Highest Paying Design Jobs of the Decade

By Martina Mascali, Monster Contributor

As the digital world continues its relentless march forward, the value of good design has never been more apparent. Whether you’re a budding designer dreaming of prestigious assignments or an experienced pro considering a strategic career move, knowing the highest-paying design jobs is necessary.

This isn’t just about chasing dollar signs; it’s about recognizing where your skills and passions can be both appreciated and lucratively compensated. From thriving star-ups to giants, many companies know the true worth of an intuitive interface, compelling graphics, or a user experience that turns mere customers into loyal advocates. And they’re willing to pay top dollars to those who can deliver.

In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the highest-paying design jobs in the U.S., including just how high that pay is on average, the daily tasks, and growth outlook. And because we understand how vital career advancement is, we’ll also arm you with actionable tips to elevate your design career and score that high-paying design job you’ve been eyeing.

The Best Paying Design Jobs in the U.S.

Whether you’re ready to start your journey in the world of design or seeking to transition to the pinnacle of the industry, this guide is your roadmap to a brighter, more prosperous future in the ever-evolving landscape of design. There are many different careers for people who love drawing and here we share with you the most remunerative ones.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) anticipates about 95,800 job openings for art and design occupations each year. The median annual wage ranges from $33,160 to $105,180 depending on the occupation and location. Let’s take a closer look at the qualifications and skills required to land some of the highest-paying design jobs, so you can start working towards your dream career.

Art Director

Art directors breathe life into a project by shaping its overall look and feel. They are in charge of the visual style and imagery in magazines, newspapers, movies, television productions, and on product packaging. In this role, you’ll review and approve designs and graphics developed by staff and collaborate with clients to determine visual goals.

Art directors must have creativity, strong leadership, and great communication skills. They must also be experts in time management and decision-making, ensuring projects stay on schedule. The industry projects a slightly faster growth compared to all occupations and a yearly average of around 13,800 jobs for art directors over the next decade. The yearly salary for art directors averages $80,750 within a range from $52,337 to $104,625.

Browse all art director jobs on Monster.

Animator

Animators bring stories, characters, and worlds to life. Through a blend of art, technology, and storytelling, they craft visual experiences for movies, video games, advertisements, and more. Working with other teams, they ensure the visuals align with narratives, soundtracks, or client needs.

Animators must have a knack for creating, have mastery over animation software and great attention to detail. According to BLS, the job growth rate for multimedia artists and animators is 8%, which translates to a yearly average of about 9,400 jobs over the next decade. The yearly salary for animators averages $57,409 within a range from $37,729 to $93,469.

Browse all animator jobs on Monster.

Industrial Designer

Industrial designers are the masterminds behind the aesthetic and functional design of many products we use daily. They are user-centric innovators and use both hand-drawn sketches and digital tools to visualize concepts. Articulating design ideas and collaborating with teams is their daily routine.

Essential skills and qualities to work as an industrial designer are creativity, attention to detail, problem-solving, and proficiency in CADD software. Over the next decade, we can expect a yearly average of about 2,200 jobs for industrial designers. The salary for industrial designers averages $77,051 per year within a range from $41,431 to $110,321.

Browse all industrial designer jobs on Monster.

Fashion Designer

Fashion designers are the trendsetters of the apparel industry, creating fresh styles and inspiring the way we express ourselves through clothing and accessories. They use both hand sketches and digital tools to visualize their creations and then choose fabrics, colors, and patterns aligning with their vision.

Fashion designers oversee the production of prototype clothing articles and often present their collections during high-profile fashion events. They must have great attention to detail and strong decision-making skills as picking the right fabric or design alteration can make or break a collection. The yearly salary for fashion designers averages $59,970 within a range from $35,275 to $108,186.

Browse all fashion designer jobs on Monster.

Graphic Designer

Graphic designers are the maestros of visual communication. They craft compelling visuals that capture attention, convey messages, and establish brand identities. Working alongside marketers, writers, and other professionals, they structure elements on web pages, magazines, and other media for optimal visual appeal.

As the world of design is ever-evolving, graphic designers must stay up to date with trends and software changes. They need excellent proficiency in design software, like Photoshop and Illustrator, and an innate ability to think outside the box and craft unique designs. Over the decade, BLS anticipates a yearly average of about 22,800 jobs for graphic designers. The salary for graphic designers averages $23.1 per hour within a range from $16.97 to $37.18.

