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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a UX Designer in California is $125,778 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $60.
However, a UX Designer's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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UX Designer Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $138,348 | $11,529 | $2,661 | $67 |
| Average | $125,778 | $10,482 | $2,419 | $60 |
| 25th Percentile | $117,695 | $9,808 | $2,263 | $57 |
Cypress HCM - Santa Clara, CA
HAUS - Los Angeles, CA
Spire Soft LLC - Fresno, CA
NEX - San Jose, CA
A UX Designer's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
Experience is a primary driver of a UX Designer's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here’s how the average salary grows at different career stages:
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| UI Design... Level UX Designer | $84,381 |
| UI Design... Level UX Designer | $97,104 |
| UX Design... Level UX Designer | $124,854 |
| UI Design... Level UX Designer | $151,082 |
| UI Design... Level UX Designer | $172,128 |
What Am I Worth?
Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract UX Designers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:
For UX Designer roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 55% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Pharmaceuticals and Energy & Utilities sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 30% above the average. In contrast, UX Designer positions in MFG Durable or MFG Nondurable typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view UX Designer as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pharmaceuticals | $163,512 | $79.0 | 30% |
| Energy & Utilities | $157,223 | $76.0 | 25% |
| Aerospace & Defense | $150,934 | $73.0 | 20% |
| Healthcare | $144,645 | $70.0 | 15% |
| Construction | $138,356 | $67.0 | 10% |
Understanding how a UX Designer's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $138,348 | $11,529 | $2,661 | $67 |
| Average | $125,778 | $10,482 | $2,419 | $60 |
| 25th Percentile | $117,695 | $9,808 | $2,263 | $57 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current UX Designer job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
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