summary. TCL North America is seeking a strategic and execution-oriented. Head of Content & Creative. to lead an... more

    7 Days Ago

  • Blockchain Works | San Francisco, CA

    Head of Creative Strategy Job Blockchain Works in San Francisco

    Blockchain Works | San Francisco, CA

    What is Eclipse. Eclipse is building the fastest Ethereum Layer 2, powered by the Solana VM.Our backers include Polychain, Tribe Capital, and the Solana Fo... more

    4 Days Ago

  • Ready Set | Los Angeles, CA

    Head of Data

    Ready Set | Los Angeles, CA

    A leading advertising agency is seeking a Creative Development Head to lead the formulation of creative testing frameworks and drive a data-driven culture.... more

    4 Days Ago

  • Synerfac Technical Staffing | COVINGTON, GA

    Site IT Head

    Synerfac Technical Staffing | COVINGTON, GA

    Industry leading manufacturing company is seeking an Site IT Head to join their growing team. In this role you will be responsible for the strategic planni... more

    6 Days Ago

  • J.P. Morgan | NEW YORK CITY, NY

    UX Creative Technologist Vice President

    J.P. Morgan | NEW YORK CITY, NY

    hackajob is collaborating with J.P. Morgan to connect them with exceptional professionals for this role. JOB DESCRIPTION Build and scale an AI-native desig... more

    4 Days Ago

  • J.P. Morgan | COLUMBUS, AR

    Creative Technologist

    J.P. Morgan | COLUMBUS, AR

    hackajob is collaborating with J.P. Morgan to connect them with exceptional professionals for this role. JOB DESCRIPTION Shape the future of user experienc... more

    4 Days Ago

For Employees

Analyze the market and your qualifications to negotiate your salary with confidence.

Get a Salary Increase

Search thousands of open positions to find your next opportunity.

Search Job Openings

For Employers

Individualize employee pay based on unique job requirements and personal qualifications.

Adjust Employee Salary

Get the latest market price for benchmark jobs and jobs in your industry.

Price My Industry Jobs

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons are derived from both employer job postings and third-party data sources. We also provide multiple percentiles of salary information for your reference, click here to know Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial to Getting Pay Equity Right. With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target.

Are you an HR manager or compensation specialist?

Salary.com's CompAnalyst platform offers:

  • Detailed skills and competency reports for specific positions
  • Job and employee pricing reports
  • Compensation data tools, salary structures, surveys and benchmarks.
Learn about CompAnalyst