Browse all graphic designer jobs on Monster.

Interior Designer

Interior designers are the visionaries behind the aesthetics, functionality, and ambiance of indoor spaces, making homes, offices, and public places both captivating and comfortable. They pick out color palettes, furniture, fittings, and other materials and work closely with clients to understand their needs, preferences, and budgets.

Interior designers find innovative ways to maximize space and enhance its usability by using their creativity, technical proficiency in design software, attention to detail, and problem-solving skills. Over the decade, BLS anticipates a yearly average of about 9,000 jobs for interior designers. The yearly salary for interior designers averages $53,432 within a range from $37,376 to $78,425.

Browse all interior designer jobs on Monster.

Web Designer

Web designers are the architects of the digital world, sculping user-friendly, aesthetically pleasing websites that serve as gateways to businesses, portfolios, and information. They ensure sites function seamlessly across various devices, from desktops to smartphones. They often team up with web developers, content creators, and marketers.

Web designers are creatives with an eye for design, color, and typography and proficiency in design software, HTML, CSS, and often JavaScript. This is one of the highest-paying graphic design jobs as the yearly salary for web designers averages $56,433 within a range from $39,934 to $88,124. For more information on this career, check our guide on how to become a web designer.

Browse all web designer jobs on Monster.

UX Designer

User experience (UX) designers are the strategists behind digital platforms, ensuring every swipe, click, and interaction is intuitive and fulfilling for users. They analyze and understand user behaviors, needs, and motivations and draft design solutions to address user needs.

UX designers work hand-in-hand with UI designers, web developers, and stakeholders to ensure a cohesive user experience. Post-launch, they gather feedback and continuously refine the digital experience. The yearly salary for UX designers averages $56,433 within a range from $39,934 to $88,124.

Browse all UX designer jobs on Monster.

Product Designer

Product designers stand at the crossroads of problem-solving and innovation, molding products that seamlessly blend function with form, be it digital apps or tangible goods. They identify consumer problems and needs, translate ideas into tangible or digital prototypes, gather feedback, and make design improvements.

Product designers are innovators with the ability to envision unique product solutions, always putting the end user’s needs at the forefront. They are great communicators and have excellent problem-solving and teamwork skills. The yearly salary for product designers averages $101,373 within a range from $67,325 to $122,121.

Browse all product designer jobs on Monster.

Motion Graphics Designer

Motion graphics designers are the storytellers of the digital age, crafting compelling visual narratives, that move, engage, and inspire. They animate graphics, text, and images to create sequences and often work with audio elements, syncing them perfectly with visual animations.

To produce cohesive projects, motion graphics designers team up with animators, video editors, sound designers, and other creatives. These designers have artistic flair, technical proficiency in tools like Adobe After Effects, and great storytelling and teamwork skills.

BLS places motion graphic designers in the same category as animators and foresees for both a yearly average of about 9,400 jobs over the next decade. Midst the highest paying graphic design jobs, the yearly salary for motion graphics designers averages $57,409 within a range from $37,729 to $93,469.

Browse all motion graphics designer jobs on Monster.

Game Designers

Game designers are the masterminds behind the interactive experiences in the gaming universe. They dream up the words, rules, and challenges that captivate millions. From envisioning game themes, characters, and stories to map out gameplay mechanics, levels, and player objectives.

With great teamwork and communication skills, game designers work hand-in-hand with other specialists and refine the game until it’s just right. Their creativity and narrative skills help them conjure unique and engaging game worlds with compelling story arcs and characters’ backstories. The yearly salary for game designers averages $73,064 within a range from $49,198 to $108,044.

Browse all game designer jobs on Monster.

Design Manager

Design managers are the strategic leaders of the design world, merging creative vision with managerial skills. They ensure that design processes run smoothly, projects hit their mark, and teams flourish. They oversee project direction and strategy, resource allocation, client liaison, and quality assurance.

Design managers’ distinctive skills include visionary thinking, organizational prowess, decisiveness, empathy, and excellent communication. The yearly salary for design managers averages $90,499 within a range from $69,714 to $117,047.

Browse all design manager jobs on Monster.

Package Designer

Package designers are the visual storytellers of the product world. They design the very first touchpoint a consumer has with a product, blending form with function to create visually appealing and practical packaging.

