VP of Design Salary in San Jose, California
San Jose is located in Silicon Valley, a region with many technology companies. Salaries in the area reflect local market factors.
Salary by experience level
Entry-level (0-2 years)
Salary range (per year)
$170,000 to $210,000
Average (per year)
$190,000
Entry-level VPs of Design work at well-funded SaaS startups or hardware firms and receive stock options.
Mid-level (3-5 years)
Salary range (per year)
$211,000 to $260,000
Average (per year)
$235,500
Established Silicon Valley tech companies offer mid-level salaries that include bonuses and equity.
Senior (6-9 years)
Salary range (per year)
$261,000 to $330,000
Average (per year)
$295,500
At major tech companies or unicorn startups, senior VPs lead large design teams and receive long-term incentives.
Principal/Lead (10+ years)
Salary range (per year)
$331,000+
Global companies such as Apple, Adobe, or Cisco offer Principal/Lead salaries that reflect senior compensation levels.
Hourly Rates
For freelance or contract work, hourly rates are typically higher than equivalent salaried positions.
Junior
$120 - $170
per hour
Mid-level
$171 - $230
per hour
Senior
$231 - $300
per hour