11 of the Best Types of Designer Jobs in 2026

Discover some great types of Designer jobs that are hiring now.

High Paying Designer Jobs

• Virtual Designer

  Salary range: $85,000 - $175,000

  A virtual job refers to a job that can be performed outside of an employer’s office. Also known as remote, work from home, or telecommuting jobs, these positions have become increasingly common because of technology like telephones, internet, email, and video conference calls, which help to facilitate employer-employee communication.

• Designer Director

  Salary range: $109,500 - $163,000

  A director is a low-level executive in a company or organization that is responsible for a particular project, region, or division. A director of a company is employed to manage the day-to-day business activities of a group or division within an organization. There are different types of directors, but they are all tasked with leading others and meeting the goals of the organization. Directors plan, execute and manage to reach a goal. For example, the sales director would oversee the sales for a particular product or area. An HR director would be tasked with screening applicants and hiring the right candidates, making sure to comply with all employment laws and settling any personnel issues.

• Freelance Designer

  Salary range: $50,500 - $128,500

  A freelance designer must have a knack for making things look good. You not only need the technical skills to create a product, like coding or Photoshop, but also a keen eye for color and aesthetics. A college program in design can help build these qualifications, but a degree is not necessary for freelance work. A portfolio is significantly more important than formal education, as clients care more about what you have done than what you know. New clients want to see examples of your previous work to ensure you are a good fit. Additional qualifications to excel in this career are strong business, communication, and time management skills. Typical job duties include communicating with clients, completing projects promptly, and marketing yourself to find new clients.

• Designer Manager

  Salary range: $116,500 - $116,500

  Managers supervise a team of people; they establish goals, assign tasks, and measure progress. The specific responsibilities of someone in a management position will vary based on the company and industry they work in, but their primary responsibilities remain largely the same. Managers monitor the accomplishments of their staff, focusing on the overall goals of the department. They work with Human Resources to determine and address staffing needs, coordinate and delegate responsibilities, check employee performance, and provide additional training and direction when necessary.

• Senior Designer

  Salary range: $102,000 - $109,000

  The qualifications needed for a career as a senior designer include a bachelor’s degree in graphic design or a related art field. If you have a degree in another creative field, you may also find a technical training program at a university or community college that meets most company’s hiring qualifications. You should build up a portfolio in school to demonstrate your skills. Begin earning the required five years of on-the-job experience in the field through internships to reach a senior-level position faster. Certification in design software may also help demonstrate competence.

• Temporary Designer

  Salary range: $42,500 - $85,000

  A Temporary job is an employment arrangement in which both parties, the employee and employer, agree in advance that the position will be filled for a set period. Temporary jobs often are based on employers’ seasonal or specific project needs. Occasionally, Temporary employees will be offered ongoing, full-time positions if their performance is excellent and a position is available. However, you should not assume this will be the case.

• Entry Level Designer

  Salary range: $45,500 - $65,500

  The specific qualifications to become an entry-level designer vary by industry. Fashion roles, for example, typically require an associate or bachelor’s degree in fashion design or a closely related subject. Product or manufacturing designers usually have a bachelor’s degree in engineering or a closely related subject while software designers have degrees in computer science or computer architecture. Regardless of your industry, you should have strong creative and analytical design skills, good interpersonal communication, and the ability to work as part of a large team.

• Junior Designer

  Salary range: $45,500 - $65,500

  To pursue a career as a junior designer, you typically need a bachelor’s degree in graphic design or a related field. You should also begin to develop a strong portfolio of your designs through freelance work done for another company or independent samples that you created. Although coursework in graphic design can open the door to job opportunities, your creative ability and design experience offer the most competitive advantage. Additional qualifications include strong communication and problem-solving skills, as well as the ability to take art direction and work as part of a team.

• Executive Designer

  Salary range: $40,000 - $57,000

  The different types of executive jobs include upper- and senior-level management as well as the C-suite—the highest levels of senior management. The C-suite executives have the word “chief” at the beginning of their titles: Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Chief Operating Officer (COO), and Chief Financial Officer (CFO) are the most common. Companies with a heavy reliance on information technology may also have a Chief Information Security Officer (CISO). Other executive jobs include vice president and director of various departments.

• Apprentice Designer

  Salary range: $36,000 - $50,000

  Apprentice Designer is a more unusual job search query but still may give you interesting job results. Most salaries for Apprentice Designer jobs pay between $36,000 (25th percentile) and $50,000 (75th percentile) annually. Currently, there are not many open positions nationwide for Apprentice Designer job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter. You can take a look at what is available and find similar job searches in this list.

• Designer Internship

  Salary range: $30,000 - $40,000

  An Internship is a position within your desired field that pays little or no money but offers you the opportunity to gain real-world experience. This may set you apart for your future job search. Generally, Internships are almost expected by employers on an entry-level candidate’s resume. You are much more of an asset to an employer if you have some work experience.