Web Design Industry In California: Key Highlights
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California leads the U.S. in web design employment, with 25,370 web and digital interface designers statewide.
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Web designers in California earn top pay, with an average annual salary of $137,180 and an hourly wage of $65.95, the highest in the U.S.
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Most web design agencies in California are small, specialized teams with fewer than 49 employees.
California is home to more than 2 million businesses, all looking for ways to stand out and connect with customers online.
As a result, web design has become a key service across industries — from tech and retail to healthcare and entertainment. Businesses aren’t just looking for good-looking websites anymore, they want fast performance, easy navigation and designs that work across all devices.
This growing demand has turned the web design industry in California into one of the state’s most competitive creative sectors. Agencies and freelancers are under constant pressure to adapt to evolving styles, new technologies and rising user expectations.
In this article, we explore the latest statistics and research driving the growth of California’s web design industry.
Web Designers In California Statistics
California has long been a creative and tech powerhouse, and that reputation extends into the world of web design.
With so many companies relying on digital presence to engage customers, skilled designers are in constant demand. From user interface experts to visual design specialists, these professionals influence how people experience websites across industries.
The state’s mix of top-tier universities, innovative startups and global corporations makes it a prime environment for both new and experienced designers.
In this section, we break down where professionals are working, what they’re earning and how the California web design industry is expected to grow in the coming years:
- There are 25,370 individuals working as web and digital interface designers in California, making it the state with the largest talent pool in the industry.
- California’s concentration of web and digital designers is 1.93 times higher than the U.S. average.
- Web and digital interface designers in California have an annual mean wage of $137,180.
- The mean hourly wage for web and digital designers in California is $65.95.
- California has the highest mean wage for web and digital interface designers in the U.S.
- The California area with the highest annual mean wage for web and digital interface designers in California is San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara at $183,570.
- There are 3,870 web and digital interface designers in the San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara area.
- The California area with the second highest mean annual wage in California is San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward at $159,770.
- There are 7,140 web and digital interface designers in the San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward area.
- The mean annual wage for web and digital interface designers in the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim area is $112,170.
- There are 8,310 web and digital interface designers in the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim area.
- California’s Stanford University is ranked number one for web design and development both in the U.S. and North America.
- The second highest-ranked university for web design and development in California is Berkeley. The university also ranks number three both in the U.S. and North America.
- The number of web and digital designers in the U.S. is projected to grow by 8% by 2033, which is faster than the national average for all occupations.
What These Numbers Say About The Industry
- California leads the nation in web design talent. With over 25,000 web and digital interface designers, the state has the largest workforce in this field anywhere in the U.S.
- Top metro areas offer standout salaries. Designers in San Jose and San Francisco earn well above the state average, driven by demand from tech companies and high competition for skilled professionals.
- Job growth is expected to continue. An 8% projected increase by 2033 signals strong long-term demand for web and interface design skills nationwide.
Web Design Companies In California Statistics
California is home to tens of thousands of web design businesses, ranging from small boutique studios to full-service digital agencies.
With such a large and diverse business ecosystem, the state offers services for every kind of client — from local startups to global enterprises.
This density of providers reflects California’s status as a creative and tech-forward market where digital design is not just common, but essential.
We break down the size, structure and pricing dynamics of California’s web design companies to show how the industry operates at scale:
- California has the most web design businesses in the U.S.
- DesignRush hosts over 1,600 web design agencies in California.
- The top 50 web design agencies hosted by DesignRush charge an hourly rate of $100. However, web design costs depend on a number of factors including design elements, number of pages, messaging and more.
- Roughly 75% of California’s web design agencies listed on DesignRush have fewer than 49 employees.
- Roughly 20% of web design agencies in California listed on DesignRush have between 50 and 249 employees.
What These Numbers Say About The Industry
- California has the most web design businesses in the U.S. This reflects the state’s unmatched demand for digital presence and creative services.
- Choosing the right agency depends on your needs. With so many options available, choosing the right web design company comes down to aligning your goals, budget and required services.
- Most agencies are small teams. Around 75% of design firms have fewer than 49 employees, showing that the industry is largely made up of lean, specialized groups.
Freelance Web Design Statistics In California
Web design freelancers in California play a key role in the state’s creative economy. Many designers are choosing flexible, project-based work over traditional employment, especially in tech-forward regions.
As businesses seek agile talent for digital projects, freelancing continues to offer a practical path for both new and experienced designers.
The following overview focuses on how web design freelancers are shaping creative services across California’s dynamic job market.
- The average hourly pay for a freelance web designer in California is $34.40 per hour.
- Top web design freelancers in California earn up to $42.24 per hour.
- The top city for web design freelancers in California is Berkeley with the average hourly wage of $42.68.
- 20% of the workforce in California engages in freelance/gig work. This makes it the second most popular state for this type of work, after Florida.
- According to Fiverr, Los Angeles ranks second and San Francisco ranks ninth in the U.S. for freelance work.
What These Numbers Say About The Industry
- Freelance web designers earn solid mid‑level rates. At an average of $34.40 per hour and the top 10% reaching around $42.24 per hour, freelancers are commanding respectable earnings.
- Freelance growth is part of a national trend. Around 38% of the U.S. workforce now takes on freelance work, showing how common flexible employment has become across industries.
- Creative skills are in high demand among freelancers. Web and graphic design remain among the most popular specialties in the freelance economy, attracting both new and experienced professionals.
Californian Web Design Market
Web design plays a vital role in California’s creative and tech economy. As companies race to build stronger digital experiences, design services have become essential across nearly every industry.
The state’s massive tech sector continues to drive demand for high-quality websites, apps and digital interfaces.
With billions in revenue flowing through related services, web design has established itself as both a creative and economic force.
This section looks at the financial scope of the web design industry in California and how it fits into the state’s wider economy.
- The revenue of the graphic design industry in California stands at approximately $2.14 billion.
- The web design industry in the U.S. generated $43.5 billion in revenue in 2024.
- California’s tech industry that contributes approximately $620 billion to the U.S. economy drives demand for high-quality digital design.
What These Numbers Say About The Industry
- Graphic design brings in billions across the state. California’s graphic design industry generates over $2 billion, much of it tied to web-focused services.
- The national market is growing fast. With $43.5 billion in U.S. web design revenue in 2024, California remains the top contributor.
- Tech companies are fueling the demand. A $620 billion tech economy keeps pushing businesses to invest in better, faster and more effective digital design.
Design Your California Website With Digital Silk
The web design industry in California is thriving, driven by the state’s strong tech sector, creative talent and rising demand for digital experiences.
From independent freelancers to established agencies, professionals across the state are helping businesses build fast, user-friendly websites that stand out.
With billions in revenue and a large, skilled workforce, California continues to lead the nation in web and interface design.
At Digital Silk, we offer web design and development services in California tailored to meet the unique needs of your business. We create fully optimized websites that are engineered to build brand awareness, boost user engagement, drive conversions and deliver measurable results.
Other services we offer include:
- California digital marketing
- California branding
- Los Angeles web design
- Los Angeles digital marketing
- San Francisco web design
- San Francisco digital marketing
Contact our team online, call us at (800) 206-9413 or fill in the Request a Quote form below to schedule a consultation.
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