Creative Director Salary in San Francisco, CA
Annual base compensation · May 2026 · BLS OES Survey Data
What is the average Creative Director salary in San Francisco?+
The median Creative Director salary in San Francisco, CA is $170,000 per year as of May 2026. The middle 50% of earners fall between $130,000 and $225,000.
What is the entry-level Creative Director salary in San Francisco?+
Entry-level Creative Director positions in San Francisco typically start around $130,000 per year (25th percentile). With 2–4 years of experience, compensation climbs toward the market median of $170,000.
What do senior Creative Directors earn in San Francisco?+
Senior Creative Directors in San Francisco earn $225,000 at the 75th percentile and up to $285,000 at the 90th percentile, reflecting 6+ years of experience and management responsibilities.
How has the Creative Director market changed in San Francisco?+
Year-over-year salary growth for Creative Directors in San Francisco stands at 2.1% as of May 2026, indicating moderate demand in the local market.
| Market | 25th Pct. | Median | 75th Pct. | YoY |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New York, NY | $120,000 | $160,000 | $210,000 | +2.1% |
| Seattle, WA | $110,000 | $150,000 | $195,000 | +2.1% |
| Boston, MA | $105,000 | $140,000 | $185,000 | +2.1% |
| Los Angeles, CA | $115,000 | $155,000 | $200,000 | +2.1% |
| San Diego, CA | $105,000 | $140,000 | $185,000 | +2.1% |
| Sacramento, CA | $100,000 | $135,000 | $180,000 | +2.1% |
| Washington DC, DC | $105,000 | $145,000 | $190,000 | +2.1% |
| Baltimore, MD | $90,000 | $120,000 | $160,000 | +2.1% |
| Role | 25th Pct. | Median | 75th Pct. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Software Engineer | $140,000 | $190,000 | $240,000 |
| Full Stack Developer | $130,000 | $175,000 | $225,000 |
| Frontend Developer | $115,000 | $155,000 | $205,000 |
| Backend Developer | $130,000 | $170,000 | $220,000 |
| iOS Developer | $135,000 | $175,000 | $230,000 |
| Android Developer | $130,000 | $170,000 | $220,000 |