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Design roles pay a median of $212K in 2026, based on 977 public job postings. Top-paying: Head of Design at $261K. Design covers designers who shape the product experience and brand.
Median $212K across 977 public job postings. 6 roles tracked.
| Role | Median | Range | Postings |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Head of Design | $261K | $210K–$302K | 82 |
| 2. Principal Designer | $241K | $225K–$280K | 152 |
| 3. Design Lead | $222K | $175K–$265K | 59 |
| 4. Senior Product Designer | $192K | $158K–$225K | 328 |
| 5. Product Designer | $180K | $132K–$250K | 335 |
| 6. Design Manager | $175K | $150K–$190K | 21 |
Design covers designers who shape the product experience and brand. Figures reflect base salary at AI-native and high-growth companies — no private placement data.
The median Design salary is $212K in 2026, based on 977 public job postings. The highest-paying Design role is Head of Design at $261K.
Head of Design: $261K; Principal Designer: $241K; Design Lead: $222K.
Public job postings on company career pages — no private placement or client data. We require a minimum of 15 postings per role.
USD base salary aggregated from 977 public job postings (2025–2026). Range = 25th–75th percentile; median = 50th percentile. At least 15 postings required per role. Last refreshed June 10, 2026.
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