Design Engineer Salary in Austin 2026
Austin, TX continues to hire experienced Design Engineers, especially for teams building customer-focused digital products. Salaries vary by seniority and company stage, but top performers can earn well above the local median. Design Engineers in Austin, TX often collaborate across research, product strategy, and design systems. Austin, TX teams often prioritize collaboration across product, engineering, and go-to-market partners.
Median pay for Design Engineer roles in Austin, TX tends to track the local cost of living while rewarding specialized skills. Experience with Figma, prototyping, and usability testing remains a core expectation. Local teams are prioritizing user-centered design to improve retention and reduce churn. Each listing includes role details, compensation ranges, and links to apply directly. Use the filters below to compare roles by seniority, work type, and compensation range.
Salary Distribution
Cost of Living Analysis
Austin has a cost of living index of 120, which can influence take-home value even when salaries appear higher. Consider housing, transportation, and tax differences when evaluating offers.
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| New York | $173,000 |
| San Francisco | $180,000 |
| Seattle | $166,000 |
| Boston | $160,000 |
| Los Angeles | $160,000 |