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Job outlook for design managers in the United States
Design manager job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected design manager job growth rate is 2% from 2018-2028.
About 4,400 new jobs for design managers are projected over the next decade.
Design manager salaries have increased 11% for design managers in the last 5 years.
There are over 25,257 design managers currently employed in the United States.
There are 61,273 active design manager job openings in the US.
The average design manager salary is $102,637.
Are design manager jobs in demand?
Design manager job and salary trends over time
Design manager jobs over time
Design manager job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 25,257 | 0.01% |
| 2020 | 25,844 | 0.01% |
| 2019 | 26,300 | 0.01% |
| 2018 | 25,512 | 0.01% |
| 2017 | 24,493 | 0.01% |
Average design manager salary over time
Design manager salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $102,637 | $49.34 | +3.2% |
| 2024 | $99,411 | $47.79 | +2.9% |
| 2023 | $96,618 | $46.45 | +2.2% |
| 2022 | $94,531 | $45.45 | +2.2% |
| 2021 | $92,479 | $44.46 | +1.5% |
Design manager jobs by state
Most common states for design managers
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 179 | 26% |
| 2 | Washington | 7,405,743 | 1,038 | 14% |
| 3 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 944 | 14% |
| 4 | Oregon | 4,142,776 | 587 | 14% |
| 5 | California | 39,536,653 | 4,618 | 12% |
| 6 | Vermont | 623,657 | 70 | 11% |
| 7 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 846 | 10% |
| 8 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 551 | 10% |
| 9 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 135 | 10% |
| 10 | Delaware | 961,939 | 98 | 10% |
| 11 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 510 | 9% |
| 12 | Utah | 3,101,833 | 281 | 9% |
| 13 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 92 | 9% |
| 14 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 505 | 8% |
| 15 | Connecticut | 3,588,184 | 301 | 8% |
| 16 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 81 | 8% |
| 17 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 58 | 8% |
| 18 | Alaska | 739,795 | 56 | 8% |
| 19 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 45 | 8% |
| 20 | Arizona | 7,016,270 | 518 | 7% |
Most common cities for design managers
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Burlington | 6 | 24% | $104,453 |
| 2 | Mountain View | 4 | 5% | $137,894 |
| 3 | Atlanta | 15 | 3% | $89,901 |
| 4 | Santa Clara | 4 | 3% | $137,743 |
| 5 | Boston | 14 | 2% | $104,718 |
| 6 | San Diego | 8 | 1% | $123,035 |
| 7 | San Francisco | 8 | 1% | $138,165 |
| 8 | Washington | 7 | 1% | $105,986 |
| 9 | Denver | 6 | 1% | $81,266 |
| 10 | Detroit | 5 | 1% | $101,082 |
| 11 | New Orleans | 5 | 1% | $107,159 |
| 12 | Tampa | 5 | 1% | $78,975 |
| 13 | Irvine | 3 | 1% | $126,146 |
| 14 | Los Angeles | 13 | 0% | $128,360 |
| 15 | Chicago | 6 | 0% | $95,435 |
| 16 | New York | 6 | 0% | $98,789 |
| 17 | San Jose | 4 | 0% | $137,562 |
| 18 | Baltimore | 3 | 0% | $95,903 |
| 19 | Indianapolis | 3 | 0% | $86,280 |
| 20 | Phoenix | 3 | 0% | $118,552 |
Design Manager job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of design manager experts
Pennsylvania State University - Abington
Ferris State University
University of Iowa
University of Maryland - College Park
Clemson University
Ohio University
California Polyechnic State University
York College of Pennsylvania
Kettering University
Union College
University of Utah
California State University - Sacramento
University of Pittsburgh
Tyler School of Art and Architecture, Temple University
Kansas City Art Institute
AIGA, the professional association for design
What Design Manager skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Yi Yang PhD: In the next 3-5 years, I believe management skills will become increasingly important. Engineers who can bridge the gap between technical complexity and business strategy, driving innovation and growth in their organizations will be very valuable.
What type of skills will young Design Managers need?
Patrick Klarecki: Recent projections from the Printing United Alliance show business owners are optimistic about 2021 and see their needs returning to "Pre-COVID" levels by the end of 2021 or early 2022. The workforce in our industry continues to age, technology continues to evolve, and young minds' needs will prevail.
What skills stand out on Design Manager resumes?
Casey DeRoo Ph.D.: Rather than a concrete skill, previous experience in managing teams to accomplish engineering-related tasks is sure to make you a standout. Showcasing familiarity with work management software (e.g., Jira) or budget/total effort tracking systems is important. Find out what software the company you're seeking employment with uses, and be sure to highlight this if you're familiar with it.
What soft skills should all Design Managers possess?
Casey DeRoo Ph.D.: The ability to understand the people on your team and allocate project work accordingly is important. In this role, you may find that you "step back" from the day-to-day of engineering and coordinate work on a project across multiple individuals with unique outlooks and skillsets. Recognize that "one size doesn't fit all" when it comes to management. Harnessing the make-up or the desired professional goals of your team to accomplish your assigned projects leads to better outcomes and productivity. Many skilled engineers lack leadership skills, so highlight these on your resume or during your interview if you have applicable experience.
