As of January 01, 2026, the average salary for a Principal Designer in the United States is $247,652 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $119.
However, a Principal Designer's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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A Principal 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, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
Experience is a primary driver of a Principal 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 |
|---|---|
| Entry Level Principal Designer | $235,477 |
| Intermediate Level Principal Designer | $237,066 |
| Senior Level Principal Designer | $238,390 |
| Specialist Level Principal Designer | $240,509 |
| Expert Level Principal Designer | $243,158 |
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 Principal Designers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Demanded Skills for the Role:
| Skills | Demand Percentage |
|---|---|
| Collaboration | 4.35% |
| A/B Testing | 2.17% |
| Competitive Analysis | 2.17% |
| Skill | Salary | Salary % Increase |
|---|---|---|
|
A/B Testing
|
$316,995 |
28%
|
|
Product Planning
|
$314,518 |
27%
|
|
Product Engineering
|
$304,612 |
23%
|
|
Product Management
|
$299,659 |
21%
|
|
Mobile Applications
|
$289,753 |
17%
|
|
Product Strategy
|
$287,276 |
16%
|
Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Principal Designers 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 Principal Designer with a Bachelor's Degree is between $242,195 and $259,928).
Principal Designer Salaries by Degree Level
| Degree Level | % of user with this level of education |
|---|---|
| No Diploma | 11.4% |
| High School | 11.4% |
| Associates | 45.7% |
| Bachelors | 37.1% |
| Masters | 45.7% |
| Doctorate | 5.7% |
Understanding how a Principal 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.
Last Updated on January 01, 2026Salaries for a Principal Designer can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $222,580 in 2023 to around $219,382 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Principal Designer salary trends, .
| Year | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 2022 |
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|
| 2023 | $222,580 |
| 2024 | $222,600 |
| 2025 | $219,382 |
| 2026 |
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|
| 2027 |
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|
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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.)
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