SOC 3429 Culture, media and sports occupations

Design occupations n.e.c. Salary

Median salary £37,017 per year (2025). Based on ONS ASHE data.

Gross pay, before deductions. See take-home pay on £37,000 after tax and National Insurance →

For design occupations n.e.c., £39,779 is the typical (median) pay. That is around the UK full-time median of £39,039 — +2.0% versus the national average.

About this role

Design occupations not elsewhere classified include specialist design roles such as exhibition designers, set designers, signage designers, packaging designers, UX designers and other creative design professionals not covered by specific codes.

Key responsibilities

Developing design solutions for specific briefs and contexts
Creating concepts, prototypes and technical specifications
Collaborating with clients, manufacturers and technical teams
Producing designs using relevant software and tools
Managing design projects from brief to delivery

Qualifications and entry routes

Typically requires a degree in a relevant design discipline. Professional body memberships (CSD, D&AD) are recognised. Portfolio demonstrating relevant work is essential.

Career outlook

UX/UI and digital product design are in high demand. Exhibition and experiential design offer specialist niches. Sustainability in design is a growing focus.

Key skills

Creative problem-solving Design software proficiency Project management Technical specification Client communication

Common industries

Design consultancies
Exhibition and museum design
Theatre and set design
Packaging design
Digital product design

Data coverage

SOC code 3429

Data source ONS ASHE

Years available 2021–2025

Estimated jobs 23,000

Median Salary

£37,017

Mean Salary

£41,839

Jobs (000s)

23k

Data Years

5 years

Salary Range (2025)

P25: £30,449Median: £37,017

P10: £22kP25: £30kMedian: £37kP75: --P90: --

Estimated Career Progression

Based on salary percentile distribution for this occupation

Entry Level

£22,062

0-2 years

Mid Level

£30,449

3-7 years

Salary Trend (2021-2025)

Adjust for inflation

Nominal growth: +32.4%Real growth: +7.1%

Gender Pay Comparison (2025)

Gender pay gap: 17.6%

Full-time vs All Employees (2025)

All Employees

£37,017

Full-time Only

£39,779

Full-time premium: +£2,762

Design occupations n.e.c. salary: common questions

How much do design occupations n.e.c. earn in the UK?

Design occupations n.e.c. earn a median of £39,779 a year (ONS ASHE 2025).

Is £39,779 a good salary in the UK?

For design occupations n.e.c., £39,779 is the typical (median) pay. That is around the UK full-time median of £39,039 — +2.0% versus the national average.

What is the starting salary for design occupations n.e.c.?

Entry-level design occupations n.e.c. typically start near the lower end of the range. The bottom 25% earn up to £30,449, and the lowest-paid 10% earn under £22,062.

Have design occupations n.e.c. salaries kept up with inflation?

Since 2021, median design occupations n.e.c. pay has risen from £28,886 to £39,779 — +38% in cash terms, or +11% after CPIH inflation. That is ahead of inflation over the period.

Is there a gender pay gap for design occupations n.e.c.?

Male design occupations n.e.c. earn a median £40,543 and female design occupations n.e.c. £33,394 — a gap of +18% in 2025.

Figures: ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings, gross annual pay. UK full-time median £39,039 (2025).