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UI Design Director Salary in the United States

How much does a UI Design Director make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a UI Design Director in the United States is $198,754 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $96.

However, a UI Design Director's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $236,569
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $183,528 to $218,548
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $169,666
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence UI Design Director Salaries

A UI Design Director's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects UI Design Director Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a UI Design Director's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $189,437
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $190,800
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $192,618
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $195,345
  • Expert (over 8 years): $198,754
Levels Salary
Entry Level UI Design Director$189,437
Intermediate Level UI Design Director$190,800
Senior Level UI Design Director$192,618
Specialist Level UI Design Director$195,345
Expert Level UI Design Director$198,754
View as Graph

How Do UI Design Director Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract UI Design Directors. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $220,060.
  • California: $219,226.
  • Massachusetts: $216,304.

Top Paying Cities for UI Design Directors

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $250,688
  • San Francisco: $247,944
  • Oakland: $242,718

UI Design Director Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

UI Design Director salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $222,116. While startup companies pay approximate $187,887.

UI Design Director Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $187,887
Growth Stage 51~500 $198,710
Established 501~5000 $214,481
Enterprise 5000+ $222,116

UI Design Director Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For UI Design Director roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 45% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Biotechnology and Internet sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 25% above the average. In contrast, UI Design Director positions in Transportation or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view UI Design Director as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a UI Design Director

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Biotechnology$248,442$119.025%
Internet$238,505$115.020%
Aerospace & Defense$228,567$110.015%
Financial Services$228,567$110.015%
Energy & Utilities$218,629$105.010%

UI Design Director Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a UI Design Director's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on September 01, 2026
$183,528
Average $198,754/year
$218,548
$15,294
Average $16,563/month
$18,212
$3,529
Average $3,822/week
$4,203
$88
Average $96/hour
$105
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $218,548 $18,212 $4,203 $105
Average $198,754 $16,563 $3,822 $96
25th Percentile $183,528 $15,294 $3,529 $88

Most common benefits for UI Design Director

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for UI Design Director

Here are companies hiring for UI Design Director and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about UI Design Director

1. Where can a UI Design Director earn the most?

A UI Design Director's earning potential can vary widely depending on several factors, including location, industry, experience, education, and the specific employer. According to the latest salary data by Salary.com, a UI Design Director earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a UI Design Director is $250,688.

2. What is the highest pay for UI Design Director?

The highest pay for UI Design Director is $236,569.

3. What is the lowest pay for UI Design Director?

The lowest pay for UI Design Director is $169,666.

4. What are the responsibilities of UI Design Director?

Establishes design policies and directs user interface design lifecycle to deliver visually compelling, user-centered digital experiences across web and mobile platforms. Defines and enforces intuitive interface standards and enterprise design systems that reinforce brand identity and ensure consistent usability at scale. Oversees and optimizes the full design operating model from strategic concept development through prototyping and final UI delivery across teams. Drives continuous improvement by translating user insights, business priorities, and emerging design trends into functional goals and long-term design strategy. Requires a bachelor's degree. Typically reports to senior management. Manages a departmental sub-function within a broader departmental function. Creates functional strategies and specific objectives for the sub-function and develops budgets/policies/procedures to support the functional infrastructure. Typically requires 5+ years of managerial experience. Deep knowledge of the managed sub-function and solid knowledge of the overall departmental function.

5. What industry pays the highest salary for UI Design Director?

The Biotechnology industry offers the highest average compensation for UI Design Director roles, with salaries approximately 25% above the market median.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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