Design salaries have grown steadily as companies invest in user experience. Product and UX designers at top companies now earn comparable salaries to engineers.
| Role | Entry Level | Mid Level | Senior |
|---|---|---|---|
| UX Designer | $55k–$75k | $80k–$120k | $125k–$170k |
| UI Designer | $50k–$70k | $75k–$115k | $120k–$160k |
| Product Designer | $60k–$80k | $85k–$130k | $135k–$180k |
| Graphic Designer | $40k–$55k | $60k–$85k | $90k–$120k |
| Design Manager | N/A | $120k–$160k | $165k–$220k |
The average UX designer salary in the US is approximately $90k–$120k. Entry-level UX designers start around $55k–$75k, mid-level designers earn $80k–$120k, and senior UX designers or design leads earn $125k–$175k. At top tech companies, senior product designers can exceed $200k in total compensation.
Generally, software engineers earn more than UX designers at comparable experience levels. However, the gap has narrowed significantly in the last decade. Senior product designers at companies like Google, Apple, and Airbnb can earn $200k–$350k+ in total compensation — competitive with engineering roles.
In order of average pay: (1) Design systems lead/engineer — bridges design and engineering. (2) Product design manager — leads a team and owns design strategy. (3) Senior product designer — owns end-to-end product experiences. Graphic and visual designers typically earn less unless they move into brand leadership roles.
The most effective strategies: (1) Move from agency to in-house tech company, (2) Develop a specialization (design systems, motion, 0-to-1 product), (3) Build a strong portfolio with measurable outcomes (e.g., 'improved checkout conversion by 18%'), (4) Move into design leadership, (5) Switch companies — internal raises rarely match market rates.
Some companies apply location adjustments for remote designers. However, remote design roles are widely available, and many companies (especially those with distributed teams) offer location-agnostic salaries. Remote work also opens access to higher-paying companies you couldn't join locally.