Head of Design Salary in San Francisco, California
San Francisco is a major market for design professionals. Fierce competition between global tech giants and startups drives offers up, while the city's extreme living costs push compensation even higher.
Salary by experience level
Entry-level (0-2 years)
Salary range (per year)
$135,000 to $175,000
Average (per year)
$155,000
Entry-level Heads of Design work for tech startups and receive offers.
Mid-level (3-5 years)
Salary range (per year)
$175,000 to $220,000
Average (per year)
$195,000
Mid-level salaries differ across industries such as fintech, SaaS, and consumer apps.
Senior (6-9 years)
Salary range (per year)
$220,000 to $280,000
Average (per year)
$245,000
Senior Heads in San Francisco manage large creative teams and report to C-suite leaders.
Principal/Lead (10+ years)
Salary range (per year)
$280,000+
Principal Heads of Design earn $280K and above, especially at public tech companies or unicorns.
Hourly Rates
For freelance or contract work, hourly rates are typically higher than equivalent salaried positions.
Junior
$85 - $120
per hour
Mid-level
$120 - $170
per hour
Senior
$170 - $240
per hour