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Architectural Design Associate Salary in California

How much does an Architectural Design Associate make in California? As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for an Architectural Design Associate in California is $77,992 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $37.

However, an Architectural Design Associate's salary can vary significantly. Here's a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $95,629
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $69,651 to $87,224
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $62,057
Salary Factors Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Check out Architectural Design Associate Job Openings in California

Key Factors That Influence Architectural Design Associate Salaries

An Architectural Design Associate's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Architectural Design Associate Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Architectural Design Associate's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $76,069
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $88,468
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $107,039
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $141,155
  • Expert (over 8 years): $172,350
Job RoleYears of ExperienceAverage Salary
Architectural Design Associate less than 1 year $76,069
Research and Development Associate II 1-2 years $88,468
Research and Development Associate III 2-4 years $107,039
Research and Development Associate IV 5-8 years $141,155
Research and Development Associate V over 8 years $172,350

How Do Architectural Design Associate Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Architectural Design Associates. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $78,289.
  • California: $77,992.
  • Massachusetts: $76,953.

Top Paying Cities for Architectural Design Associate

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • Los Angeles: $78,127
  • West Hollywood: $78,070
  • Dodgertown: $78,126

Architectural Design Associate Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Architectural Design Associate roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 65% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Software & Networking and Pharmaceuticals sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 35% above the average. In contrast, Architectural Design Associate positions in Hospitality & Leisure or Transportation typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Architectural Design Associate as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for an Architectural Design Associate

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Software & Networking $105,290 $51.0 35%
Pharmaceuticals $101,390 $49.0 30%
Biotechnology $97,491 $47.0 25%
Financial Services $97,491 $47.0 25%
Internet $93,591 $45.0 20%

Architectural Design Associate Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an Architectural Design Associate's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

  • Yearly
  • Monthly
  • Weekly
  • Hourly
  • Table View
Last Updated on September 01, 2026
$69,651
Average $77,992/year
$87,224
$5,804
Average $6,499/month
$7,269
$1,339
Average $1,500/week
$1,677
$33
Average $37/hour
$42
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $87,224 $7,269 $1,677 $42
Average $77,992 $6,499 $1,500 $37
25th Percentile $69,651 $5,804 $1,339 $33

Find Your Next Architectural Design Associate Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Architectural Design Associate job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

  • CLMI Group, LLC | Valencia, CA

    Design Associate Talent Community

    CLMI Group, LLC | Valencia, CA

    Job Description. Job Description. CLMI Group is looking for passionate construction professionals to join our team. While we may not have a current opening... more

    5 Days Ago

  • Ambiance Home | Irvine, CA

    Sales Associate Design Advisor

    Ambiance Home | Irvine, CA

    Job Description. Job Description. Sales Associate Job Requirements. Our Ambiance Home Sales Associates transform store guests into loyal customers. When gu... more

    5 Days Ago

  • Joybird | Los Angeles, CA

    Joybird Design Sales Associate

    Joybird | Los Angeles, CA

    La-Z-Boy Incorporated. Comfort starts with our 10,000+ team members across the globe, who are transforming the power of comfort every day. Our employees ha... more

    5 Days Ago

  • NakedMD | Costa Mesa, CA

    Graphic Design Marketing Associate

    NakedMD | Costa Mesa, CA

    Job Description. Job Description. NakedMD is on the lookout for a Graphic Design/Marketing Associate to join our dynamic team. This is an exciting opportun... more

    6 Days Ago

  • Syntronic R&D USA | Sunnyvale, CA

    RF Design Associate

    Syntronic R&D USA | Sunnyvale, CA

    Job Description. Job Description. Are you ready to be part of a leading global engineering design house specializing in the design and development of embed... more

    7 Days Ago

  • La-Z-Boy | San Francisco, CA

    Joybird Design Sales Associate

    La-Z-Boy | San Francisco, CA

    La-Z-Boy Incorporated. Comfort starts with our 10,000+ team members across the globe, who are transforming the power of comfort every day. Our employees ha... more

    8 Days Ago

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Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons are derived from both employer job postings and third-party data sources. We also provide multiple percentiles of salary information for your reference, click here to know Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial to Getting Pay Equity Right. With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target.

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