UI/UX Designer Salary in San Francisco, California
UI/UX salaries in San Francisco are notable within the United States. High living costs and intense competition from global tech firms keep pay rates elevated. Stock options and bonuses supplement base salaries.
Salary by experience level
Entry-level (0-2 years)
Salary range (per year)
$85,000 to $112,000
Average (per year)
$98,500
Entry designers begin at high salaries and join unicorn startups or major tech firms.
Mid-level (3-5 years)
Salary range (per year)
$112,000 to $148,000
Average (per year)
$130,000
Mid-level staff work on complex web and mobile products for local giants like Salesforce, Airbnb, and Stripe.
Senior (6-9 years)
Salary range (per year)
$148,000 to $185,000
Average (per year)
$166,500
Senior designers manage large teams or lead UX for global platforms and negotiate equity packages.
Principal/Lead (10+ years)
Salary range (per year)
$185,000+
Principal and lead designers guide design across multiple product lines and earn competitive salaries.
Hourly Rates
For freelance or contract work, hourly rates are typically higher than equivalent salaried positions.
Junior
$45 - $68
per hour
Mid-level
$68 - $105
per hour
Senior
$105 - $160
per hour