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Associate Creative Designer Salary in California

How much does an Associate Creative Designer make in California? As of October 01, 2026, the average salary for an Associate Creative Designer in California is $67,738 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): $80,900
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $60,277 to $74,628
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $53,483
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): $66,303
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $79,550
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $94,313
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $116,461
  • Expert (over 8 years): $136,931
Job RoleYears of ExperienceAverage Salary
Associate Creative Designer less than 1 year $66,303
Graphic Design Specialist II 1-2 years $79,550
Graphic Design Specialist III 2-4 years $94,313
Graphic Design Specialist IV 5-8 years $116,461
Graphic Design Specialist V over 8 years $136,931

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: $67,996.
  • California: $67,738.
  • Massachusetts: $66,835.

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: $67,855
  • West Hollywood: $67,806
  • Dodgertown: $67,854

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 $81,286 $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 October 01, 2026
$60,277
Average $67,738/year
$74,628
$5,023
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 $74,628 $6,219 $1,435 $36
Average $67,738 $5,645 $1,303 $33
25th Percentile $60,277 $5,023 $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.

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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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