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Design Associate Jobs (NOW HIRING)

The Design Associate will successfully provide support services pertaining to the planning, design, and construction of educational facilities on behalf of a large public school district, the Los ...

The Design Associate supports the Planning and Development staff by assisting with planning, design, and construction of educational facility projects. Responsibilities include interpreting ...

Design Associate

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$110K - $120K/yr

The Design Associate supports the Planning and Development staff by assisting with planning, design, and construction of educational facility projects. Responsibilities include interpreting ...

InfraHire is looking for a Design Associate in New Orleans, LA. We're expanding our team and seeking motivated, client-focused professionals who enjoy solving design challenges and thrive in a ...

Design Associate

Fort Collins, CO · On-site

$24 - $28/hr

Position Summary The Landscape Design Associate provides technical, drafting, and administrative support to multiple landscape designers and architects in a collaborative, time-shared model. The ...

Design Associate

Hutto, TX · On-site

$36K/yr

Design Associate Job Details & Perks: * No experience required * Paid training provided * Full-time * Company car for work appointments (insurance and gas covered by company) Design Associate Key ...

The Design Associate will successfully provide support services pertaining to the planning, design, and construction of educational facilities on behalf of a large public school district, the Los ...

Design Associate

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$90K - $105K/yr

Struction Solutions is seeking an experienced Design Associate to support the planning, design, and construction of educational facility projects for the Los Angeles Unified School District. This ...

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 ...

Design Associate

Fort Collins, CO · On-site

$24 - $28/hr

Position Summary The Landscape Design Associate provides technical, drafting, and administrative support to multiple landscape designers and architects in a collaborative, time-shared model. The ...

Design Associate

San Antonio, TX · On-site

$80 - $120/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: $80-$120 ...

As a Design Associate, you support the Planning and Development staff: you read and interpret architectural, engineering, and planning documents, review plans against LAUSD standards and federal ...

Architectural Design Associate I---Houston TX (70k-85k) A Houston architecture studio focused on commercial, retail, multifamily, and related project types is seeking a Design Associate I to join its ...

Showing results 21-40

Design Associate information

See salary details

$19.5K

$58.6K

$87.5K

How much do design associate jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 27, 2026, the average yearly pay for design associate in the United States is $58,560.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $48,500.00 and $68,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Design Associate vs Design Coordinator?

AspectDesign AssociateDesign Coordinator
Required CredentialsAssociate's degree or relevant certification, some experienceSimilar credentials, often with additional project management skills
Work EnvironmentDesign firms, retail, or corporate settingsDesign teams, client-facing roles, project management settings
Employer & Industry UsageCommon in interior, graphic, and product designOften used interchangeably or in larger firms for project oversight

The main difference between a Design Associate and a Design Coordinator lies in their focus. Design Associates typically assist with design tasks and client support, while Design Coordinators often handle project coordination, timelines, and communication. Both roles require similar credentials, but Design Coordinators usually have additional organizational responsibilities.

What does a design associate do?

A design associate supports the design team by creating visual concepts, drafting layouts, and preparing presentations using tools like Adobe Creative Suite or CAD software. They collaborate with clients and team members to develop design solutions and ensure projects meet specifications and deadlines.

What is a design assistant's salary?

A design assistant's salary typically ranges from $40,000 to $60,000 annually, depending on experience, location, and industry. Entry-level positions may start lower, while experienced assistants or those with specialized skills can earn more. Salaries often include benefits such as health insurance and paid time off.

What is the highest paid design job?

The highest paid design jobs are often senior roles such as Creative Director or Design Director, which can earn six-figure salaries. These positions typically require extensive experience, leadership skills, and proficiency with design tools like Adobe Creative Suite or CAD software. Specialized fields like UX/UI design or industrial design can also offer high salaries at senior levels.

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

To thrive as a Design Associate, you need a solid understanding of design principles, proficiency in graphic design, and a relevant degree or equivalent experience. Familiarity with industry-standard design software such as Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign) is typically required. Strong communication, attention to detail, and the ability to collaborate creatively are essential soft skills. These skills and qualities enable effective project execution, ensure design consistency, and foster successful teamwork in a fast-paced creative environment.

What are some common challenges Design Associates face when working on multiple projects simultaneously?

Design Associates often juggle several projects at once, which can make managing deadlines and shifting priorities a challenge. Effective communication with team members and clear organization of tasks are essential to ensure all projects move forward smoothly. Additionally, adapting quickly to feedback from clients or senior designers is key, as project requirements can change rapidly. Building strong time management skills and staying flexible will help you thrive in this fast-paced environment.

What are Design Associates?

Design Associates are entry- to mid-level professionals who support design teams in creating visual concepts, layouts, and presentations for projects across industries such as graphic design, interior design, fashion, and architecture. They assist senior designers by conducting research, preparing materials, and using design software to bring creative ideas to life. Design Associates often collaborate with clients and other team members to ensure that the final product aligns with project goals and brand standards.

Is AI replacing designers?

