ZipRecruiter

Log In

2

Entry Level Designer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Harley Ellis Devereaux

Electrical Designer

Orange, CA · On-site

$28 - $36/hr

The Electrical Designer is an entry-level role focused on developing electrical design expertise in a supportive and collaborative environment. About HED We are a team that is full of ideas ...

Harley Ellis Devereaux

Electrical Designer

San Diego, CA · On-site

$28 - $36/hr

The Electrical Designer is an entry-level role focused on developing electrical design expertise in a supportive and collaborative environment. About HED We are a team that is full of ideas ...

NV5

Gas Designer l

San Diego, CA

$27 - $30/hr

The Gas Designer I is responsible for supporting the development of constructionready and asbuilt ... Internship or entrylevel experience supporting gas transmission or distribution projects.

CFS

Financial Analyst (Entry Level)

Fresno, CA · On-site

$45K - $53K/yr

... designed to stay affordable early in your career • 3 weeks of paid time off plus holidays • ... (Entry Level): • Support budgeting, forecasting, and variance analysis • Prepare and maintain ...

RICK

Be Seen First

Assistant Engineering Designer

Riverside, CA · On-site

$36.50 - $41/hr

Rick Engineering Company (RICK) is seeking a confident, entry-level design engineer to join our ... As an Assistant Civil Engineering Designer in Riverside, CA, you will have an opportunity to work ...

Hayward Lumber

Associate Truss Designer

Santa Maria, CA · On-site

$23 - $25/hr

This entry-level position is ideal for a detail-oriented individual with strong technical skills, an interest in structural design, and a collaborative mindset. Working closely with Lead Designers ...

Hayward Lumber

Associate Truss Designer

Santa Maria, CA · On-site

$23 - $25/hr

This entry-level position is ideal for a detail-oriented individual with strong technical skills, an interest in structural design, and a collaborative mindset. Working closely with Lead Designers ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

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.
Entry-Level Structural Engineer | Designer

Entry-Level Structural Engineer | Designer

Degenkolb Engineers

Sacramento, CA • Hybrid

$84K - $112K/yr

Other

Medical, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 7 days ago

Job description

Company Background: Founded in 1940 and headquartered in San Francisco, Degenkolb Engineers has more than eight decades of commitment to innovation, client service, and life-long learning. We deliver customized structural solutions in a variety of practice areas such as healthcare, education, science and technology, forensics, construction engineering, and federal buildings. We address every project need—whether meeting stringent codes, staying on budget, adhering to tight schedules, or creating landmark structural systems.

Position Description: We review candidates for this Entry-Level Structural Engineer | Designer position throughout the year in all of our California offices (Los Angeles, Sacramento, San Diego, and Oakland), as well as our Midwest offices in Detroit and Grand Rapids, MI. Applicants may indicate interest in multiple locations on a single application.

Ideal Candidate: A high-achieving master’s student (undergraduate GPA 3.40 or above) with a passion for structural engineering, seismic analysis (non-Michigan offices) and/or steel (Michigan). You want to be part of a high-performing team that supports your professional development with a challenging mix of projects, mentorship, and lifelong learning opportunities.

Compensation and Benefits: The pay rate for this position, across the various offices, generally ranges between $84,000 and $112,000 annually. This range is a good faith estimate provided pursuant to pay transparency laws. Actual pay rates will be based on various factors, including location, company geographic differentials, education level, and candidate qualifications. 

Benefits include health and life insurance, commuter benefits, paid parental leave, 401(k) with company Profit Sharing contribution, employee ownership in a privately held stock plan, financial support for professional activities, company holidays, and a generous paid time off program.

Culture: We offer a flexible hybrid work schedule and a fun office environment! Our firm is highly collaborative and filled with experts united by a passion for industry involvement, pride in company ownership, and respect for personal lives. You will benefit from focused professional development within a supportive and transparent team environment, as well as opportunities for committee participation and leadership, variety in work assignments, and a pay scale set at the 75th market percentile. To learn more about the company, please visit: https://degenkolb.com/culture/

Apply