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Entry Level Design Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Clayton Homes

CAD Technician

Perris, CA

$26/hr

From entry-level to more experienced positions, we're actively recruiting individuals who are ... The CAD Technician is responsible for producing drawing files for production and submitting plans ...

Sunbelt Controls

Controls Design Engineer I

Azusa, CA · On-site

Production of controls systems design drawings, sequence of operations and submittals for lower ... Participates in the ongoing development program with other entry level engineers. EDUCATION AND ...

Clayton Homes

CAD Technician

Perris, CA · On-site

$26/hr

From entry-level to more experienced positions, we're actively recruiting individuals who are ... The CAD Technician is responsible for producing drawing files for production and submitting plans ...

Dynalectric Company

CAD Drafter

El Cajon, CA · On-site

$23.50 - $31.50/hr

Job Summary Dynalectric Company San Diego is hiring an entry level technically savvy CAD Drafter to be part of our team. Dynalectric uses the latest CAD technologies such as AutoCAD MEP, Revit ...

Dynalectric Company

CAD Drafter

El Cajon, CA · On-site

$23.50 - $31.50/hr

Job Summary Dynalectric Company San Diego is hiring an entry level technically savvy CAD Drafter to be part of our team. Dynalectric uses the latest CAD technologies such as AutoCAD MEP, Revit ...

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All JobsEntry Level Design JobsEntry Level Design Jobs in California

Entry Level Design information

See California salary details

$15

$22

$28

How much do entry level design jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 12, 2026, the average hourly pay for entry level design in California is $22.18, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $19.23 and $24.42 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Entry Level Design vs Graphic Designer?

AspectEntry Level DesignGraphic Designer
Required CredentialsAssociate degree or relevant courseworkBachelor’s degree in Graphic Design or related field
Work EnvironmentInternships, junior roles, freelance projectsDesign agencies, corporate marketing teams, freelance
Industry UsageEntry positions in various industriesCreative and marketing industries
Search & Comparison IntentUnderstanding entry-level roles in designEntry-level design roles and career path

Entry Level Design typically refers to initial roles requiring basic skills and minimal experience, often involving internships or freelance work. Graphic Designer is a more specific job title that usually requires a formal degree and involves creating visual content for clients or companies. While both roles serve as starting points in the design industry, Entry Level Design is broader, encompassing various entry positions, whereas Graphic Designer is a specialized role within the field.

What is an entry level design job?

An entry level design job is a starting position in the design industry, typically suited for recent graduates or those with limited professional experience. These roles often involve assisting senior designers, creating basic design assets, and learning industry tools and workflows. Entry level designers may work in fields such as graphic design, web design, or industrial design, and are expected to have a foundational understanding of design principles and software like Adobe Creative Suite. The goal is to build practical skills, gain experience, and develop a professional portfolio to advance in the field.

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

To thrive as an Entry Level Designer, you need a solid understanding of design principles, proficiency in visual communication, and a relevant degree or coursework in graphic, web, or industrial design. Familiarity with industry-standard tools such as Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign) and basic knowledge of design systems or prototyping platforms is important. Strong attention to detail, creativity, collaboration, and openness to feedback set standout candidates apart. These skills and qualities enable designers to produce high-quality work, adapt to team needs, and grow in a fast-evolving creative field.

What types of projects and responsibilities can an entry-level design professional expect in their first year?

Entry-level design professionals typically work on a variety of supporting tasks, such as preparing drafts, creating visual assets, and assisting with layout or branding projects. They often collaborate closely with senior designers and art directors, gaining exposure to client feedback and the revision process. While responsibilities may start with smaller assignments, there are frequent opportunities to contribute ideas during team brainstorming sessions and to gradually take on more complex projects as skills develop. This hands-on experience is crucial for building a strong portfolio and understanding real-world design workflows.
What are the most commonly searched types of Design jobs in California? The most popular types of Design jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Entry Level Design jobs? Cities in California with the most Entry Level Design job openings:
Entry Level Design jobs near you
Infographic showing various Entry Level Design job openings in California as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 4% As Needed, 89% Full Time, and 7% Part Time. Highlights an 86% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 10% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $46,140 per year, or $22.2 per hour.
Marketing Assistant (Entry Level) - Proposals

