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The differences between lead designers and design managers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 6-12 months to become a lead designer, becoming a design manager takes usually requires More than 10 years. Additionally, a lead designer has an average salary of $110,001, which is higher than the $102,637 average annual salary of a design manager.
The top three skills for a lead designer include sketch, user experience and architecture. The most important skills for a design manager are sketch, project management, and visualization.
| Lead Designer | Design Manager | |
| Yearly salary | $110,001 | $102,637 |
| Hourly rate | $52.89 | $49.34 |
| Growth rate | 3% | 2% |
| Number of jobs | 45,423 | 61,273 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 64% | Bachelor's Degree, 62% |
| Average age | 38 | 48 |
| Years of experience | 12 | - |
A lead designer is responsible for addressing the clients' needs of digital content and coordinating with the design team for the planning and innovation of the visual design and concept. Lead designers conduct the initial layout of frameworks and collaborate with the art staff for the specifications and outputs using various software applications and digital boards. They regularly update the client of the project's status, including adjustment and design recommendations, ensuring that the plan meets the client's budget goals. A lead designer must have excellent communication and organizational skills, especially on running diagnostic tests to improve optimal performance.
A design manager is responsible for creating graphic and digital designs, following clients' specifications, and managing project deliverables efficiently. Design managers work closely with the marketing and public relations department, developing strategies to promote the brand to the target audience. They coordinate with the creative team and present the design ideas to the management, ask for final approval, perform revisions as needed, and follow the budget goals. A design manager must have excellent communication and leadership skills to handle the design team's concerns and needs.
Lead designers and design managers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Lead Designer | Design Manager | |
| Average salary | $110,001 | $102,637 |
| Salary range | Between $78,000 And $154,000 | Between $69,000 And $150,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | Airbnb | Meta |
| Best paying industry | Start-up | Technology |
There are a few differences between a lead designer and a design manager in terms of educational background:
| Lead Designer | Design Manager | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 64% | Bachelor's Degree, 62% |
| Most common major | Graphic Design | Graphic Design |
| Most common college | University of Pennsylvania | University of Michigan - Ann Arbor |
Here are the differences between lead designers' and design managers' demographics:
| Lead Designer | Design Manager | |
| Average age | 38 | 48 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 73.2% Female, 26.8% | Male, 63.8% Female, 36.2% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 3.4% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 10.6% Asian, 10.4% White, 70.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% | Black or African American, 3.1% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 8.8% Asian, 11.8% White, 71.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 13% | 9% |