Design Director Salary in Stockport, United Kingdom

Stockport's design sector offers a median salary of £61,000. This figure is based on data from digital agencies and regional tech firms.

Salary by experience level

Entry-level (0-2 years)

Salary range (per year)

£41,000 to £54,000

Average (per year)

£47,500

Entry‑level Design Directors in Manchester work at creative agencies or in‑house at large firms.

Mid-level (3-5 years)

Salary range (per year)

£55,000 to £66,500

Average (per year)

£61,000

At the mid-level, professionals lead teams or manage key projects, earning more as they take on responsibility for major Manchester clients.

Senior (6-9 years)

Salary range (per year)

£67,500 to £84,000

Average (per year)

£75,750

Seniors oversee multiple teams or large‑scale brand work for Manchester's tech, media, and retail employers.

Principal/Lead (10+ years)

Salary range (per year)

£86,000+

Principal Design Directors at Manchester agencies and corporations receive higher salaries when managing national or international portfolios.

Hourly Rates

For freelance or contract work, hourly rates are typically higher than equivalent salaried positions.

Junior

£26 - £36

per hour

Mid-level

£37 - £53

per hour

Senior

£54 - £76

per hour

Nationally, Design Directors average around £68,000. Stockport's figure sits slightly below that benchmark.