Designer Salaries in United Kingdom

The average salary for a Designer is £39,567 per year in United Kingdom. Salaries estimates are based on 4620 salaries submitted anonymously to Glassdoor by a Designer employees in United Kingdom.

The highest salary for a Designer in United Kingdom is £54,506 per year.

The lowest salary for a Designer in United Kingdom is £29,738 per year.

Designers earn salaries similar to the pay of other creative professionals including graphic designers, animators, journalists, editors and illustrators. They are employed by firms across industries, as well as marketing agencies and consultancies. They can earn additional income by teaching as an adjunct at art schools or by taking on freelance projects. Interior designers working for top clients may be able to earn large commissions or salaries beyond usual pay.

To stand out as a designer, look for ways to showcase your expertise. Use your flair in design to build an attractive portfolio, whether or not it includes paid work. This alone may be enough to land you interesting roles, boost your status and act as a springboard to higher-paying positions. While a bachelor’s degree in design, fashion merchandising, or graphic design will give you a competitive edge, many entry-level positions will accept candidates with a foundation degree or technical background, together with on-the-job training.

Having certifications to your name is also highly valued in the design industry, and help you progress in your designer career. Interior designers should aim for the Chartered Society of Designers (CSD) or the British Institute of Interior Design (BIID) certifications. For those in the fashion industry, proficiency in computer-aided design (CAD) technologies, drawing skills, and art classes can provide a significant advantage.

The industry is highly competitive, so ensure you keep your skills and knowledge razor-sharp and stay on top of trends and opportunities in the industry.

The best way to negotiate a higher salary for a job as a designer is to know your worth. Search what designers make in your area and learn what the top companies pay individuals in these positions. Consider your level of experience and education and add these factors to your base pay. Build an attractive portfolio of your work to showcase how you stand out. During the negotiation process, be ready to ask what's being budgeted for the position. Provide evidence-based facts of your past accomplishments and experience and detail why you'd be an asset to a specific organisation. If pay is non-negotiable, try to negotiate added holiday, commissions, and bonuses.

About 63.86% of Designer professionals feel satisfied with their salary, according to anonymous Glassdoor ratings. An additional £2,980 in potential pay per year, among other factors, can qualify the annual pay of a Designer in United Kingdom as a good salary.

Designer professionals in United Kingdom have a wide total pay range, between £23,383 and £76,430 depending on experience, with an estimated total pay of £39,567 following the average career path of a Designer.