Design Manager Salary in Irvine, California
Irvine, in Orange County, is home to headquarters such as Blizzard Entertainment and Edwards Lifesciences. Design manager salaries in Irvine are affected by the cost of living and demand from tech, medical, and engineering sectors.
Salary by experience level
Entry-level (0-2 years)
Salary range (per year)
$75,000 to $88,000
Average (per year)
$81,500
In Irvine, recent graduates who join software, gaming, or healthcare companies start at entry-level positions.
Mid-level (3-5 years)
Salary range (per year)
$90,000 to $111,000
Average (per year)
$100,500
Mid-level managers coordinate cross-functional teams for tech employers or biotech firms.
Senior (6-9 years)
Salary range (per year)
$113,000 to $137,000
Average (per year)
$125,000
Senior professionals lead design for large software products, medical device companies, or fast-growing startups.
Principal/Lead (10+ years)
Salary range (per year)
$140,000+
Principal managers oversee creative direction for employers and may head multi-disciplinary teams.
Hourly Rates
For freelance or contract work, hourly rates are typically higher than equivalent salaried positions.
Junior
$38 - $48
per hour
Mid-level
$49 - $62
per hour
Senior
$63 - $77
per hour