UX Designer Salary in South San Francisco, California

South San Francisco is located in the biotech corridor just south of San Francisco. Salaries are affected by pharmaceutical and tech investment. High housing and commuting costs are a factor in compensation decisions.

Salary by experience level

Entry-level (0-2 years)

Salary range (per year)

$81,000 to $96,000

Average (per year)

$88,500

Graduates hired by biotech companies or Bay Area tech offices start with salaries that vary by employer.

Mid-level (3-5 years)

Salary range (per year)

$96,000 to $123,000

Average (per year)

$109,500

Mid-level UX designers in South San Francisco work for pharmaceutical, healthtech, and software companies.

Senior (6-9 years)

Salary range (per year)

$123,000 to $145,000

Average (per year)

$134,000

Senior roles demand advanced skills, with many designers leading teams for large biotech, transportation, or cloud infrastructure firms.

Principal/Lead (10+ years)

Salary range (per year)

$145,000+

Principal and lead designers at tech or life sciences companies receive compensation that may include salary, equity, and bonuses.

Hourly Rates

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

Junior

$50 - $70

per hour

Mid-level

$70 - $110

per hour

Senior

$110 - $170

per hour