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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Design Lead in California is $100,568 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $48.
However, a Design Lead's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Design Lead Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $109,248 | $9,104 | $2,101 | $53 |
| Average | $100,568 | $8,381 | $1,934 | $48 |
| 25th Percentile | $89,442 | $7,453 | $1,720 | $43 |
ISAT Total Support - Fremont, CA
PGH Wong Engineering, Inc. - San Jose, CA
IDEO - San Francisco, CA
AngelList - San Francisco, CA
A Design Lead'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.
Experience is a primary driver of a Design Lead'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:
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Product D... Level Design Lead | $88,096 |
| Design Le... Level Design Lead | $99,930 |
| Product D... Level Design Lead | $124,918 |
| Product D... Level Design Lead | $152,527 |
| Product D... Level Design Lead | $178,684 |
What Am I Worth?
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 Design Leads. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
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:
For Design Lead roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 80% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Hospitality & Leisure and Construction sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 40% above the average. In contrast, Design Lead positions in Insurance or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Design Lead as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hospitality & Leisure | $140,795 | $68.0 | 40% |
| Construction | $130,738 | $63.0 | 30% |
| Internet | $125,710 | $60.0 | 25% |
| Aerospace & Defense | $120,681 | $58.0 | 20% |
| MFG Durable | $115,653 | $56.0 | 15% |
Understanding how a Design Lead'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.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $109,248 | $9,104 | $2,101 | $53 |
| Average | $100,568 | $8,381 | $1,934 | $48 |
| 25th Percentile | $89,442 | $7,453 | $1,720 | $43 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Design Lead job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
Ardurra Group, Inc.
Irvine, CA
Ardurra Group, Inc. | Irvine, CA
Job Description. Job Description. Ardurra is seeking a. Water Treatment Lead. to join our team ideally in. Irvine, CA. but could be based out of any of our... more
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Ventura, CA
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Job Description. Job Description. Ardurra is seeking a. Water Treatment Lead. to join our team ideally in. Irvine, CA. but could be based out of any of our... more
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AdAstra
San Francisco, CA
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Job Description. Job Description. About the Company. This aerospace startup is revolutionizing the skies by developing high-altitude, solar-powered UAVs de... more
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Ardurra Group, Inc.
Irvine, CA
Ardurra Group, Inc. | Irvine, CA
Job Description. Job Description. Ardurra is seeking a. Wastewater Treatment Design Lead. to join our team ideally in. Irvine, CA. but could be based out o... more
4 Days Ago
Ardurra Group, Inc.
San Luis Obispo, CA
Ardurra Group, Inc. | San Luis Obispo, CA
Job Description. Job Description. Ardurra is seeking a. Wastewater Treatment Design Lead. to join our team ideally in. Irvine, CA. but could be based out o... more
4 Days Ago
Ardurra Group, Inc.
Ventura, CA
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