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Associate Apparel Designer Salary in California

How much does an Associate Apparel Designer make in California? As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for an Associate Apparel Designer in California is $86,696 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $42.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $103,872
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $77,997 to $95,687
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $70,077
Salary Factors Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Check out Associate Apparel Designer Job Openings in California

Key Factors That Influence Associate Apparel Designer Salaries

An Associate Apparel Designer'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 Associate Apparel Designer Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Associate Apparel Designer'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): $68,699
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $84,823
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $108,910
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $151,601
  • Expert (over 8 years): $143,937
Job RoleYears of ExperienceAverage Salary
Fashion Designer I less than 1 year $68,699
Associate Apparel Designer 1-2 years $84,823
Fashion Designer III 2-4 years $108,910
Fashion Designer IV 5-8 years $151,601
Manager of Fashion Design over 8 years $143,937

How Do Associate Apparel Designer 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 Associate Apparel Designers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $87,026.
  • California: $86,696.
  • Massachusetts: $85,540.

Top Paying Cities for Associate Apparel Designer

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: $86,845
  • West Hollywood: $86,782
  • Dodgertown: $86,844

Associate Apparel Designer Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Associate Apparel Designer roles, the industry you choose can impact your earning potential by as much as 20% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the highest-paying industry, Retail & Wholesale, offers compensation 10% above the average. Conversely, Associate Apparel Designer positions in MFG Nondurable typically offer lower base pay, as this sector often view Associate Apparel Designer as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industry for an Associate Apparel Designer

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Retail & Wholesale $95,365 $46.0 10%

Associate Apparel Designer Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an Associate Apparel Designer'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
$77,997
Average $86,696/year
$95,687
$6,500
Average $7,225/month
$7,974
$1,500
Average $1,667/week
$1,840
$37
Average $42/hour
$46
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $95,687 $7,974 $1,840 $46
Average $86,696 $7,225 $1,667 $42
25th Percentile $77,997 $6,500 $1,500 $37

Find Your Next Associate Apparel Designer Job

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

  • Dick's Sporting Goods | Redding, CA

    Retail Sales Associate Apparel

    Dick's Sporting Goods | Redding, CA

    Dick's Sporting Goods - JobID: 202603149 [Retail Sales / Team Member] As an Apparel Associate at Dick's Sporting Goods, you'll: Greet everyone and proactiv... more

    9 Days Ago

  • Dick's Sporting Goods | Santa Rosa, CA

    Retail Sales Associate Apparel

    Dick's Sporting Goods | Santa Rosa, CA

    Dick's Sporting Goods - JobID: 202603097 [Retail Sales / Team Member] As an Apparel Associate at Dick's Sporting Goods, you'll: Greet everyone and proactiv... more

    9 Days Ago

  • Worldwide Golf | Santa Ana, CA

    Apparel Sales Associate

    Worldwide Golf | Santa Ana, CA

    Apparel Sales Associate, Part-Time - Roger Dunn Golf Shops. Santa Ana, CA 92705. Overview. Position Type Part Time Category Apparel Sales. Description. Wha... more

    9 Days Ago

  • Saks Global | San Diego, CA

    Womens Designer Ready Wear Contemporary &amp Womens Apparel Sales Manager

    Saks Global | San Diego, CA

    Sales Manager. Salary Range $71,224 - $89,030. Neiman Marcus is a leading luxury retailer that provides a curated product assortment, unparalleled services... more

    10 Days Ago

  • Anyon LLC | San Francisco, CA

    Associate Designer

    Anyon LLC | San Francisco, CA

    Job Description. Job Description. Associate Designer Job Description. The Associate Designer plays a pivotal role in supporting the firm’s design projects ... more

    8 Days Ago

  • FAM Brands | Beverly Hills, CA

    Associate Designer

    FAM Brands | Beverly Hills, CA

    Job Description. Job Description. Founded in 2000, FAM Brands designs, manufactures, and sells men's and women's sportswear and active wear apparel to majo... more

    8 Days Ago

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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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