Head of Design Salary in Sunderland, United Kingdom
Sunderland offers a median salary of £61,000 for Head of Design. Local firms include automotive suppliers and digital studios. Living costs are relatively low.
Salary by experience level
Entry-level (0-2 years)
Salary range (per year)
£42,000 to £54,000
Average (per year)
£48,000
In Sunderland, entry-level Heads of Design work with digital teams in the automotive supply chain, universities, or health sector startups.
Mid-level (3-5 years)
Salary range (per year)
£54,000 to £67,000
Average (per year)
£61,000
Mid-level salaries increase when candidates take roles with large employers such as Nissan suppliers.
Senior (6-9 years)
Salary range (per year)
£67,000 to £80,000
Average (per year)
£74,000
Senior Heads of Design lead multidisciplinary teams across advanced manufacturing, healthcare, and digital public services.
Principal/Lead (10+ years)
Salary range (per year)
£80,000+
Principal-level roles exist at the largest institutions or regional headquarters and provide higher salaries.
Hourly Rates
For freelance or contract work, hourly rates are typically higher than equivalent salaried positions.
Junior
£28 - £42
per hour
Mid-level
£42 - £65
per hour
Senior
£65 - £90
per hour
The £61,000 median sits above the UK average for the role. Sunderland's housing costs are lower than in many southern cities.