Architectural Designer Jobs in California

Architectural designer jobs in California are among the most active in the country, concentrated in commercial development, residential design, urban infill, and tech-campus projects, with openings at every level from entry-level drafters to senior project designers. Los Angeles, San Francisco, and San Diego are the largest hiring markets, home to firms like Gensler, HOK, and Skidmore Owings and Merrill, all of which maintain substantial California studios. The most in-demand specialties right now are sustainable design, mixed-use development, and adaptive reuse, reflecting both state building code priorities and client demand. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.

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Overview

Open roles31
Top employerHarley Ellis Devereaux
Top citySan Diego, CA
Cities hiring17
Work type43% On-site
Top industryConstruction

Showing 5 of 31+ Architectural Designer jobs

Architectural Designer (Revit)
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Added 2d ago
Architectural Designer (Revit)
Slobispo Remodelers
Grover Beach, California
Creative & Design
Engineering (Non-Software)
Specialized Engineering
$35 - $45/hr
On-Site

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Architectural Project Designer
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Added 4d ago
Architectural Project Designer
Thornton Tomasetti
San Diego, California
Creative & Design
Engineering (Non-Software)
Specialized Engineering
$100k - $130k/yr
Master's degree

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Architectural Designer and Drafter
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Added 5d ago
Architectural Designer and Drafter
VK Engineers, Inc.
La Crescenta, California
Business Analysis
Consulting & Professional Services
Project Management
$35 - $50/hr
On-Site
Master's degree

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Architectural Designer
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Added 1w ago
Architectural Designer
Thornton Tomasetti
Los Angeles, California
Creative & Design
Product Management
Project & Program Management
Project Management
$78k - $92k/yr
Master's degree

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Architectural Designer
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Added 1w ago
Architectural Designer
Thornton Tomasetti
San Diego, California
Business Operations
Compliance & Risk
Project Management
$78k - $92k/yr
Master's degree

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See All 31 Architectural Designer Jobs in California

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Architectural Designer Jobs by City in California

Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.

San Diego
6 jobs
Los Angeles
5 jobs
Irvine
4 jobs
San Francisco
3 jobs
Napa
1 job
Fremont
1 job
Commerce
1 job
Monterey
1 job
Pasadena
1 job

Architectural Designer Job Market in California

A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.

Who's Hiring

Harley Ellis Devereaux4 open roles
Thornton Tomasetti3 open roles
DC BUILDERS2 open roles

Top Industries Hiring

  • Construction & Real Estate

What California Employers Look For

The qualifications that appear most often in architectural designer jobs across California.

  • Licensure as a California Architect or active progress toward California Architects Board registration preferred
  • Bachelor's or master's degree in architecture from an NAAB-accredited program required
  • Proficiency in Revit, AutoCAD, and BIM workflows required for most roles
  • Portfolio demonstrating completed commercial, residential, or mixed-use project work
  • Familiarity with California Building Code and Title 24 energy compliance standards
  • Strong verbal and written communication skills for client presentations and agency submittals

Architectural Designer Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions

How do you become a architectural designer in California?

Most architectural designer roles in California require at minimum a bachelor's degree in architecture from a program accredited by the National Architectural Accrediting Board. Candidates pursuing licensure register with the California Architects Board and complete the Architectural Experience Program before sitting for the Architect Registration Examination. Even without full licensure, designers working under a licensed architect can qualify for many positions, and a strong portfolio of California-relevant project types, especially those involving Title 24 compliance and sustainable design, meaningfully strengthens candidacy.

How much do architectural designers make in California?

Architectural designers in California earn a median of about $76,520 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $49,850 for the lowest 10% to over $114,600 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.

Which companies hire architectural designers in California?

Employers hiring architectural designers in California right now include Harley Ellis Devereaux, Thornton Tomasetti, and DC BUILDERS, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. California's concentration of large commercial developers, healthcare systems, and technology campuses means demand is spread across corporate, institutional, and private-practice settings throughout the state.

Which California cities have the most architectural designer jobs?

San Diego, Los Angeles, and Irvine have the most architectural designer openings in California. Los Angeles leads because of its scale and volume of commercial, entertainment, and mixed-use development, while San Francisco and San Diego draw openings through tech-campus projects, healthcare expansion, and urban infill work anchored by major firms and institutional clients based in each metro.

Are there remote architectural designer jobs in California?

Yes, but they are less common than in purely analytical fields, since much of the work involves site visits, consultant coordination, and hands-on model review. About 57% of architectural designer openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, and those positions tend to concentrate the remote component on schematic design, documentation, and rendering work rather than construction administration phases.

How can I get hired as a architectural designer in California with little or no experience?

The most realistic entry path is applying to large California architecture firms and design-build developers that run structured internship or new-graduate cohort programs, including firms like Gensler and AECOM, which regularly bring on designers at the junior level through campus recruiting. Adjacent roles such as architectural drafter, CAD technician, or design coordinator are common stepping stones at development companies and general contractors across Los Angeles and the Bay Area. Enrolling in the California Architects Board's Architectural Experience Program early and building a portfolio that includes Title 24 or sustainable design work gives candidates a meaningful edge.

Where can I find and apply to architectural designer jobs in California?

You can find and apply to architectural designer jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current California openings across commercial, residential, and institutional sectors. Find roles that fit your experience and specialty and apply directly through each listing.

See All 31 Architectural Designer Jobs in California

Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.

Find Architectural Designer Jobs