UX Designer Salary in California, United States
California offers mid-level UX designers a median salary of $87,000 a year. The figure reflects conditions in the Bay Area tech sector and Los Angeles media studios.
Salary by experience level
Entry-level (0-2 years)
Salary range (per year)
$63,000 to $78,000
Average (per year)
$70,000
Tech startups and healthcare firms are present in Aliso Viejo.
Mid-level (3-5 years)
Salary range (per year)
$78,000 to $96,000
Average (per year)
$87,000
Mid-level designers here build portfolios at SaaS companies and digital agencies, often working on consumer apps.
Senior (6-9 years)
Salary range (per year)
$97,000 to $117,000
Average (per year)
$106,500
Senior UX Designers manage projects for enterprise clients in the city's technology corridor.
Principal/Lead (10+ years)
Salary range (per year)
$119,000+
Principal-level roles support product vision at software firms or lead teams in large medtech organizations.
Hourly Rates
For freelance or contract work, hourly rates are typically higher than equivalent salaried positions.
Junior
$32 - $44
per hour
Mid-level
$44 - $62
per hour
Senior
$62 - $82
per hour
Nationally, mid-level UX designers earn around $78,000, so California's median sits roughly $9,000 higher. The data shows a premium.