UI/UX Designer Salary in Santa Cruz, California
Most UI/UX jobs in Santa Cruz are in education, research, or tourism technology. Housing costs are high and the tech startup scene is small.
Salary by experience level
Entry-level (0-2 years)
Salary range (per year)
$70,000 to $88,000
Average (per year)
$79,000
Graduates and junior designers earn lower wages, especially with education or nonprofit employers.
Mid-level (3-5 years)
Salary range (per year)
$88,000 to $110,000
Average (per year)
$99,000
UI/UX designers in this range support research and front-end teams for local tech startups or UCSC-related projects.
Senior (6-9 years)
Salary range (per year)
$110,000 to $132,000
Average (per year)
$121,000
With advanced skills, professionals work remotely for Bay Area or Silicon Valley companies while living locally.
Principal/Lead (10+ years)
Salary range (per year)
$132,000+
Leads and design directors in Santa Cruz work on product initiatives and negotiate compensation for remote or hybrid arrangements.
Hourly Rates
For freelance or contract work, hourly rates are typically higher than equivalent salaried positions.
Junior
$35 - $48
per hour
Mid-level
$48 - $70
per hour
Senior
$70 - $95
per hour