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Associate Creative Designer Salary in California

How much does an Associate Creative Designer make in California? As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for an Associate Creative Designer in California is $67,740 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $33.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $80,895
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $60,291 to $74,626
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $53,509
Salary Factors Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Check out Associate Creative Designer Job Openings in California

Key Factors That Influence Associate Creative Designer Salaries

An Associate Creative 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 Creative Designer Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Associate Creative 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): $66,305
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $77,687
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $94,316
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $116,473
  • Expert (over 8 years): $136,926
Job RoleYears of ExperienceAverage Salary
Associate Creative Designer less than 1 year $66,305
Graphic Design Specialist II 1-2 years $77,687
Graphic Design Specialist III 2-4 years $94,316
Graphic Design Specialist IV 5-8 years $116,473
Graphic Design Specialist V over 8 years $136,926

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

  • District of Columbia: $67,997.
  • California: $67,740.
  • Massachusetts: $66,837.

Top Paying Cities for Associate Creative 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: $67,856
  • West Hollywood: $67,807
  • Dodgertown: $67,856

Associate Creative Designer Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Associate Creative Designer roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 40% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Aerospace & Defense and Business Services sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, Associate Creative Designer positions in Biotechnology or Transportation typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Associate Creative Designer as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industry for an Associate Creative Designer

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Aerospace & Defense $81,287 $39.0 20%

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

Understanding how an Associate Creative 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 August 01, 2026
$60,291
Average $67,740/year
$74,626
$5,024
Average $5,645/month
$6,219
$1,159
Average $1,303/week
$1,435
$29
Average $33/hour
$36
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $74,626 $6,219 $1,435 $36
Average $67,740 $5,645 $1,303 $33
25th Percentile $60,291 $5,024 $1,159 $29

Find Your Next Associate Creative Designer Job

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

  • Minnesotamuseums | Joshua Tree, CA

    Designer or Senior Designer Push Play Creative

    Minnesotamuseums | Joshua Tree, CA

    Designer or Senior Designer, Push Play Creative (remote or hybrid)Push Play Creative is looking for a talented and versatile mid-level Designer or Senior D... more

    9 Days Ago

  • John McNeil Studio | Berkeley, CA

    Associate Creative Director Copy

    John McNeil Studio | Berkeley, CA

    Job Description. Job Description. John McNeil Studio is looking for an Associate Creative Director, Copy to join our team. We are a creative marketing comp... more

    6 Days Ago

  • Notability | San Francisco, CA

    Associate Director Creative

    Notability | San Francisco, CA

    Job Description. Job Description. Join Notability and shape the future of learning. We're building the next generation of tools designed not just to captur... more

    6 Days Ago

  • Headway - Design & Development | San Francisco, CA

    Associate Creative Director Brand

    Headway - Design & Development | San Francisco, CA

    Associate Creative Director, BrandHeadway's mission is a big one to build a new mental health care system everyone can access. We've built technology that ... more

    7 Days Ago

  • Clearly Filtered, Inc. | Rancho Santa Margarita, CA

    Associate Creative Director

    Clearly Filtered, Inc. | Rancho Santa Margarita, CA

    Job Description. Job Description. Location. Rancho Santa Margarita, CA. Work Type. Hybrid (3 days onsite required). FLSA Status. Exempt. Compensation. $110... more

    8 Days Ago

  • TubeScience | Los Angeles, CA

    Associate Creative Strategist

    TubeScience | Los Angeles, CA

    Job Description. Job Description. Associate Creative Strategist. Los Angeles, California, United States. DATA-DRIVEN CREATIVE, REPORTING FOR DUTY. Seeking ... 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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