As of January 01, 2026, the average salary for a Design Director in the United States is $141,050 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $68.
However, a Design Director's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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A 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, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
Experience is a primary driver of a 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:
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Entry Level Design Director | $134,760 |
| Intermediate Level Design Director | $136,018 |
| Senior Level Design Director | $138,031 |
| Specialist Level Design Director | $140,547 |
| Expert Level Design Director | $144,303 |
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 Directors. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Demanded Skills for the Role:
| Skills | Demand Percentage |
|---|---|
| Leadership | 9.35% |
| Photoshop | 2.33% |
| Digital Design | 1.43% |
| Skill | Salary | Salary % Increase |
|---|---|---|
|
Partnering
|
$146,692 |
4%
|
|
UI
|
$145,282 |
3%
|
|
Insight
|
$145,282 |
3%
|
|
Leadership
|
$143,871 |
2%
|
|
Client Relationship
|
$143,871 |
2%
|
|
Collaboration
|
$143,871 |
2%
|
Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Design Directors enter the field with a Bachelor's Degree degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.
According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a Design Director with a Bachelor's Degree is between $140,454 and $152,511).
Design Director Salaries by Degree Level
| Degree Level | % of user with this level of education |
|---|---|
| No Diploma | 0.7% |
| High School | 6.0% |
| Associates | 8.1% |
| Bachelors | 67.9% |
| Masters | 16.7% |
| Doctorate | 0.6% |
Understanding how a 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 January 01, 2026Salaries for a Design Director can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $130,954 in 2023 to around $124,977 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Design Director salary trends, .
| Year | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 2022 |
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|
| 2023 | $130,954 |
| 2024 | $127,854 |
| 2025 | $124,977 |
| 2026 |
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|
| 2027 |
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|
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Compensation PlanningHere are companies hiring for Design Director and their salaries, click below for more details.
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Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.
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