Head of Design Salary in Redwood City, California
Redwood City sits in the heart of Silicon Valley, home to companies like Oracle and Electronic Arts. High cost of living and competition for design leadership increase salaries in the area. Many firms provide equity and base salary as part of compensation.
Salary by experience level
Entry-level (0-2 years)
Salary range (per year)
$135,000 to $168,000
Average (per year)
$152,000
Entry roles in Redwood City support enterprise tech or biotech teams.
Mid-level (3-5 years)
Salary range (per year)
$170,000 to $210,000
Average (per year)
$190,000
Mid-level Heads of Design manage cross-functional teams at SaaS firms, health tech companies, or venture-backed startups.
Senior (6-9 years)
Salary range (per year)
$215,000 to $260,000
Average (per year)
$235,000
Senior roles lead design strategy for product launches at firms such as Oracle, Electronic Arts, or fintech companies.
Principal/Lead (10+ years)
Salary range (per year)
$265,000+
Principal-level leaders report directly to the C-suite or oversee global design operations and receive compensation that includes equity.
Hourly Rates
For freelance or contract work, hourly rates are typically higher than equivalent salaried positions.
Junior
$70 - $90
per hour
Mid-level
$95 - $130
per hour
Senior
$135 - $200
per hour