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2026 Salary Data — Los Angeles, CA
Updated April 28, 2026

UX Designer Salary in Los Angeles: $125K Median

UX Designers in Los Angeles, CA earn between $90K and $211K per year.

That's +28% above the US national median of $98,000 for this role.

Quick Answer

As of April 2026, the median UX Designer salary in Los Angeles, CA is $125,440 per year — +28% above the US national median of $98,000. Salaries range from $89,600 (entry, 25th percentile) to $211,200 (90th percentile). UX Designers in Los Angeles earned approximately $28,509 in 2025, representing 340.0% year-over-year growth.

Median
$125,440
+340.0% YoY · $10,453/mo
Entry
$96,000
0–2 years
Experienced
$179,200
5+ years
Top 10%
$211,200
Senior/lead
UX Designer Salary — Los Angeles vs Nearby
Los Angeles
$125K
San Diego
$116K
+8% vs Los Angeles
San Francisco
$152K
-17% vs Los Angeles
Fresno
$93K
+35% vs Los Angeles

Free ATS scan · Los Angeles employers · Results in 60 seconds

About UX Designers in Los Angeles

UX designers create intuitive user experiences through research, wireframing, prototyping, and iterative testing.

Core Responsibilities

  • User research
  • Wireframing and prototyping
  • Usability testing
  • Design systems
  • Cross-functional collaboration

Education & Certifications

Typical path: Bachelor's degree (or strong portfolio)

In-demand certifications

Google UX DesignNielsen Norman GroupInteraction Design Foundation

Los Angeles Job Market

Entertainment capital with growing tech sector ("Silicon Beach") and major aerospace industry.

Population
3979K
Cost of Living
173
vs 100 US avg
Unemployment
5.1%
Median Home
$950K

Top Industries in Los Angeles

EntertainmentAerospaceTechHealthcareTourism

Top Employers Hiring UX Designers

Major employers active in Los Angeles or hiring remotely from this metro.

Google
Apple
Meta
Airbnb
Spotify
Netflix
Adobe
Figma

All major employers use ATS software.

Workday, Greenhouse, Taleo, and iCIMS auto-screen 75% of resumes before a human ever sees them. Scan your resume free to see your match rate.

2026 Hot Skills & Resume Keywords

Skills that command salary premiums and pass ATS keyword filters.

Hottest 2026 Skills

These appear in the highest-paying UX Designer listings.

FigmaAI-assisted designDesign systemsUser researchAccessibility

ATS Resume Keywords

Include these naturally throughout your resume.

Figmauser researchwireframingprototypingusability testingdesign systemsaccessibilityA/B testing
Career Outlook
+8% Growth Projected (2024-2034)

UX roles growing 8% with strong demand at SaaS and enterprise companies. Senior/staff UX designers earning $200K+.

UX Designer Salary Breakdown — Los Angeles

PeriodEntry (25th)Median (50th)Top (90th)
Annual$89,600$125,440$211,200
Monthly$7,467$10,453$17,600
Weekly$1,723$2,412$4,062
Hourly$43$60$102

Based on 2080 working hours/year. Local figures derived from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics national median ($98,000) adjusted for Los Angeles's cost-of-living multiplier (1.28×, sourced from BEA Regional Price Parities).

UX Designer Take-Home Pay in Los Angeles

After federal, state and FICA taxes — single filer, standard deduction.

Net Annual Take-Home
$89,496.04
Per month$7,458
Biweekly paycheck$3,442
Effective tax rate28.7%

Tax Breakdown on $125,440

Gross salary$125,440
Federal income tax−$19,448.6
California state tax−$6,899.2
FICA (Social Security + Medicare)−$9,596.16
Take-home (net)$89,496.04

Estimates assume single filer, standard deduction ($14,600 for 2026), no 401(k)/HSA/dependents. Actual take-home varies with deductions, dependents, and benefits elections. Not tax advice.

UX Designer Salary by Experience — Los Angeles

Career-stage progression for UX Designers in Los Angeles.

ExperienceAnnual Salary
0–1 yr$88,320
2–3 yr$96,000
4–6 yr$137,600
7–10 yr$179,200
11–15 yr$211,456
15+ yr$195,200

Curve derived from BLS percentile data adjusted for Los Angeles's 1.28× cost-of-living multiplier. Highlighted row = 7–10 year experienced level.

