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Associate Creative Director Designer Salary in California

How much does an Associate Creative Director Designer make in California? As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for an Associate Creative Director Designer in California is $163,286 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $79.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $194,574
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $146,035 to $179,663
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $130,329
Salary Factors Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Check out Associate Creative Director Designer Job Openings in California

Key Factors That Influence Associate Creative Director Designer Salaries

An Associate Creative Director 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 Director Designer Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Associate Creative Director 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): $151,401
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $152,813
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $155,073
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $157,897
  • Expert (over 8 years): $162,149
Job RoleYears of ExperienceAverage Salary
Entry Level Associate Creative Director Designer less than 1 year $151,401
Early Career Level Associate Creative Director Designer 1-2 years $152,813
Mid-Level Level Associate Creative Director Designer 2-4 years $155,073
Senior-Level Level Associate Creative Director Designer 5-8 years $157,897
Expert Level Associate Creative Director Designer over 8 years $162,149

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

  • District of Columbia: $163,908.
  • California: $163,286.
  • Massachusetts: $161,110.

Top Paying Cities for Associate Creative Director 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: $163,567
  • West Hollywood: $163,449
  • Dodgertown: $163,566

Associate Creative Director Designer Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Associate Creative Director Designer roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 125% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Pharmaceuticals and Aerospace & Defense sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 60% above the average. In contrast, Associate Creative Director Designer positions in Transportation or Telecom typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Associate Creative Director Designer as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for an Associate Creative Director Designer

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Pharmaceuticals $261,257 $126.0 60%
Aerospace & Defense $244,929 $118.0 50%
Healthcare $220,436 $106.0 35%
Biotechnology $212,272 $102.0 30%
Media $204,107 $98.0 25%

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

Understanding how an Associate Creative Director 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
$146,035
Average $163,286/year
$179,663
$12,170
Average $13,607/month
$14,972
$2,808
Average $3,140/week
$3,455
$70
Average $79/hour
$86
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $179,663 $14,972 $3,455 $86
Average $163,286 $13,607 $3,140 $79
25th Percentile $146,035 $12,170 $2,808 $70

Find Your Next Associate Creative Director Designer Job

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

  • Coffee 'n Clothes | Calabasas, CA

    Associate Creative Director

    Coffee 'n Clothes | Calabasas, CA

    About the Company :Coffee 'n Clothes is looking for aFreelance Associate Creative Directorwith an experiential design background to join our team.This role... more

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    11 Days Ago

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    Associate Creative Director, Art Mutiny is Trailer Park Group's integrated creative agency focused solely on the video gaming space.Deep audience insights ... more

    9 Days Ago

  • Trailer Park Group | Los Angeles, CA

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    Trailer Park Group | Los Angeles, CA

    Associate Creative Director - FreelanceTrailer Park Group is a full-service, global agency specializing in content creation and entertainment marketing. Tr... more

    9 Days Ago

  • Mutiny Corp | Los Angeles, CA

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    Mutiny Corp | Los Angeles, CA

    Associate Creative Director, ArtMutiny is Trailer Park Group's integrated creative agency focused solely on the video gaming space.Deep audience insights a... more

    9 Days Ago

  • Collier.Simon | Los Angeles, CA

    Associate Creative Director AI

    Collier.Simon | Los Angeles, CA

    A creative agency in Los Angeles is seeking an experienced Associate Creative Director to partner with the Creative Director on high-impact client work.The... more

    9 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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