Creative Director Salary in South San Francisco, California
South San Francisco lies in the Bay Area. Salaries in South San Francisco reflect local market conditions. The local cost of living affects compensation.
Salary by experience level
Entry-level (0-2 years)
Salary range (per year)
$83,000 to $99,000
Average (per year)
$92,000
In South San Francisco, entry-level creative directors work with life‑science, tech‑startup, and biotech marketing teams.
Mid-level (3-5 years)
Salary range (per year)
$99,000 to $124,000
Average (per year)
$110,000
Agency offices and tech firms include mid-level positions.
Senior (6-9 years)
Salary range (per year)
$124,000 to $150,000
Average (per year)
$135,000
Branding for large biotech, pharmaceutical, and software organizations is overseen by senior creative directors.
Principal/Lead (10+ years)
Salary range (per year)
$150,000+
Leads brand vision, mentors design teams, and drives strategic creative initiatives across projects.
Hourly Rates
For freelance or contract work, hourly rates are typically higher than equivalent salaried positions.
Junior
$50 - $75
per hour
Mid-level
$75 - $110
per hour
Senior
$110 - $160
per hour