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Entry Level Designer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Enhaus Design Build

Junior Designer

Pasadena, CA

About Enhaus Most firms treat an entry-level designer as a pair of drafting hands. We're hiring ours as the next generation of our design team. Enhaus is a residential design-build studio in Altadena ...

CannonDesign

Designer - Entry Level

Los Angeles, CA · On-site +1

$27.98 - $31.39/hr

... designer Mehrdad Yazdani, the studio leverages the best attributes of a small design studio with the resources and reach of our global practice. ABOUT THE ROLE This entry-level position will have a ...

CannonDesign

Designer - Entry Level

Los Angeles, CA · On-site +1

ABOUT THE ROLE This entry-level position will have a design/technical focus and be a member of our ... Under direct supervision of the Project Architect or Project Designer, contribute to the design ...

Accurate Staging

Autocad Designer

Los Angeles, CA

We are currently offering entry level positions (based on skill level) as well as a pay to learn ... This is an entry level position for CAD Designer who will read and interpret conceptual designs ...

Lionakis

Interior Designer I (Entry level)

Sacramento, CA · On-site

$53K - $66K/yr

Are you an Interior Designer who thrives in an imaginative and inventive environment? Do you flourish when part of a cohesive team where collaboration and ideas flow freely? Want to work for a firm ...

Lionakis

Interior Designer I (Entry level)

Sacramento, CA · On-site

$53K - $66K/yr

Are you an Interior Designer who thrives in an imaginative and inventive environment? Do you flourish when part of a cohesive team where collaboration and ideas flow freely? Want to work for a firm ...

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All JobsEntry Level Designer JobsEntry Level Designer Jobs in California

Entry Level Designer information

See California salary details

$30.6K

$56K

$84.9K

How much do entry level designer jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 16, 2026, the average yearly pay for entry level designer in California is $55,955.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $44,900.00 and $64,600.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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

AspectEntry Level DesignerGraphic Designer
Required CredentialsAssociate degree or relevant coursework, portfolioBachelor’s degree in graphic design or related field, portfolio
Work EnvironmentDesign agencies, corporate marketing teams, freelanceAdvertising agencies, publishing, corporate branding
Employer & Industry UsageCommonly used in creative and marketing industriesWidely used across various industries including advertising, media, and corporate sectors

Entry Level Designers and Graphic Designers often share similar educational backgrounds and work environments. The main difference is that 'Entry Level Designer' typically refers to those just starting their careers with limited experience, focusing on learning and supporting projects. 'Graphic Designer' is a broader term that can include more experienced professionals, but at the entry level, both roles involve creating visual content for various media.

What types of projects can an Entry Level Designer expect to work on, and how much creative input will they typically have?

As an Entry Level Designer, you'll often assist with a variety of projects such as creating layouts, developing visual assets, and supporting branding or marketing campaigns. While you may start by following established guidelines and executing tasks set by senior designers, there are usually opportunities to contribute ideas during brainstorming sessions and design reviews. Over time, as you demonstrate your skills and initiative, you may be entrusted with greater creative responsibility and more independent projects. Collaboration with other team members, including writers, marketers, and developers, is common and provides valuable learning experiences.

Is AI replacing designers?

AI is transforming the role of entry level designers by automating repetitive tasks and assisting in generating ideas, but it does not replace the need for human creativity, critical thinking, and design skills. Designers who adapt by learning to work with AI tools and develop their unique creative abilities remain valuable in the industry.

What are entry level designers?

Entry level designers are professionals who are just beginning their careers in design, typically after completing relevant education or training. They assist senior designers with tasks such as creating layouts, selecting colors, and preparing design drafts. Entry level designers often work in fields like graphic design, interior design, web design, or industrial design. They use design software, follow project guidelines, and collaborate with other team members to bring creative ideas to life. This role allows them to build experience, develop their portfolios, and learn industry best practices.

What does an entry level designer do?

An entry level designer assists in creating visual concepts for projects such as websites, branding, or marketing materials. They typically use design tools like Adobe Photoshop or Illustrator and work under supervision to develop layouts, graphics, and prototypes while gaining practical experience in the field.

What Does an Entry-Level Designer Do?

An entry-level designer helps more experienced designers with concept design, product development, and other essential duties within their industry. Designers work in a multitude of industries, including manufacturing, technology, fashion, engineering, decorating, marketing and advertising, software, and web design. As a junior designer, your specific responsibilities differ depending on your industry. For example, you may help design specific pieces of apparel or focus on men’s or women’s fashion. As an entry-level web designer, you may help improve the visual design and user experience features for a client site.

How to be a designer with no experience?

Entry-level designers can start by building a portfolio with personal projects or freelance work to showcase their skills. Learning industry-standard tools like Adobe Creative Suite or Figma and gaining basic knowledge of design principles can improve employability; internships or online courses can also provide practical experience.