Year-Over-Year Trend

+340.0% vs 2025

2025 median:$28,509
2026 median:$125,440
Change:+$96,931

Design sector growth driven by demand for Figma and AI-assisted design.

Is This A Good Salary?

Livable middle-class

Cost-adjusted, this is a workable middle-class salary. Budgeting matters - dual-income households fare materially better, and saving for a down payment will take discipline.

COL-Adjusted Purchasing Power
$72,509
Difficult on the median - the nominal salary masks how little real purchasing power remains after rent, taxes, and basic costs.

How to Negotiate Your UX Designer Salary in Los Angeles

Walk-away anchor: $112,000 (offers below this are below market for Los Angeles).

Leverage Points

  • Portfolio impact: ship metrics, before/after redesigns, A/B test wins
  • Design-systems leadership and tokens / Figma library ownership
  • Tech-adjacent skills (Figma plugins, code, AI tooling) raise compensation
  • Senior/staff/principal design ladders mirror engineering pay - cite them

Beyond Base Salary, Negotiate

RSU / equity grant aligned with engineering ladderAnnual hardware refresh (Mac, monitor, iPad)Software / Figma / Adobe license budgetConference budget (Config, FITC) and learning stipendRemote-first flexibility

What To Say

"Senior product designers at peer SaaS companies are at $X plus equity. I'd like base in that range plus an RSU grant aligned with engineering at the same level."

Anchor on $179K–$211K for experienced roles, citing Los Angeles market data and your specific Figma/AI-assisted design expertise.

