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Associate Artist Salary in California

How much does an Associate Artist make in California? As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for an Associate Artist in California is $81,326 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $39.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $99,725
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $72,630 to $90,957
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $64,713
Salary Factors Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Check out Associate Artist Job Openings in California

Key Factors That Influence Associate Artist Salaries

An Associate Artist'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 Artist Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Associate Artist'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): $79,320
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $92,251
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $111,622
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $147,180
  • Expert (over 8 years): $179,714
Job RoleYears of ExperienceAverage Salary
Associate Artist less than 1 year $79,320
Research and Development Associate II 1-2 years $92,251
Research and Development Associate III 2-4 years $111,622
Research and Development Associate IV 5-8 years $147,180
Research and Development Associate V over 8 years $179,714

How Do Associate Artist 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 Artists. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $81,636.
  • California: $81,326.
  • Massachusetts: $80,242.

Top Paying Cities for Associate Artist

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: $81,466
  • West Hollywood: $81,407
  • Dodgertown: $81,465

Associate Artist Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Associate Artist 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, Associate Artist positions in Hospitality & Leisure or Transportation typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Associate Artist as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for an Associate Artist

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Software & Networking $109,790 $53.0 35%
Pharmaceuticals $105,724 $51.0 30%
Biotechnology $101,658 $49.0 25%
Financial Services $101,658 $49.0 25%
Internet $97,591 $47.0 20%

Associate Artist Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an Associate Artist'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 August 01, 2026
$72,630
Average $81,326/year
$90,957
$6,053
Average $6,777/month
$7,580
$1,397
Average $1,564/week
$1,749
$35
Average $39/hour
$44
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $90,957 $7,580 $1,749 $44
Average $81,326 $6,777 $1,564 $39
25th Percentile $72,630 $6,053 $1,397 $35

Find Your Next Associate Artist Job

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

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    Duluth Trading Company | EAGLE RIVER, AK

    Duluth Trading Company is seeking a PT Sales Associate to deliver outstanding service in a fast‑paced retail environment. In this role, you’ll greet custom... more

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  • Amazon | MIDDLETOWN, DE

    Warehouse Associate

    Amazon | MIDDLETOWN, DE

    Amazon is hiring Delivery Station Warehouse Associates to support fast, accurate last-mile delivery. In this on-site role, you will receive, sort, scan, an... more

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    Distribution Associate

    Amazon | MIDDLETOWN, DE

    Amazon is hiring Distribution Associates to support our Transportation & Logistics network within our Warehouse & Manufacturing operations. In this fast-pa... more

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  • Marvin | LANGDON, ND

    Manufacturing Associate

    Marvin | LANGDON, ND

    Marvin is seeking a Day Shift Manufacturing Associate to help build premium windows, doors, and skylights at our Warroad facility. In this role, you’ll ope... more

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  • Marvin | WALHALLA, ND

    Manufacturing Associate

    Marvin | WALHALLA, ND

    Marvin is hiring a Day Shift Manufacturing Associate to help produce premium windows, doors, and skylights for residential and commercial projects. In this... more

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  • Marvin | PEMBINA, ND

    Manufacturing Associate

    Marvin | PEMBINA, ND

    Marvin is hiring Entry Level Manufacturing Associates to help build premium windows, doors, and skylights at our Warroad, MN facility. In this hands-on rol... more

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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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