As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Design Lead in Manchester, MA is $97,958 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $47.
However, a Design Lead's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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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, skills 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 | $85,810 |
| Design Le... Level Design Lead | $97,337 |
| Product D... Level Design Lead | $121,676 |
| Product D... Level Design Lead | $148,570 |
| Product D... Level Design Lead | $174,047 |
What Am I Worth?
Demanded Skills for the Role:
| Skills | Demand Percentage |
|---|---|
| Collaboration | 4.33% |
| Agile | 2.55% |
| Design Thinking | 1.75% |
| Skill | Salary | Salary % Increase |
|---|---|---|
|
Storytelling
|
$106,775 |
9%
|
|
Product Strategy
|
$106,775 |
9%
|
|
Information Architecture
|
$106,775 |
9%
|
|
Product Management
|
$105,795 |
8%
|
|
Collaborating
|
$105,795 |
8%
|
|
Product Engineering
|
$104,816 |
7%
|
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 | $137,142 | $66.0 | 40% |
| Construction | $127,346 | $61.0 | 30% |
| Internet | $122,448 | $59.0 | 25% |
| Aerospace & Defense | $117,550 | $57.0 | 20% |
| MFG Durable | $112,652 | $54.0 | 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.
Last Updated on August 01, 2026Ready 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.
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