Interaction Designer Salary in Costa Mesa, California

Costa Mesa hosts several creative agencies and software companies in Orange County. Tech and retail brands compete for experienced interaction designers, influencing salaries.

Salary by experience level

Entry-level (0-2 years)

Salary range (per year)

$70,000 to $90,000

Average (per year)

$80,000

Designers at this tier join marketing agencies, software startups, or e-commerce teams headquartered in Orange County.

Mid-level (3-5 years)

Salary range (per year)

$91,000 to $106,000

Average (per year)

$98,500

A mid‑level interaction designer crafts intuitive user flows while balancing stakeholder goals and technical constraints.

Senior (6-9 years)

Salary range (per year)

$108,000 to $124,000

Average (per year)

$116,000

Senior designers in Costa Mesa direct UX for large-scale software projects or manage creative teams for retail brands.

Principal/Lead (10+ years)

Salary range (per year)

$125,000+

Principal and lead roles typically have higher salaries.

Hourly Rates

For freelance or contract work, hourly rates are typically higher than equivalent salaried positions.

Junior

$36 - $50

per hour

Mid-level

$51 - $68

per hour

Senior

$69 - $90

per hour