ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Associate Designer Jobs in Washington (NOW HIRING)

George Sexton Associates, LLC

Be Seen First

Junior Lighting Designer - Architect

Washington, DC · On-site

$55K - $70K/yr

Junior Lighting Designer George Sexton Associates (GSA) is seeking to hire a creative, ambitious Junior Lighting Designer to add to our collaborative design team at our DC or NYC offices . The work ...

Crateandbarrel

Designer

Annapolis, MD

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 ...

George Sexton Associates, LLC

Be Seen First

Junior Lighting Designer - Architect

Washington, DC · On-site

$55K - $70K/yr

Junior Lighting Designer George Sexton Associates (GSA) is seeking to hire a creative, ambitious Junior Lighting Designer to add to our collaborative design team at our DC or NYC offices . The work ...

George Sexton Associates, LLC

Be Seen First

Senior Lighting Designer - Architect

Washington, DC · On-site

$80K - $95K/yr

Senior Lighting Designer George Sexton Associates (GSA) is seeking to hire a creative, knowledgeable Senior Lighting Designer to add to our collaborative design team at both our DC and NYC offices.

George Sexton Associates, LLC

Be Seen First

Senior Lighting Designer - Architect

Washington, DC · On-site

$80K - $95K/yr

Senior Lighting Designer George Sexton Associates (GSA) is seeking to hire a creative, knowledgeable Senior Lighting Designer to add to our collaborative design team at both our DC and NYC offices.

next page

Showing results 1-20

All JobsAssociate Designer JobsAssociate Designer Jobs in Washington

Associate Designer information

See Washington salary details

$22.1K

$66.3K

$99.1K

How much do associate designer jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 21, 2026, the average yearly pay for associate designer in Washington is $66,325.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $54,900.00 and $77,000.00 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 Washington? The most popular types of Designer jobs in Washington are:
What are popular job titles related to Associate Designer jobs in Washington? For Associate Designer jobs in Washington, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Associate Designer jobs in Washington look for? The top searched job categories for Associate Designer jobs in Washington are:
What cities in Washington are hiring for Associate Designer jobs? Cities in Washington with the most Associate Designer job openings:
What are popular job titles related to Associate Designer jobs in WA? For Associate Designer jobs in WA, the most frequently searched job titles are:
Associate Designer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Associate Designer job openings in Washington as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 67% Full Time, 30% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 94% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $66,325 per year, or $31.9 per hour.
Interior Designer/Associate

Interior Designer/Associate

Sheladia Associates, Inc

Rockville, MD • On-site

$60K - $94K/yr

Full-time

Posted 21 days ago

Job description

Company Description
*** Must be authorized to work in the United States
Sheladia Associates, Inc. (Sheladia), a minority-owned business established in 1974, is an engineering and architecture firm supporting U.S. government, state and county projects, as well as international, multi-lateral donor bank and host-country funded projects.
Job Description
We are seeking a talented The Interior Designer/ Associate (Design Associate). The Interior Designer/ Associate is an integral part of the company's architecture department and will provide hands-on production support to cross-functional teams. The Design Associate must be a self-motivated team player and eager to expand their skills and knowledge base. The position is fully on-site and reports to the company's headquarters office in Rockville, MD.
  • Perform hands-on production tasks, ensuring high-quality output, under direct supervision of the senior staff members
  • Performs Revit modeling and detailing with the team
  • Assists in feasibility studies, narratives, reports, drawings, and documents production at all stages of design and construction
  • Ability to develop FF&E sets and specifications
  • Coordinates the work with other junior professionals and consultants
  • Coordinates onsite efforts with Contractor
  • Exercises independent judgment in evaluating, selecting, and using standard techniques, solving problems as they arise, and receives guidance on projects
  • Displays competence in general conventional aspects of architecture and Interior Design.
  • Other duties as required

Qualifications
  • Bachelor's degree in Architecture, Interior Design, or a related field
  • 5+ years of relevant design experience in commercial and institutional projects
  • Working knowledge of architectural software (Revit required; AutoCAD preferred)
  • Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign)
  • Proficiency in 3D rendering software
  • Knowledge of drafting principles, techniques, and procedures
  • Ability to develop plans and drawings from concept through construction administration
  • Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint)
  • Strong interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills
  • Ability to collaborate effectively with both technical and cross-functional team members
  • Excellent problem-solving, organizational, and time management skills
  • Ability to manage work independently and deliver high-quality results within tight deadlines
  • Working toward NCIDQ licensure or currently holding an active NCIDQ license

Additional Information
Salary: $60k - $94k per year, commensurate with experience and qualifications.
Sheladia provides employees the opportunity to work in a diverse, multi-cultural environment with exposure to and collaboration with multiple disciplines on a variety of projects. You will work in a hands-on, collaborative team environment.
Sheladia Associates, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Compensation commensurate with experience.
Job Type: Contingent 1099
Sheladia Associates, Inc. does not accept unsolicited resumes from third-party recruiters/recruitment agencies or utilize any such agency or firm for our recruitment/talent acquisition needs. Please do not solicit candidates or services to any Sheladia employees.

Apply