ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Associate Designer Jobs in Tennessee (NOW HIRING)

Art of Drawers Knoxville

Design Associate

Knoxville, TN · On-site

$70 - $100/hr

At Art of Drawers, Design Associates use those same skills to help clients solve frustrating home storage issues with custom solutions. No design degree required. What You Get * Pay Upgrade: $70-$100 ...

Aegis Worldwide

Designer

Knoxville, TN

$25 - $32/hr

**Designer - Knoxville, TN ** Contract to hire (6 months on contract before permanent hire) We are ... Associate degree or technical degree in Drafting, Design, Engineering Technology, or a related ...

Aegis Worldwide

Designer

Knoxville, TN

$25 - $32/hr

**Designer - Knoxville, TN** Contract to hire (6 months on contract before permanent hire) We are ... Associate degree or technical degree in Drafting, Design, Engineering Technology, or a related ...

Aegis Worldwide

Designer

Knoxville, TN · On-site

$25 - $32/hr

Designer - (Pipe Support Design) Location: (Greater Knoxville Area) Schedule: Monday-Thursday: 7:45 ... Technical degree or Associate's degree in Drafting, Design Technology, Mechanical Design, or ...

Mesa Associates Inc.

Senior Physical Designer

Knoxville, TN · Hybrid

$90K - $97K/yr

Ideal candidate has over 8 years of experience designing physical equipment/systems associated with ... Mesa Associates, Inc. and its subsidiaries do not accept unsolicited resumes and will not be ...

Mesa Associates, Inc.

Senior Physical Designer

Knoxville, TN · Hybrid

$90K - $97K/yr

Ideal candidate has over 8 years of experience designing physical equipment/systems associated with ... Mesa Associates, Inc. and its subsidiaries do not accept unsolicited resumes and will not be ...

Crateandbarrel

With a team of more than 8,000 associates spanning 130 store and distribution locations across the ... Crate and Barrel Designers are passionate about helping customers envision possibilities with the ...

Diversified Conveyors Intl

Designer 1

Memphis, TN · On-site

Designers use their experience/knowledge along with computer aided design systems (AutoCAD) to ... Associates degree or higher preferred. * Extensive knowledge of AutoCAD required. * High energy ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

All JobsAssociate Designer JobsAssociate Designer Jobs in Tennessee

Associate Designer information

See Tennessee salary details

$17.7K

$53.1K

$79.4K

How much do associate designer jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 23, 2026, the average yearly pay for associate designer in Tennessee is $53,150.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $44,000.00 and $61,700.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What Is an Associate Designer?

An associate designer is responsible for assisting the lead designer or art director with the production and design of creative projects. Associate designers can work in a variety of industries, include fashion, graphic design, and interior design. As an associate designer, your job duties vary significantly by industry, but they generally involve researching trends, communicating with clients, and procuring materials necessary for designing the project. Regarding academic qualifications, you need a bachelor’s degree in fine arts or a major related to the specific industry in which you choose to work. Some employers may require previous experience or a portfolio that proves your design skills.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Associate Designer, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Associate Designer, you generally need a strong foundation in design principles, proficiency with design software (such as Adobe Creative Suite), and a relevant degree or portfolio showcasing your work. Familiarity with tools like Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, and sometimes prototyping platforms like Figma or Sketch is often required. Strong attention to detail, creativity, and effective communication skills help you excel in collaborative environments and respond to feedback. These skills ensure you can contribute high-quality, innovative designs that meet client or project objectives in a fast-paced industry.

Is Associate designer higher than designer?

In most organizations, an Associate Designer is considered a junior or entry-level role, while a Designer is typically a more experienced or mid-level position. The hierarchy can vary depending on the company's structure, but generally, Designers have more responsibilities and require a higher skill level than Associate Designers.

What does an associate designer do?

An associate designer supports the design team by creating visual concepts, drafting layouts, and developing prototypes using tools like Adobe Creative Suite. They assist in project development, collaborate with senior designers, and often gain experience to advance in the design field.

How does an Associate Designer typically collaborate with other team members during a project?

Associate Designers work closely with senior designers, project managers, and cross-functional teams such as marketing, engineering, or product development. Collaboration often involves participating in brainstorming sessions, contributing design ideas, and iterating on feedback from multiple stakeholders. Regular communication—via meetings, design reviews, and digital collaboration tools—is essential to ensure that design concepts align with project goals and brand guidelines. This teamwork helps Associate Designers learn from experienced colleagues and refine their skills in a supportive environment.

