Design Manager Salary in Portsmouth, United Kingdom
Portsmouth's design managers earn a median of £46,500 a year. Local shipyards and tech firms are part of the regional economy. Living costs are below the South East average.
Salary by experience level
Entry-level (0-2 years)
Salary range (per year)
£34,500 to £40,100
Average (per year)
£37,625
Starting roles are found in engineering support or public sector teams, with modest pay.
Mid-level (3-5 years)
Salary range (per year)
£42,000 to £50,750
Average (per year)
£46,500
Mid-level managers handle project coordination for local tech firms or council projects.
Senior (6-9 years)
Salary range (per year)
£52,750 to £60,000
Average (per year)
£56,250
Senior staff lead design operations, working with regional construction or telecommunications employers.
Principal/Lead (10+ years)
Salary range (per year)
£61,500+
Principal managers set design strategy for larger organisations or multinational branches.
Hourly Rates
For freelance or contract work, hourly rates are typically higher than equivalent salaried positions.
Junior
£17 - £21
per hour
Mid-level
£22 - £28
per hour
Senior
£28 - £37
per hour
The median here exceeds the UK average for design managers by roughly £5,000. The gap is observed in Portsmouth.