Part of their job is studying market trends, consumer preferences, and competitive products. Also, collaborating with product managers, marketers, and manufacturers to ensure packaging aligns with brand identity and messaging.

Package designers’ strongest qualities and skills include creativity, attention to detail, problem-solving, and material knowledge. The yearly salary for package designers averages $67,825 within a range from $47,996 to $99,673.

Browse all package designer jobs on Monster.

Tips for Getting One of the Highest-Paying Design Jobs

Dreaming of standing atop the design world, where creativity meets lucrative compensation? Where your designs don’t just communicate, but resonate and redefine market trends? Here’s the secret: your journey to those high-paying design jobs is part art, part strategy.

Aiming for the highest paying design jobs requires a blend of upskilling, precision in job applications, and acing those critical job interviews. Here we share tips and strategies to help you make the jump and sculpt your design career’s trajectory.

Get the Proper Education and Certifications

The foundation of all the highest-paying design jobs rests on formal education and relevant certifications. A bachelor's or master’s in design, be it graphic design, industrial design, or UX design, can set you on the right trajectory.

These are some of the best colleges offering a Design Major:

Duke University
University of California (Los Angeles)
University of Notre Dame
University of Michigan (Ann Arbor)
Carnegie Mellon University

Specialized courses that delve deep into niche areas and certifications from recognized organizations can give you an edge. They validate your expertise and dedication and boost your credibility. Moreover, by pursuing post-graduate courses or workshops you’ll stay updated with the latest tools and techniques:

These are some of the most requested certifications for design jobs:

Adobe Photoshop
Adobe Certified Expert (ACE)
Adobe Illustrator
Certified Graphic Designer
Adobe Certified Associate (ACA)

Expand and Improve Your Skills

In the fast-evolving realm of design, staying static isn’t an option. To fetch the highest salaries, you need to consistently improve and diversify your skill set. Here’s how:

Continuous learning. Stay updated with trends by attending design workshops, webinars, courses and events, and reading design magazines, blogs, and forums.
Hands-on projects. Real-world challenges provide the best learning experiences. For example, if you are learning graphic design, consider designing logos or branding material for a local non-profit or startup.
Explore outside your niche. Get out of your comfort zone and try new things, like learning the principles of UX or 3D design.
Feedback is golden. Critique helps us identify areas for improvement and being open to constructive criticism can help you refine your final outputs.

These are some of the most requested skills for designers:

Creativity
Communication
Adobe's creative apps
Interactive media
Coding

Send Accurate Job Applications

Precision and attention to detail in applications can be the gateway to landing those highest-paying design jobs. Here’s what you should do when job hunting:

Build tailored portfolios to align with specific job roles, showcasing your projects that resonate most with the job description.
Write a unique resume and cover letter for each application. Address the company’s needs and principles and how your design skills and philosophy align with them.
Proofread your applications multiple times or use tools like Grammarly to help you check your accuracy. You don’t want typos to cast a shadow on your professionalism.
Stay organized and track your applications, follow-ups, scheduled interviews, and feedback.

Check out these resume and cover letter samples optimized for design jobs:

Prepare for Your Job Interviews

The interview isn’t just about your skills; it’s about you, your ethos, and how you fit into the company’s tapestry. By following our interview tips for creative jobs, you can increase your chances of making a good impression at your next job interviews:

Research the company’s past design work. This provides a talking point and shows you’ve done your homework.
Practice common interview questions related to the highest-paying design job requirements and responsibilities. For example, practice with sample leadership interview questions if interviewing for leadership positions, or sample C# interview questions for roles requiring programming and coding.
Be ready to discuss the journey of your designs, not just the outcomes. Use the STAR method to walk them through your creative process, challenges, and resolutions.
Emphasize skills such as teamwork, communication, and adaptability. Design isn’t a solitary endeavor; how you collaborate with teams and handle feedback makes a difference.
Ask pertinent questions to demonstrate your genuine interest in joining the team and gather insights into the company’s direction. For example: “Are there regular brainstorming and training sessions to stay updated with evolving design trends?”

Join Monster to Land One of the Highest Paying Design Jobs

Elevating your status in the design world requires more than talent alone. Seize high-paying design jobs with Monster as your journey companion. Create a free profile today and opt-in to receive notifications for the highest-paying design jobs near you. And, don’t forget to upload your resume for maximum exposure and receive direct job proposals from recruiters.