Design Director Salary in Hawthorne, California
Salaries for creative leadership in Hawthorne vary. Salaries can differ across roles. Design Directors' salaries reflect industry and cost-of-living factors.
Salary by experience level
Entry-level (0-2 years)
Salary range (per year)
$93,000 to $121,000
Average (per year)
$107,000
Entry-level Design Directors in Hawthorne work at various firms.
Mid-level (3-5 years)
Salary range (per year)
$122,000 to $148,000
Average (per year)
$133,000
Mid-level professionals manage small teams, especially at companies like SpaceX, with compensation driven by industry competition.
Senior (6-9 years)
Salary range (per year)
$149,000 to $178,000
Average (per year)
$162,000
Senior Design Directors oversee larger projects.
Principal/Lead (10+ years)
Salary range (per year)
$179,000+
Principal-level leads in Hawthorne manage multi-disciplinary design across organizations.
Hourly Rates
For freelance or contract work, hourly rates are typically higher than equivalent salaried positions.
Junior
$48 - $68
per hour
Mid-level
$69 - $92
per hour
Senior
$93 - $120
per hour