The Mission Behind the Data

Since 2021, the Service Design Salary(+) Report has served a single, vital purpose: to replace professional uncertainty with evidence.

Service Design is a dynamic, evolving field. Because roles often vary wildly between organizations—some sitting in IT, others in Marketing or Product—compensation has historically been a "black box." Professionals often struggle to benchmark their worth, and employers frequently lack the data to value the role accurately.

This report exists to close that gap. By promoting radical transparency, we aim to mature the industry, empowering service design professionals to advocate for themselves and helping leaders build sustainable, equitable teams.

Why "Salary(+)"?

You might notice the (+) in our title. This is intentional.

While financial compensation is the anchor of this report, we believe that true professional "wealth" is a holistic equation. A high salary in a toxic environment or a role that demands 60-hour workweeks does not yield the same satisfaction as a balanced role with a supportive culture.

Therefore, we look beyond the paycheck. We analyze:

Our goal is to give you the full picture, not just a number.

By the Community, For the Community

This report is mostly self-funded, relying on the generous support of the community to keep it independent.

This isn't data scraped from job boards. It is data generously shared by thousands of your peers—service design professionals from across the globe who believe that transparency benefits everyone.

Every chart, graph, and insight in this report is a reflection of that collective effort. Whether you are a junior designer landing your first gig, a freelancer setting your rates, or a Head of Design fighting for budget, this report belongs to you.