Access to job opportunities is one of the most compelling reasons to learn graphic design in Los Angeles. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicts steady future growth in this field, particularly for designers who work with digital media. It projects approximately 21,000 job openings each year over the next ten years for Graphic Designers. The agency finds that the Los Angeles metropolitan area has more Graphic Designers than any other U.S. city except New York City, with more than 14,000 Graphic Designers working there.
Strong future growth is also projected for Digital Design, another profession that utilizes graphic design skills. BLS groups Digital Designers in a category that also includes Web Developers and predicts 8% growth over the next decade, which is double the average job growth rate of 4%. It explains that ecommerce and the growing use of mobile devices are two factors driving demand for digital design. Los Angeles employs more than 8,000 people in this category, according to BLS.
Graphic design also gives you lots of different job options. Los Angeles is known for its creative community and is home to many graphic design firms, ranging in size from small companies that only have a few employees to very large firms. In addition, Graphic Designers can be found working in many other industries that need their services, including marketing, entertainment, tourism, and digital media. Graphic Designers also work in healthcare, education, and government, which are three of the largest employers in Los Angeles.
Most Graphic Designers are paid well for their work. The median salary for a Graphic Designer in Los Angeles is $87,000, according to BLS, which is much higher than the national average in this profession, which is only $58,000. Related professions also pay well. For instance, as reported by Glassdoor, a Los Angeles Digital Designer earns $100,000 yearly on average, and a Motion Graphic Designer earns $106,000.
Even if becoming a Graphic Designer isn’t your primary focus, you’re likely to benefit from graphic design skills. In a Built In article titled “Everyone Needs Design Skills. Here’s Why,” the author explains that an increasing number of employers want their employees to have strong visual communication skills because visual communication has become integral to almost every business. She insists, “With the world becoming an increasingly digital and visual place, developing the skills to communicate visually has never been more important.”
What Los Angeles industries need Graphic Designers
Los Angeles is known as a hub for design and entertainment and offers many job opportunities for Graphic Designers. The Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation calls this city “the creative capital of the nation.”
- Film and television: Los Angeles is often referred to as the entertainment capital of the world and is known for its film and television industry. The Walt Disney Company is one of the largest employers in Los Angeles, with more than 13,000 employees, according to the Los Angeles Almanac. The Almanac also includes NBCUniversal, Paramount Pictures, Warner Bros. Entertainment, and Sony Pictures Entertainment on its list of Largest Employers in Los Angeles County. Altogether, the film and television industry employs tens of thousands of people, some of them experts in graphic design. Graphic Designers create many different types of visual elements for films and television, including visual effects, credits and title sequences, and sets and props.
- Marketing: Graphic Designers play an important role in influencing customers and are essential to the marketing industry. They design product branding and create a wide variety of marketing materials, including print, digital ads, and social media. As a world leader in fashion, entertainment, and technology, which all need marketing, Los Angeles has become a marketing hub. It is home to hundreds of different marketing agencies of all sizes.
- Web design: Graphic Designers create elements for websites and applications, including social media. In recent years, this has become one of the most in-demand fields of graphic design. According to BLS, the Los Angeles metropolitan area employs more than 8,000 Web and Digital Interface Designers.
- Gaming: Some Graphic Designers create content for video games. According to a 2024 Los Angeles Times article, there are more than 200 video game companies in Los Angeles. Companies include PlayStation, Activision, Riot Games, Blizzard Entertainment, and Electronic Arts.
- Tourism: The Los Angeles area has many iconic attractions, like Disneyland and Hollywood, as well as mild year-round weather and scenic beaches. Millions of tourists visit this city every year, and an increase is expected with the 2028 Summer Olympics. According to the Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board website, tourism supports more than 550,000 jobs in Los Angeles. Graphic Designers create promotional material for the tourism industry. They also design visual material that enhances the experience of tourists, such as guides and maps.
- Future innovators: In addition to its many existing job opportunities, Los Angeles offers the prospect of unexpected and unconventional graphic design-related job opportunities in the future. On its website page titled “Marketing, Design & Publishing,” the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation explains that this city often sees “creative collisions” between different industries in the area, which leads to innovation and new business ideas. For instance, it says, “Many high-tech businesses are growing where there is a confluence between aerospace and entertainment, gaming and animation, content development and distribution, arts and content.” Collisions between industries in Los Angeles may lead to many exciting new job opportunities in graphic design in the future.
Other things to consider about working in Los Angeles
The cost of living
While graphic design wages in Los Angeles are significantly higher than average, it's important to understand that living costs in this city are also well above average. According to Payscale, in Los Angeles, the cost of living is 50% greater than the average nationally. One of the biggest costs is housing, which is 137% more expensive, according to Payscale. U.S. News & World Report finds that the median home price in this city is above $860,000. Many other basic costs are also higher in Los Angeles. Payscale reports that transportation is 33% more, groceries 12% more, and utilities 10% more.
Getting around the city
Most people in Los Angeles drive to work, and as the second-most populous city in the United States, Los Angeles is notorious for its traffic. According to the Los Angeles Almanac, each year, a resident of Los Angeles will spend roughly five days of their life in traffic. Fortunately, graphic design is a career that can often be done on a freelance basis, meaning that you might be able to work from home some of the time or at least have more control over when you need to commute. According to BLS, it is very common for Graphic Designers to work for themselves; it reports that 18% are self-employed, which is a much higher percentage than in many other careers.
Competition for jobs
There are many graphic design opportunities in Los Angeles; however, this city also has a large number of skilled designers, so the job market is competitive. In an article titled “What do you do if you're struggling to stand out in the competitive graphic design job market as a beginner?” LinkedIn offers tips for Graphic Designers trying to get a job. It stresses the importance of having a strong portfolio and learning new skills so that you’ll stay relevant. In addition, it insists that networking is crucial. It explains that there are many ways to do this: “You can join online communities, forums, and groups related to graphic design and participate in discussions, feedback sessions, and challenges. You can also reach out to other graphic designers, mentors, or influencers and offer to collaborate on projects, exchange ideas, or ask for referrals.”
A graphic design certification can also be beneficial if you’re trying to stand out from your competition. Not only is this a great way to learn new skills and boost your resume, but it can help you stay up to date on current trends and technology. Classes may also expose you to valuable networking opportunities.