Marketing Assistant (Entry Level) - Proposals

EXP

San Diego, CA • On-site

$55K - $65K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Retirement, PTO

Posted yesterday

Job description

Job Description
Marketing Assistant (Entry Level) - Proposals
San Diego, CA (hybrid opportunity)
At EXP, we're driven to provide innovative solutions for the world's built and natural environments. As a team of engineers, architects, designers, scientists, creators and a community of professionals, we bring diverse and talented people together to solve the world's most complex challenges. Here, you join a team that leverages differences, harnesses their entrepreneurial spirit in an employee-owned company, that believes diversity is what gives us strength, seeks sustainable results and shares ambitions for each other, our clients and the communities we are part of and serve. To be a part of EXP means to have your own experience, while staying connected to a global network of professionals, who believe we are a part of something bigger. Together, we are EXP.
Are you ready to design your future?
Be our next Marketing Assistant Entry Level (Proposals)!
Your work environment at EXP
In this role, you will be a part of the Marketing Assistant Entry Level (Proposals), based in our San Diego, CA Office (hybrid opportunity).
What a day at EXP has in store for you
The Marketing Assistant will be resourceful, detail-oriented, and tech-savvy. This role is critical in supporting the regional marketing team by developing and maintaining high-quality resumes and project sheets for proposals.
You'll collaborate with subject matter experts and project managers to gather accurate information, ensuring all materials align with company standards and templates. In addition, this role will assist marketing coordinators by providing timely access to updated documents.
If you're organized, proactive, and passionate about delivering results in a collaborative environment-read on!
Content Development
  • Interview subject matter experts to create comprehensive resumes.
  • Partner with project managers to develop detailed project sheets.

Document Management
  • Organize, track, and maintain resumes and project sheets.
  • Format documents using Word and InDesign templates.

Marketing Support
  • Provide updated resumes and project sheets for proposals.
  • Review documents for accuracy, consistency, and branding compliance.
  • Maintain a centralized database for easy retrieval.

Technical Skills
  • Perform day-to-day tasks in Microsoft Word and Adobe InDesign
  • Utilize Photoshop, Illustrator, and AI tools (Copilot)
  • Responsible for file management
  • Managing revisions through version control and maintaining consistency with template-based workflows

What Your Experience Looks Like
  • Bachelor's degree in journalism, marketing, communications, business, or related field (preferred)
  • Previous internships in supporting marketing, business development departments, or administrative roles (is a plus).
  • Proficient with the Microsoft Office Suite and knowledge of Adobe Creative Cloud.
  • AI certifications and/or experience with Microsoft Copilot desired
  • Strong interest in the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) industry.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication
  • Excellent attention to detail and organizational skills.
  • Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines
  • Effective time management
  • Collaborative mindset with strong interpersonal skills
  • Problem-solving and adaptability in a fast-paced environment
  • Resourceful, persistent, and eager to learn

Power Skills
The salary range for this role is $55,000 to $65,000. Actual compensation will be determined based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to the candidate's skill set, experience, certifications, and geographic location. Compensation may vary by location due to differences in the cost of labor.
In addition to competitive pay, we offer a comprehensive benefits package for all full-time employees, including health insurance, vacation time, and 401(k) retirement benefits.
About Us
Our story
With a mission to understand, innovate, partner and deliver, EXP provides engineering, architecture, design and consulting services to the world's built and natural environments.
Our heritage dates back to 1906, when the earliest of EXP's predecessor companies started its engineering infrastructure practice. Today, thousands of creative professionals across EXP work together to deliver extraordinary experiences year after year.
What makes us different
The passion, enthusiasm, diversity and industry-leading capabilities of our employees make us who we are. We're committed to providing a challenging work environment that cultivates career growth, encourages creativity and rewards excellence.
Find out more about life at EXP by visiting www.exp.com.
About the Team
EXP is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer who fully and actively supports equal access for all people regardless of Race, Color, Sex, Religion, Gender, Age, National Origin, Veteran Status, Disability, Genetic Information or Testing, Family and Medical Leave, Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity or Expression.
Should you need any special accommodations, please feel free to contact us at hrsupport@exp.com and we will arrange for the most suitable accommodations based on your needs.

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