What is the difference between Associate Designer vs Junior Designer?

AspectAssociate DesignerJunior Designer
Required CredentialsBachelor's degree in design or related field; some employers may prefer internship experienceBachelor's degree in design or related field; entry-level position
Work EnvironmentCollaborates with senior designers, participates in projects, and supports design teamsAssists in design tasks, learns workflows, and gains practical experience
Employer & Industry UsageUsed across creative agencies, in-house design teams, and studiosCommon entry-level role in similar settings

Associate Designers typically have more responsibilities and may oversee parts of projects, while Junior Designers focus on learning and supporting design tasks. Both roles require similar educational backgrounds, but Associate Designers are often more experienced and involved in project execution.

What is the highest paid designer job?

The highest paid designer roles are often senior positions such as Creative Director or Design Director, especially in large corporations or specialized fields like user experience (UX) or product design. These roles typically require extensive experience, leadership skills, and proficiency with design tools, and they can earn six-figure salaries or more depending on the industry and location.

How much do associate designers make?

Associate designers typically earn between $45,000 and $65,000 annually, depending on experience, industry, and location. Entry-level positions may start lower, while those with specialized skills or in high-demand markets can earn more.
More about Associate Designer jobs
What are the most commonly searched types of Designer jobs in Tennessee? The most popular types of Designer jobs in Tennessee are:
What are popular job titles related to Associate Designer jobs in Tennessee? For Associate Designer jobs in Tennessee, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Associate Designer jobs in Tennessee look for? The top searched job categories for Associate Designer jobs in Tennessee are:
What cities in Tennessee are hiring for Associate Designer jobs? Cities in Tennessee with the most Associate Designer job openings:
What are popular job titles related to Associate Designer jobs in TN? For Associate Designer jobs in TN, the most frequently searched job titles are:
Associate Designer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Associate Designer job openings in Tennessee as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 70% Full Time, 25% Part Time, 2% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $53,150 per year, or $25.6 per hour.
Substation Physical (Outdoor) Associate Designer II

Substation Physical (Outdoor) Associate Designer II

Mesa Associates Inc.

Chattanooga, TN • On-site, Remote

Full-time

Posted 28 days ago

Job description

PDS 6  / Power Delivery Substation

This position is not eligible for recruiting or sourcing by outside parties. 

Disclaimer: Be cautious and only respond to emails from our “mesainc.com” domain. We will never ask for sensitive information, such as bank account details, SSN, etc., via email. If you receive any communication asking for such information, it is not from Mesa. For any concerns, or to verify the authenticity of a message, please contact us through our official channels.

We have the power to energize Your career and spark YOUR Work/Life Balance through professional development and exceptional benefits. Don’t delay, plug in today for an inclusive meaningful career in power, distribution, transmission, engineering, design, technology, or innovation at Mesa Associates, Inc.

Mesa seeks an Associate Designer to be responsible for the design of deliverables associated with a high voltage substation design projects. Candidate must be familiar with the design of One Line Diagrams, Substation Layouts, Foundation Plans, Conduit/Raceway Plans, Grounding Plans, Bills of Materials, and Cable Schedules. The design will be done using Autodesk products, mainly AutoCAD. 

Responsibilities

  • Must be able to complete assignments within budget and schedule with a high degree of accuracy
  • Works under the direction of a Substation Engineering Group Lead
  • Utilize AutoCAD based design standards
  • Performs technical preparation of deliverables and other project documents
  • Ensures deliverables comply with IEEE and/or client standards and meet applicable design requirements

Required Qualifications

  • Associate's degree in a relevant technical field
  • 2-5 years experience in the design of substation design deliverables
  • Proficiency in verbal and written communication

Preferred Qualifications

  • Expertise utilizing AutoCAD
  • Knowledge of Power Systems or Substation Design
  • Keen interest in learning and using the latest Autodesk software tools, methods, and technologies to develop Power Substation design

This opportunity is a fully remote arrangement located in the Southeast region of the United States.

Notice to External Search Firms: Mesa Associates, Inc. and its subsidiaries do not accept unsolicited resumes and will not be obligated to pay a placement fee for unsolicited resumes. Mesa Associates, Inc. Talent Acquisition engages with approved search firms directly for specific hiring needs.

Apply