What job makes $10,000 a month without a degree?

An entry-level designer typically does not earn $10,000 a month without experience or specialized skills. High-paying freelance or remote design roles may reach that level with a strong portfolio, proficiency in tools like Adobe Creative Suite, and a solid client base, but such earnings are uncommon for beginners. Most high-earning design positions require experience, a strong reputation, or niche expertise.

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, a portfolio showcasing creative work, and a relevant degree or coursework in graphic or visual design. Familiarity with industry-standard software such as Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign) is typically required. Strong communication, attention to detail, and the ability to accept and implement feedback are crucial soft skills for this role. These skills ensure you can translate ideas into effective visual solutions and collaborate successfully with clients and team members.
More about Entry Level Designer jobs
What are the most commonly searched types of Designer jobs in California? The most popular types of Designer jobs in California are:
What are popular job titles related to Entry Level Designer jobs in California? For Entry Level Designer jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Entry Level Designer jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Entry Level Designer jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Entry Level Designer jobs? Cities in California with the most Entry Level Designer job openings:
What are popular job titles related to Entry Level Designer jobs in CA? For Entry Level Designer jobs in CA, the most frequently searched job titles are:
Entry Level Designer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Entry Level Designer job openings in California as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 46% Full Time, 36% Part Time, and 18% Contract. Highlights an 91% In-person, and 9% Hybrid job distribution, with an average salary of $55,955 per year, or $26.9 per hour.

Junior Designer

Enhaus Design Build

Pasadena, CA

Other

Medical, Retirement, PTO

Posted 3 days ago

Job description

About Enhaus

Most firms treat an entry-level designer as a pair of drafting hands. We’re hiring ours as the next generation of our design team.

Enhaus is a residential design-build studio in Altadena, working at the intersection of high design and high-performance construction. We’re on a mission to become the $100M premier design-build firm in Los Angeles by 2033, built around operational excellence, an exceptional client experience, and top talent. We work as a single integrated team: design, engineering, and construction under one roof, with design decisions made with how the home actually gets built in mind from day one. Right now that mission also means showing up for LA in a meaningful way — we’re actively rebuilding in communities hit by the recent wildfires, building homes for real families that are thoughtful, personal, and built to last. The work matters here.

The role

This is an entry-level seat on our design team for someone early in their career who wants to learn the craft inside a real design-build studio. You’ll plug into projects from schematic design through construction, supporting our design team in both creative and technical work. Since design and construction sit together here, you’ll learn how a home truly comes together and see your work go from the page to the street. You’ll work day to day in Revit, CAD, Bluebeam, and SketchUp, and collaborate with the team through Slack, Buildertrend, and Dropbox. This isn’t a passive role: we’re looking for someone proactive, highly organized, and excited to grow.

What you’ll do

Design development

  • Translate design concepts into precise models and drawing sets under the direction of senior designers
  • Incorporate markups and revisions in real time across active projects
  • Help develop floor plans, elevations, and 3D models

Material & fixture selections

  • Prepare selection boards and help source finishes, plumbing, and lighting packages
  • Support client presentations and help implement feedback

FF&E documentation & ordering

  • Assist with FF&E specification, pricing, and order tracking
  • Help maintain order logs and coordinate deliveries against job-site schedules

Client & project-team coordination

  • Support senior designers in presenting deliverables and interfacing with clients
  • Liaise with project managers, vendors, and site teams so execution matches design intent

What we’re looking for

  • A degree or certificate in interior design, architecture, drafting, or a related field
  • Proficiency in Revit and/or CAD is essential
  • Proficiency with SketchUp
  • Working knowledge of Bluebeam
  • Comfort picking up collaboration tools like Slack, Buildertrend, and Dropbox
  • Detail-oriented, highly organized, and a strong communicator
  • Eagerness to learn, take direction, and grow into greater responsibility

Nice to have

  • Internship or coursework involving residential projects
  • Experience with FF&E procurement and vendor coordination
  • Familiarity with LA permitting, building practices, or construction administration

Growth path

We’re committed to growing our design leadership from within. As Enhaus scales, the right person will have a clear path to take on increasing project ownership, more client interaction, and a growing influence on our company-wide design standards.

Benefits

  • Health insurance coverage
  • 401(k) matching
  • Unlimited PTO
  • Performance bonus
  • Frequent team lunches

Why Enhaus

Learn from experienced designers and builders on a single accountable team, work on homes that genuinely matter to the families who’ll live in them, and grow with a company that’s scaling.

How to apply

Send us:

  • A portfolio (PDF or link) showing Revit- or CAD-heavy project examples
  • A brief intro note on what excites you about working at a design-build firm
  • Your resume

Apply