Director
Design Director
Career Level
Junior
Mid
Senior
Director
VP
Executive
Work Personality
A
E
C
I
R
S
Artisticcreative, expressive
Enterprisingleading, persuading
Based on Holland Code framework
Industries that often hire Design Directors
Job markets for Design Directors
Employment concentration · ~296 areas
Based on employment in related occupations
Mapped SOC categories:
BLS Occupational Employment Statistics
What it's like
What it's like to be a Design Director
Content not yet generated for this role.
What people in this role value
IndependenceHigh
AchievementHigh
Working ConditionsAbove avg
RecognitionModerate
SupportLower
RelationshipsLower
O*NET Work Values survey
✦ Editorial — written by Truest from industry research and career patterns
Career Paths
Where this role sits in the broader career landscape — and where it can take you.
Earning potential across this track
All experience levels1
This level's estimated range
1 BLS OEWS May 2024 covers all Design Directors (SOC 15-1255.01, 27-1011.00), not just this title · BEA RPP 2023
* Top salaries exceed this figure. BLS caps reported wages at ~$240K to protect individual privacy in high-earning roles.
Career Growth OptionsArts & Media track →
Also appears in: Technology
Exploring the Design Director career path? Truest helps you figure out if it's the right fit — and plan your path forward.
Explore career tools✦ Editorial — career progression and interview guidance based on industry patterns
The Broader Landscape
Roles like this one sit within a broader occupational category. The numbers below reflect that full landscape — helpful for context, but your specific experience will depend on level, specialty, and where you work.
$48K–$211K
Salary Range
10th – 90th percentile
162K
U.S. Employment
+5.6%
10yr Growth
21K
Annual Openings
How this category is changing
BLS OEWS May 2024 · BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034
Skills & Requirements
Active ListeningSpeakingProgrammingActive ListeningReading ComprehensionReading ComprehensionJudgment and Decision MakingCritical ThinkingCritical ThinkingJudgment and Decision Making
O*NET OnLine · Bureau of Labor Statistics
Mapped SOC Codes
15-1255.0127-1011.00
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Explore Truest career toolsFederal data: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics (May 2024) · BLS Employment Projections · O*NET OnLine
Truest editorial: Fit check, role profile, things that vary, advancement analysis, lateral moves, interview questions.
Truest editorial: Fit check, role profile, things that vary, advancement analysis, lateral moves, interview questions.