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Design Leads at high-growth companies earn $175K–$265K. Median: $222K. Based on 59 public job postings (2025–2026). US DOL certified wage filings (FY2025): $168K median.
Median: $222K · Based on 59 public job postings · Updated June 10, 2026
This Design Lead salary benchmark is built from public job postings at high-growth and AI-native companies — no private placement data. Figures reflect base salary and are refreshed as new postings are collected.
Design Leads are designers who shape the product experience and brand. This benchmark reflects Lead-level base compensation at high-growth and AI-native companies.
For corroboration, U.S. Department of Labor certified wage filings (FY2025) show a median of $168K for Design Lead roles, ranging $160K–$191K, across 21 filings. This is reported separately from — never blended with — the job-posting median above.
What is the average Design Lead salary at an AI startup?
The median base salary is $222K, with a typical range of $175K–$265K, based on 59 public job postings collected in 2025–2026.
Where does this salary data come from?
It is aggregated from public job postings on company career pages — no private placement or client data. We require a minimum of 15 postings per role.
Figures are USD base salary aggregated from 59 public job postings (2025–2026). The range shown is the 25th–75th percentile; the median is the 50th percentile. Roles require at least 15 postings to be published. Last refreshed June 10, 2026.
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