Design Manager Salary in Orange County, California
Orange County has a high cost of living. Design Managers in Irvine and Costa Mesa earn competitive salaries.
Salary by experience level
Entry-level (0-2 years)
Salary range (per year)
$96,000 to $120,000
Average (per year)
$108,000
Entry-level Design Managers in Orange County work for a variety of companies.
Mid-level (3-5 years)
Salary range (per year)
$121,000 to $148,000
Average (per year)
$134,000
With several years of experience, mid-level professionals work on cross-disciplinary teams at companies like Blizzard Entertainment or Edwards Lifesciences.
Senior (6-9 years)
Salary range (per year)
$149,000 to $176,000
Average (per year)
$162,000
Senior Design Managers lead teams in Irvine.
Principal/Lead (10+ years)
Salary range (per year)
$177,000+
Principal-level roles are found at large organizations across the county.
Hourly Rates
For freelance or contract work, hourly rates are typically higher than equivalent salaried positions.
Junior
$48 - $62
per hour
Mid-level
$63 - $78
per hour
Senior
$79 - $95
per hour