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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Lead Designer in California is $120,717 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $58.
However, a Lead Designer's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Lead Designer Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $128,676 | $10,723 | $2,475 | $62 |
| Average | $120,717 | $10,060 | $2,321 | $58 |
| 25th Percentile | $110,157 | $9,180 | $2,118 | $53 |
KAMINSKIY DESIGN & REMODELING - San Diego, CA
Circle - San Francisco, CA
Experian Group - Costa Mesa, CA
Silicon Valley Bank - San Francisco, CA
A Lead Designer'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 Lead Designer'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 |
|---|---|
| CAD Draft... Level Lead Designer | $148,139 |
| CAD Super... Level Lead Designer | $100,664 |
| Lead Desi... Level Lead Designer | $120,132 |
| CAD Manag... Level Lead Designer | $136,557 |
| CAD Senio... Level Lead Designer | $166,821 |
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 Lead Designers. 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 Lead Designer roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 50% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Biotechnology and Software & Networking sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 25% above the average. In contrast, Lead Designer positions in Telecom or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Lead Designer as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biotechnology | $150,896 | $73.0 | 25% |
| Software & Networking | $147,274 | $71.0 | 22% |
| Insurance | $138,824 | $67.0 | 15% |
| Aerospace & Defense | $135,203 | $65.0 | 12% |
| Internet | $135,203 | $65.0 | 12% |
Understanding how a Lead Designer'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 | $128,676 | $10,723 | $2,475 | $62 |
| Average | $120,717 | $10,060 | $2,321 | $58 |
| 25th Percentile | $110,157 | $9,180 | $2,118 | $53 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Lead Designer job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
First Citizens
San Francisco, CA
First Citizens | San Francisco, CA
OverviewThis is a remote role that may be hired in several markets in the United States.This position is aligned to Silicon Valley Bank, a division of Firs... more
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MedStar Health
Los Angeles, CA
MedStar Health | Los Angeles, CA
OverviewHit Apply below to send your application for consideration Ensure that your CV is up to date, and that you have read the job specs first.This is a ... more
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Artykula
Santa Cruz, CA
Artykula | Santa Cruz, CA
Join a forward-thinking company as a Principal Product Designer, where your creativity and strategic thinking will redefine digital experiences for iconic ... more
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Physics World
Livermore, CA
Physics World | Livermore, CA
A leading educational organization is seeking an experienced Instructional Designer Lead.In this role, you will develop and modernize training systems usin... more
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Crypto.com
San Francisco, CA
Crypto.com | San Francisco, CA
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Age of Learning, Inc.
Los Angeles, CA
Age of Learning, Inc. | Los Angeles, CA
Job Description. Job Description. Company Overview. Age of Learning® is the leading developer of engaging and effective Pre-K through 2nd grade learning re... more
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