UX Designer Salary FAQ — Los Angeles

What is the average UX Designer salary in Los Angeles, CA?
The average UX Designer salary in Los Angeles is $125,440 per year as of April 2026 — $10,453/month, $2,412/week, or about $60/hour. Salaries range from $89,600 (entry, 25th percentile) up to $211,200 (experienced, 90th percentile). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics adjusted for Los Angeles's cost-of-living multiplier (1.28×).
Is $125,440 a good UX Designer salary in Los Angeles?
Livable middle-class. Cost-adjusted, this is a workable middle-class salary. Budgeting matters - dual-income households fare materially better, and saving for a down payment will take discipline. Los Angeles's cost-of-living index is 173 (vs 100 nationally), giving $125,440 a real purchasing power of approximately $72,509 in national terms. Difficult on the median - the nominal salary masks how little real purchasing power remains after rent, taxes, and basic costs.
Can you live on $125,440 in Los Angeles?
Median pay is below HUD's low-income threshold for a family of four in some of these metros (notably San Francisco, where $104K qualifies as 'low income'). Raising a family on the median typically requires two earners, a long commute, or family help with housing. Spending 30% on rent is impossible at the median in this market - most workers spend 40-50% or take roommates well into their 30s. HUD classifies anything over 30% as 'cost-burdened' here. For Los Angeles specifically (median home price $950,000), a $125,440 salary supports a comfortable lifestyle.
Is $125,440 enough for a single person in Los Angeles?
A single adult in Los Angeles typically needs ~$77,850 for a comfortable lifestyle (housing, food, transport, healthcare, modest savings). A $125,440 salary is well above that threshold — a single person can live comfortably with significant savings room.
Is $125,440 enough for a couple in Los Angeles?
A couple (one earner) in Los Angeles typically needs ~$124,560 for a comfortable lifestyle. A $125,440 salary as the sole household income is sufficient — enabling moderate housing, savings, and discretionary spending. Two earners at $125,440 each ($250,880 household) provides solid middle-class comfort.
Is $125,440 enough for a family of 4 in Los Angeles?
A family of 4 (one earner) in Los Angeles typically needs ~$190,300 for a comfortable middle-class lifestyle (housing for 4, childcare/school, food, healthcare, transport, savings). A $125,440 salary as the sole household income is below the comfortable threshold — most families need a second income or to live in cheaper suburbs/exurbs of Los Angeles. Childcare costs in Los Angeles typically run $26K-$48K per child per year.
What is the take-home pay for a UX Designer in Los Angeles?
On a $125,440 UX Designer salary in Los Angeles, CA, you take home approximately $89,496.04 per year ($7,458/month, $3,442 per biweekly paycheck) after taxes. Breakdown: federal $19,448.6, state $6,899.2, FICA $9,596.16. Effective tax rate: 28.7%. (Single filer, standard deduction, no other adjustments.)
How much do UX Designers in Los Angeles earn compared to the US average?
UX Designers in Los Angeles earn approximately 28% more than the US national median for this role ($98,000 nationally vs $125,440 in Los Angeles). However, Los Angeles's cost-of-living index of 173 means real purchasing power is approximately $72,509 when adjusted for local prices.
What does an entry-level UX Designer earn in Los Angeles?
Entry-level UX Designers in Los Angeles typically start at around $96,000 (0–2 years experience). With 5+ years, UX Designers earn $179,200 or more. Top earners (90th percentile) reach $211,200+, typically at senior or lead levels with specialized skills.
Did UX Designer salaries in Los Angeles increase in 2026?
Yes — UX Designer salaries in Los Angeles grew approximately 340.0% year-over-year, from $28,509 in 2025 to $125,440 in 2026 (+$96,931). This reflects the broader Design sector's compensation trend, driven by Figma and AI-assisted design demand.
What's the job outlook for UX Designers in Los Angeles?
UX roles growing 8% with strong demand at SaaS and enterprise companies. Senior/staff UX designers earning $200K+. Los Angeles's top industries include Entertainment, Aerospace, Tech, and the metro's current unemployment rate is 5.1% — steady demand for skilled workers.
What skills are most in demand for UX Designers in 2026?
The hottest 2026 skills for UX Designers are: Figma, AI-assisted design, Design systems, User research, Accessibility. ATS systems specifically scan for these keywords. Adding them to your resume — naturally and in context — significantly improves your match rate with employers in Los Angeles.
Who are the top employers hiring UX Designers in Los Angeles?
Top employers hiring UX Designers in or near Los Angeles include: Google, Apple, Meta, Airbnb, Spotify, Netflix. Most use ATS software (Workday, Greenhouse, Taleo, iCIMS) to screen resumes — meaning your resume must be ATS-optimized to even get a human reader.
How do I negotiate a higher UX Designer salary in Los Angeles?
Senior product designers at peer SaaS companies are at $X plus equity. I'd like base in that range plus an RSU grant aligned with engineering at the same level. Key leverage points for Design negotiations: Portfolio impact: ship metrics, before/after redesigns, A/B test wins; Design-systems leadership and tokens / Figma library ownership; Tech-adjacent skills (Figma plugins, code, AI tooling) raise compensation. Beyond base salary, negotiate for: RSU / equity grant aligned with engineering ladder, Annual hardware refresh (Mac, monitor, iPad), Software / Figma / Adobe license budget, Conference budget (Config, FITC) and learning stipend.
How can I increase my UX Designer salary in Los Angeles?
Three highest-leverage moves: (1) Add 2026's hot skills (Figma, AI-assisted design, Design systems) — they command 15-30% premiums. (2) Get a recognized certification (e.g., Google UX Design or Nielsen Norman Group). (3) Tailor your resume to each role's keywords — CVCraft's ATS scanner shows you exactly what's missing.
What education do I need to become a UX Designer in Los Angeles?
Bachelor's degree (or strong portfolio) is the typical path. However, Los Angeles's competitive market increasingly values demonstrable skills, portfolios, and certifications alongside (or in place of) traditional degrees — particularly for Design roles.

Methodology & Sources

UX Designer salary figures for Los Angeles are computed by adjusting the BLS national median ($98,000) by Los Angeles's cost-of-living multiplier of 1.28× — a composite of regional wage data and price parities. Year-over-year change (340.0%) reflects the Design sector's 2025-2026 wage growth per BLS Employment Cost Index trends. Last reviewed April 28, 2026.

Data Sources

Related Roles in Los Angeles

Product Manager →Graphic Designer →

UX Designer Salary in Other Cities

San Diego, CA$116KSan Francisco, CA$152KSeattle, WA$129KWashington, DC$127KBoston, MA$127KFresno, CA$93KSacramento, CA$106KLong Beach, CA$118K

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