Donald Yeung
Professor and Associate Chair for Undergraduate Education, Affiliate Professor, Computer Science DepartmentUniversity of Maryland - College Park
Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
What hard/technical skills are most important for Design Managers?
Donald Yeung: In terms of hard technical skills, I believe the courses students take along with their GPA in these courses is one level of demonstration. (As I mentioned above, employers know about our program probably down to specific courses, and so if someone gets an A+ in some notoriously challenging course, that's probably known and appreciated). Some employers will give technical interviews and require students to solve problems on their feet. But I think most employers will judge this based on a student's transcript.
Dr. John Ballato
J. E. Sirrine Endowed Chair and ProfessorClemson University
Department of Materials Science and Engineering
What skills will help Design Managers earn the most?
Dr. John Ballato: Here, too, the answer depends on the field, job position (and location), and organization. MSE graduates generally are well compensated compared to other engineering fields. The most important thing is that you wake up every morning and are excited about the work you're doing. There's no substitute for enjoying your work, regardless of how much you are paid.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Design Manager job market given the pandemic?
Robert Williams Ph.D.: Clearly a huge change we have seen in the past year, that will have some impact into the future, is widespread telecommuting, i.e. working from home. For employees just entering the job market in 2021, they have my sympathy - I think it would be very hard to start in a new job with only meeting your co-workers and boss via Zoom or Teams. On the other hand, in my own experience as a (reluctant but necessary) remote on-line educator, my time on the job daily is much ore efficient in working from home. Some of my engineer friends in industry have said the same thing, they are much more efficient working from home rather than in the lab, office, or plant.
What technical skills for a Design Manager stand out to employers?
Robert Williams Ph.D.: Modeling, simulation, CAD software; problem solving; design based on analysis and experiment; computer skills; the ability to learn new software.
What will help Design Managers increase their earning potential?
Kenneth Macro Ph.D.: Today is about wanting to learn all that one can learn. Meaning, using an online learning platform like LinkedIn Learning or others to brush up on software applications or gain experience with a current programming language, or experimenting with web development or web design applications-or simply exploring newer office enterprise management packages-all can provide skills to a portfolio that extend one's employability. Companies want to know that their potential hires are resourceful, open to learning new ways in which to work, be productive, communicate in teams, and quickly prepare and adjust for change. This is applied to all people in every field that encompasses Graphic Communication.
Tristan Ericson Ph.D.
Associate ProfessorYork College of Pennsylvania
Civil and Mechanical Engineering
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Design Manager job market given the pandemic?
Tristan Ericson Ph.D.: Engineering jobs will still be available. Some companies are struggling in the pandemic, but some are thriving. Our students are still able to find co-ops, and our graduates are still finding jobs. The market has slowed a bit, but not as much as I expected. Rather, we see a shift in job availability as the need for different technologies changes. Most of our summer 2020 graduating seniors found jobs. It took more time for some of them to secure employment than typical, but their ultimate success rate was higher than I would have anticipated in such an uncertain time. Going forward, I think the need for engineering jobs will gradually increase to levels higher than pre-pandemic. Consider the Biden administration's ambitious infrastructure goals. These alone will place increased demand on engineering, but they are also a broader indicator of society's increased need for innovation and product development. The push for vehicle electrification will provide many new job opportunities in that staple industry.
What soft skills should all Design Managers possess?
Tristan Ericson Ph.D.: We follow engineering students on co-ops and ask employers about what skills graduates must have. Communication skills are consistently cited. This will be even more necessary going forward as more communication is conducted electronically. I always tell students that you could be the best engineering in the world, but it will be no value to you or anyone else if you can't articulate and advocate for your ideas.
What technical skills for a Design Manager stand out to employers?
Patrick Atkinson: Broadly speaking, employers are looking for employees who can jump in, take on a project and move things forward. Since engineers are data-driven, knowing how to read and interpret findings from a variety of sources is key. This can be very challenging if the data conflicts between sources or the data is unclear. Whether the data is from a mathematical model, a physical test laboratory, or from the field, learning how to synthesize the findings and balance the strengths/weaknesses of a given data source are key. At the end of the day, every project needs a way forward and it is the engineer's job to optimize a design to meet the objectives for the product.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Design Manager job market given the pandemic?
Patrick Atkinson: In the new normal, it seems that companies are looking for employees who are adaptable. Working remotely, amidst the home environment is different from the traditional office environment, but humans are elastic, and we find ways to carry on. Personally, I like the flexibility it provides and I am also up for a challenge. The pandemic has been a disruptor, but it is up to the optimist in all of us to look at this disruption as an opportunity to hit the refresh button. One key area that was unexpected to me was that the attendance for meetings has approached 100%. People are communicating more than ever. As such, employees who can listen and contribute in a constructive fashion are valuable members of the team. That doesn't mean that everyone in a team has to have the same skills, but it would be a good idea to have a few people in each group who work well in an online discussion.
Ronald Bucinell Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering, Fellow of the American Society of Mechanical EngineersUnion College
Department of Mechanical Engineering
What soft skills should all Design Managers possess?
Ronald Bucinell Ph.D.: To be a good designer you need to have a human center perspective. What I mean is that you need to understand problems beyond the technical specifications. Being a human-centered engineer requires breath in education, a strong liberal arts component to an engineer's education. Engineering professionals are constantly selling their ideas to clients, employers, and colleagues, written and oral communication are critical to a successful career as an engineer.
What certifications/licenses/courses can have the biggest impact for Design Managers?
Bruce Gale Ph.D.: Any engineering degree is a good one. Adding certifications related to software is a big plus. A systems certificate is important to large government contractors.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Design Manager job market given the pandemic?
Steven Fernandez: No sure, with respect to mechanical engineering there is so many variables as to what new trends ME grads can experience. One of the greatest challenges Mechanical Engineering students face is the broadness of the field of study they have chosen. Surprisingly, many ME grads find themselves at a bit of a loss as to what carrier path to choose when they finally get their degree. As a mechanical engineer you can be designing anything from a supersonic missile, to a food processing line, in multiple functions. Mechanical engineers can be project engineers, design engineers, operation engineers, or manufacturing engineers with all options in just one industrial field. Each industrial field is affected differently by the pandemic. Take Space X, Google, Amazon, and Raytheon which are all industries ME's work in. These company seem to be doing the same if not better during the pandemic. How about the bicycle industry? With more families at home looking for activities there is a backlog of bicycles as the manufacturers cannot keep up with the orders. Try and order a NordicTrack treadmill, or a concept-2 rowing machine and you will be put on a waiting list due to the shortage of supply. Mechanical engineers work in all these industries. On the flip side look at some industries tied to travel and vacation. Yes, Boeing took a hit because of their 737 planes being grounded, but also because of the massive decrease in flight travel. So, all that said, I would say the pandemic trend for now would follow the course as such; industries which are negatively affected due to the loss of public activities will continue to struggle or have slow growth, while other industries where the mass public has been redirected will flourish and grow.
What type of skills will young Design Managers need?
Matthew Barry Ph.D.: There are many skills young graduates will need when entering the workforce in the coming years. One of the most important is the use of software, particularly Computer Aided Design (CAD) software in any platform (SolidWorks, CATIA, Autodesk, etc.). CAD is ubiquitous in most engineering jobs and is used by most employees, from draftsmen and machinists to engineers. Students that can proficiently use CAD for constructing parts, models, to set up tooling (such as CAMWorks), construct PCBs, and to do basic analyses (such as Finite Element Analysis (FEA), vibrational analyses and the like) have a tremendous hiring advantage over students that lack these skills. Additionally, students that have experience and proficiency with FEA and/or Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) software are in high demand. Finally, in terms of software, students that are able to code (and it doesn't matter what language or software, whether its MATLAB, C, C++, Java, Python) are needed. Most companies develop their own in-house codes and routines to do basic, repetitive tasks, or to develop models that are used in design and analysis. Being able to code is a highly desirable skill. Lastly, students should have some skills and experiences when it comes to hands-on activities. Being a modern engineer requires being able to not only design and analyze something, but to be able to figure out the tooling, assembly, and repair of various components. Having hands-on experience, whether it is with electrical circuitry, machining physical parts, or printing and assembling prototypes, indicates high levels of spatial reasoning, and is a sought after skill by employers.
What general advice would you give to a Design Manager?
Abby Guido: We've all heard the buzz about networking, and there is so much buzz because it works. Make sure your LinkedIn profile is both up to date and active. Connect with all of your past professors, classmates, and anyone and everyone you meet in a professional setting. I often tell students to get into the habit of searching for any classroom guests, or guest lecturers, to connect, thank them for their time, and build their network. Share content. Write articles, or reshare those you find interesting.
Every job I have ever received in my career has been through someone else I know. I share this with students to help them see the value in relationships. I always remember the students that took the time to write a handwritten thank-you note. And I think of them when I get an email asking if I know any students are looking for work.
What general advice would you give to a Design Manager?
Chris Chapin: My advice to all students and graduates is to be entrepreneurial. I define entrepreneurship as a skill set that helps us bring great design solutions to life and into the lives of those who need them. It is part business, part implementation strategy, and can manifest as a new business, as social entrepreneurship, or as intrapreneurship. In either case, it broadens career options for graduates and empowers them with the confidence and skillsets to take control of their careers.
What type of skills will young Design Managers need?
Bennie F. Johnson: Our Design Futures research from 2018 covered this topic in some detail. Some highlights of needed skills include an understanding of business models, complex systems, and data. One of the seven Design Futures trends is "Bridging Physical and Digital Experiences," which has become even more important in a COVID world. Of course, mastering craft and specific tools remain important, especially for entry-level work, but so is a general ability to "learn how to learn," as the rate of technical change (and obsolescence) is only getting faster.
In May of 2020, AIGA conducted an industry pulse check survey around the impact of COVID-19 on the design community and found, not surprisingly, that adaptability skills continue to be the most critical for design professionals, and collaboration made the list of top five skills for the first time.