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Associate Communications Manager Salary in California

How much does an Associate Communications Manager make in California? As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for an Associate Communications Manager in California is $137,890 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $66.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $160,743
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $125,590 to $149,852
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $114,391
Salary Factors Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Check out Associate Communications Manager Job Openings in California

Key Factors That Influence Associate Communications Manager Salaries

An Associate Communications Manager'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 Communications Manager Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Associate Communications Manager'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): $130,346
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $169,970
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $135,398
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $200,103
  • Expert (over 8 years): $269,182
Job RoleYears of ExperienceAverage Salary
Communications Representative IV less than 1 year $130,346
Communications Representative V 1-2 years $169,970
Associate Communications Manager 2-4 years $135,398
Communications Director 5-8 years $200,103
VP of Communications over 8 years $269,182

How Do Associate Communications Manager 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 Communications Managers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $138,416.
  • California: $137,890.
  • Massachusetts: $136,053.

Top Paying Cities for Associate Communications Manager

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: $138,128
  • West Hollywood: $138,028
  • Dodgertown: $138,127

Associate Communications Manager Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Associate Communications Manager roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 113% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Software & Networking and Internet sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 80% above the average. In contrast, Associate Communications Manager positions in Hospitality & Leisure or Transportation typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Associate Communications Manager as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for an Associate Communications Manager

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Software & Networking $248,203 $119.0 80%
Internet $220,625 $106.0 60%
Financial Services $193,047 $93.0 40%
Biotechnology $179,258 $86.0 30%
Pharmaceuticals $172,363 $83.0 25%

Associate Communications Manager Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an Associate Communications Manager'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
$125,590
Average $137,890/year
$149,852
$10,466
Average $11,491/month
$12,488
$2,415
Average $2,652/week
$2,882
$60
Average $66/hour
$72
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $149,852 $12,488 $2,882 $72
Average $137,890 $11,491 $2,652 $66
25th Percentile $125,590 $10,466 $2,415 $60

Find Your Next Associate Communications Manager Job

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

  • City of Torrance | Torrance, CA

    COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER

    City of Torrance | Torrance, CA

    WE STRONGLY ENCOURAGE APPLICANTS TO READ THE JOB ANNOUNCEMENT IN ITS ENTIRETY BEFORE SUBMITTING AN APPLICATION FOR THIS POSITION.__________________________... more

    5 Days Ago

  • California Fair Plan Assn | Los Angeles, CA

    Communications Manager

    California Fair Plan Assn | Los Angeles, CA

    POSITION SUMMARYThe Communications Manager is responsible for the Association's communications strategy, roadmap and execution and leads a team of communic... more

    5 Days Ago

  • LA's BEST | Los Angeles, CA

    Marketing&amp Communications Associate

    LA's BEST | Los Angeles, CA

    Job Description. Job Description. About LA’s BEST. LA’s BEST is a public/private partnership between the City of Los Angeles, the Los Angeles Unified Schoo... more

    4 Days Ago

  • The International School of San Francisco | San Francisco, CA

    Associate Director of Marketing and Communications

    The International School of San Francisco | San Francisco, CA

    Job Description. Job Description. Associate Director of Marketing and Communications. Department. Marketing and Communications. Status. Full-time, Exempt. ... more

    4 Days Ago

  • Immigrant Legal Resource Center | San Francisco, CA

    California Communications Associate

    Immigrant Legal Resource Center | San Francisco, CA

    Job Description. Job Description. The Immigrant Legal Resource Center is Hiring. California Communications Associate. San Francisco, CA. The Immigrant Lega... more

    4 Days Ago

  • Encoded Therapeutics | San Francisco, CA

    Associate Director Scientific Communications

    Encoded Therapeutics | San Francisco, CA

    Job Description. Job Description. Encoded Therapeutics Inc. is a biotechnology company advancing precision medicines for a broad range of genetic disorders... more

    4 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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