UX Designer Salary

Fremont vs Los Angeles: UX Designer Salary (2026)

Compare ux designer salaries between Fremont, CA and Los Angeles, CA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Fremont, CA
$131,264
$63.11/hr
Los Angeles, CA
$85,363
$41.04/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricFremont, CALos Angeles, CA
Median Salary$131,264$85,363
Hourly Rate$63.11$41.04
Entry Level (P10)$76,133$46,547
25th Percentile$94,510$63,155
75th Percentile$168,017$134,994
Top Earner (P90)$203,459$161,288
Total Employed439,220
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Fremont ($131,264) and Los Angeles ($85,363) ux designer salaries.FremontLos AngelesMedian Salary$131,264$85,363Entry Level (P10)$76,133$46,547Top Earner (P90)$203,459$161,288US Median $83,320

Verdict

Fremont, CA offers better overall compensation for ux designers, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Los Angeles.

The salary gap between Fremont and Los Angeles is $45,901 (53.77%). Fremont's median is +57.54% compared to the US national median of $83,320.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Fremont spans $127,326,Los Angeles spans $114,741. Fremont has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Fremont
P10 (Entry)$76,133
P25$94,510
Median$131,264
P75$168,017
P90 (Top)$203,459
Los Angeles
P10 (Entry)$46,547
P25$63,155
Median$85,363
P75$134,994
P90 (Top)$161,288

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Fremont ($116,060 effective) pays 54.41% more than Los Angeles ($75,166 effective).

Fremont
Nominal: $131,264
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $116,060
Los Angeles
Nominal: $85,363
CoL Index: 113.566
Adjusted: $75,166

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Fremont if…

  • Higher median salary ($131,264/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($203,459)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $116,060)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Choose Los Angeles if…

  • Larger job market (9,220 employed)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, ux designer salaries in Fremont grew -26.2% from 2024 to 2025, compared to -8.8% growth in Los Angeles over the same period.

Fremont, CA

+-26.2%

$166,502 (2024) → $122,883 (2025)

Los Angeles, CA

+-8.8%

$87,630 (2021) → $79,913 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays ux designers more: Fremont or Los Angeles?

Fremont has a higher median ux designer salary at $131,264/year, compared to Los Angeles at $85,363/year — a difference of $45,901 (53.77%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Fremont and Los Angeles?

Fremont ux designers earn $63.11/hr while Los Angeles hygienists earn $41.04/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Fremont to Los Angeles as a ux designer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Fremont and Los Angeles. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Fremont = $116,060, Los Angeles = $75,166), job availability (43 vs 9,220 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level ux designers earn in Fremont vs Los Angeles?

Entry-level (10th percentile) ux designers earn $76,133 in Fremont and $46,547 in Los Angeles. The Fremont area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

MC

Written by Maria Chen, MDes

Content Lead

Maria has over 10 years of experience in user experience design. She specializes in usability testing and user research. Maria has worked with tech companies and startups.

Clinically reviewed by Ismail Khan, BA, UXDData verified by Aisha Patel, MS

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 6.82% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Maria Chen, MDes, a licensed ux designer with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov