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Head of Design Salary in the United States

How much does a Head of Design make in the United States?

As of October 01, 2026, the average salary for a Head of Design in the United States is $147,783 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $71.

However, a Head of Design's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $174,908
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $130,925 to $161,981
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $115,577
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Head of Design Salaries

A Head of Design's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Do Head of Design Salaries Vary from State to State?

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 Head of Designs. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $163,625.
  • California: $163,005.
  • Massachusetts: $160,832.

Top Paying Cities for Head of Designs

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:

  • San Jose: $186,399
  • San Francisco: $184,358
  • Oakland: $180,473

What Skills Can Increase a Head of Design's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Leadership (Mentioned in 9.35% Job Postings): Knowledge of and ability to employ effective strategies that motivate and guide other members within our business to achieve optimum results.
  • Photoshop (Mentioned in 2.33% Job Postings): Photoshop is an image creation, graphic design and photo editing software developed by Adobe. It is used to demonstrate knowledge of image resolution, image size, and image file format for web, video, and print.
  • Digital Design (Mentioned in 1.43% Job Postings): Ability to use tools and software to create and present information or a product through a digital interface.
Skills Demand Percentage
Leadership 9.35%
Photoshop 2.33%
Digital Design 1.43%
See More Skills

What skills can make your compensation higher?

Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a Head of Design's salary.

  • Partnering: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
  • UI: Can increase your salary by up to 3%.
  • Insight: Can increase your salary by up to 3%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Partnering $153,694
4%
UI $152,216
3%
Insight $152,216
3%
Get Latest Data

Head of Design Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Head of Design roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 125% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Pharmaceuticals and Aerospace & Defense sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 60% above the average. In contrast, Head of Design positions in Transportation or Telecom typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Head of Design as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Head of Design

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Pharmaceuticals$236,453$114.060%
Aerospace & Defense$221,674$107.050%
Healthcare$199,507$96.035%
Biotechnology$192,118$92.030%
Media$184,729$89.025%

How Education impacts a Head of Design's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Head of Designs 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 Head of Design with a Bachelor's Degree is between $140,454 and $152,511).

Head of Design Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Head of Design
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%
View as Graph

Head of Design Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Head of Design'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 October 01, 2026
$130,925
Average $147,783/year
$161,981
$10,910
Average $12,315/month
$13,498
$2,518
Average $2,842/week
$3,115
$63
Average $71/hour
$78
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $161,981 $13,498 $3,115 $78
Average $147,783 $12,315 $2,842 $71
25th Percentile $130,925 $10,910 $2,518 $63

Most common benefits for Head of Design

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Head of Design

Here are companies hiring for Head of Design and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Head of Design

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Head of Design?

The Pharmaceuticals industry offers the highest average compensation for Head of Design roles, with salaries approximately 60% above the market median.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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