AI tools are increasingly used by design associates to automate repetitive tasks and generate ideas, but they do not replace the need for human creativity, critical thinking, and aesthetic judgment. Designers and design associates still play a vital role in interpreting client needs, making strategic decisions, and ensuring quality. AI serves as a complement to design skills rather than a complete replacement in the design process.
More about Design Associate jobs
What cities are hiring for Design Associate jobs? Cities with the most Design Associate job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Design jobs? The most popular types of Design jobs are:
Who are the top companies hiring for Design Associate jobs? The top employers for Design Associate jobs are:
What states have the most Design Associate jobs? States with the most job openings for Design Associate jobs include:
Infographic showing various Design Associate job openings in the United States 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 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $58,560 per year, or $28.2 per hour.
Design Associate

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted 16 days ago


Job description

At Cumming Group, you will work on some of the world's most exciting projects in a dynamic environment where your success is measured by the impact you make. We are one of the fastest-growing project and cost management consultancies in the United States, as reflected in our top 10 rankings in ENR. With over 60 offices globally, an extremely diverse project portfolio, and double-digit year-over-year revenue growth, the opportunities to make your mark are limitless!

Our firm is currently looking for a Design Associate to work on-site with our client in downtown Los Angeles, CA. The Design Associate will successfully provide support services pertaining to the planning, design, and construction of educational facilities on behalf of a large public school district, the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD). This is an outstanding opportunity to bring your specialized architectural and design expertise to an industry leading team.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

  • Assists Planning and Development staff by providing support services pertaining to the planning, design, and construction of educational facility projects
  • Assists in performing routine procedural work related to management of Architectural- Engineering contracts and services, and preparing studies and presentations
  • Reads and interprets architectural, engineering and planning documents
  • Collects and organizes data for reports and presentations
  • Assists in the preparation of reports and minor project research
  • Updates and maintains project files with technical information
  • Reviews plans and design/construction documentation for compliance with applicable LAUSD standard requirements and federal, state and local codes.
  • Reviews and prepares internal documentation for completeness and approval by other District branches (i.e.: AE Contracts, AE invoices, etc.)
  • Assists in coordinating project activities with other District organizational branches and departments (i.e.: Office of the Environmental Health and Safety, A/E Design Services,
  • Maintenance and Operations, Furniture + Interiors Group, Project Execution, Local Districts, etc.) in support of design and construction administration functions.
  • Participates in community relations and outreach programs to create understanding and acceptance of District building projects within the community

Knowledge & Skills Required:

  • A minimum of five (5) years full-time paid professional experience working in an architecture and design setting.
  • Experience performing architectural, engineering, or planning design and coordination of design disciplines, conducting surveys and field investigations, and reviewing architectural, engineering, or planning drawings and documentation.
  • Three (3) years of this experience must be with the design, planning and construction of educational facilities or similar public agency

Education and Experience:

  • Graduation from a recognized college or university with a bachelor's degree in architecture, engineering, or planning

Knowledge/Skills:

  • Architectural, Engineering, or Planning terms, concepts, and symbols
  • Architectural characteristics of building materials and technical detailing
  • Research methods and techniques, including planning studies and surveys, determining variables, and developing sources of data
  • Basic record keeping methods
  • Software: Microsoft Office, Bluebeam, Autocad, Revit
  • Effective verbal and written communication skills.
  • Proficient in the use of computer database and related equipment
  • Analyze architectural/engineering/planning problems related to assigned educational facilities projects and recommend appropriate and feasible solutions.
  • Interpret federal, state, and local codes related to educational facilities
  • Possess knowledge of California Department of Education, Division of the State Architect, applicable building and engineering codes, fire codes and energy codes. (i.e.: ADA, CA Title 24, CalGreen, etc.)
  • Make detailed and accurate calculations and surveys
  • Compile, interpret/analyze, and summarize data, and recognize the implications of complex documents
  • Has the ability to collaborate with other team members
  • Ability to multi-task

#LI-RM1

Cumming Group is committed to providing Equal Employment Opportunity in its personnel policies and practices. It is Cumming Group's policy to recruit, hire, train and promote Team Members and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, age, sex, marital status, registered domestic partner status, genetic information, sexual preference, sexual orientation, gender (including gender expression and gender identity), pregnancy (including childbirth or related medical conditions, including breastfeeding), military service, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, physical disability, mental disability, veteran status or any other protected classification under federal, state, or local law. All such decisions are based on (1) individual merit, qualifications, and competence as they relate to the particular position, and (2) promotion of the principle of equal employment opportunity.

All other terms and conditions of employment, such as compensation, benefits, transfers, layoff, return from layoff, training, education, and social and recreational programs, are administered without regard to the characteristics described above. To this end, Cumming Group complies with all provisions of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 as amended, all of the rules, regulations and relevant orders of the Secretary of Labor, and all similar state and local laws.

The salary range for this full-time role is $106,800.00-$142,400.02 per year. Ranges are determined based on the position, geography, client and industry experience and level, and represent a good faith effort to provide a fair and equitable salary. This range reflects base salary only, and not the total compensation package. Cumming Group reserves the right to pay more or less than the posted range, depending on a candidate's experience, skills, and qualifications, including client requirements.

In addition to base salary, Cumming Group offers a comprehensive benefits package including:

  • Medical
  • Dental Insurance
  • Vision Insurance
  • 401(k)
  • 401(k) Matching
  • Paid Time Off
  • Paid Holidays
  • Short and long-term disability
  • Employee Assistance Program