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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Lead Designer in Montana is $103,326 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $50.
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 | $110,139 | $9,178 | $2,118 | $53 |
| Average | $103,326 | $8,611 | $1,987 | $50 |
| 25th Percentile | $94,287 | $7,857 | $1,813 | $45 |
Floor - ATLANTA, GA
Adams Outdoor - CHARLOTTE, NC
Entravision - PHOENIX, AZ
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University - PRESCOTT, AZ
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 | $126,798 |
| CAD Super... Level Lead Designer | $86,162 |
| Lead Desi... Level Lead Designer | $102,825 |
| CAD Manag... Level Lead Designer | $116,884 |
| CAD Senio... Level Lead Designer | $142,789 |
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 | $129,158 | $62.0 | 25% |
| Software & Networking | $126,058 | $61.0 | 22% |
| Insurance | $118,825 | $57.0 | 15% |
| Aerospace & Defense | $115,725 | $56.0 | 12% |
| Internet | $115,725 | $56.0 | 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 | $110,139 | $9,178 | $2,118 | $53 |
| Average | $103,326 | $8,611 | $1,987 | $50 |
| 25th Percentile | $94,287 | $7,857 | $1,813 | $45 |
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.
New York Life Insurance company
JERSEY CITY, NJ
New York Life Insurance company | JERSEY CITY, NJ
Alternate locations: Jersey City, NJ (New Jersey). New York, NY (New York) A bout New York Life Investment Management With over $800 billion in assets unde... more
7 Days Ago
Christ Covenant Church
ATLANTA, GA
Christ Covenant Church | ATLANTA, GA
About the role: Christ Covenant is looking for a talented and mission-minded Graphic Designer to join our Communications Team. This role exists to help vis... more
7 Days Ago
Allegro Senior Living, LLC
RALEIGH, NC
Allegro Senior Living, LLC | RALEIGH, NC
Marketing & Brand Designer The Marketing & Brand Designer is responsible for creating high-quality, brand-aligned materials that support marketing, sales, ... more
7 Days Ago
Floor
ROSWELL, GA
Floor | ROSWELL, GA
Base Pay This role has a minimum base pay from $16.78 per hour with higher starting pay available based on experience. Purpose: Floor & Decor Sr. Designer ... more
7 Days Ago
Brass International
MOORESVILLE, NC
Brass International | MOORESVILLE, NC
Position: Graphic Designer Company Overview: Company Overview: Brass International is a provider of outsourced solutions for CPG brands across a variety of... more
7 Days Ago
12100collective.com
NEW YORK CITY, NY
12100collective.com | NEW YORK CITY, NY
The Role We're looking for a talented and versatile Graphic Designer to join our creative team. In this role, you'll support a portfolio of high-growth cli... more
7 Days Ago
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