CreativeOfficial Payroll Survey · 99/1003–5 years

3–5 Years Experience Illustrator Salary in Los Angeles

2026 · Professionals with 3–5 years building toward senior-level expertise.

$81,360/yr

Typical range: $65,680 $115,694

P25–P50 · BLS OEWS employer payroll data

Illustrator Salary Progression in Los Angeles

From entry-level through staff — based on BLS OEWS percentile data

Experience LevelYearsPercentileAnnual SalaryMonthlyvs Entry
Entry0 yrs0 yrs$54,046$4,504
Junior2 yrs2 yrs$69,737$5,811+29%
Mid-LevelThis page4 yrs4 yrs$81,360$6,780+51%
Senior6 yrs6 yrs$92,053$7,671+70%
Staff10 yrs10 yrs$111,579$9,298+106%
Principal14 yrs14 yrs$126,921$10,577+135%
Distinguished18 yrs18 yrs$130,757$10,896+142%
Current Salary
$81,360
3–5 Years Experience · 3–5 years
Hourly: $39/hr
Next Level Target
$92,053
Senior · 6
+$11Kpotential uplift
Career Opportunity
28/100
High Risk
+5% demand · Moderate AI risk

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the 3–5 years experience Illustrator salary in Los Angeles, CA?

3–5 Years Experience Illustrators in Los Angeles, CA earn approximately $81K per year (2026). This corresponds to the P25–P50 range of BLS OEWS employer payroll data.

How much does a 3–5 years experience Illustrator make per hour in Los Angeles, CA?

Based on $81K annually, the hourly rate is approximately $39/hr (2,080-hour work year).

How do I get from 3–5 years experience to senior Illustrator in Los Angeles, CA?

The typical progression takes 2–4 years with consistent skill development, project leadership, and strategic job moves. A senior Illustrator in Los Angeles, CA earns $116K–$149K/yr.