UX Designer Salary in Huntington Beach, CA: $84,407 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time ux designer in Huntington Beach, CA earns a median $84,407/year (≈ $40.58/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-1255). Once you factor in Huntington Beach's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $74,630 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.3% above the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the compensation for UX designers in Huntington Beach, California, averages around $84,407, positioning the city's salaries slightly above the national median of $83,320. With a salary range that spans from $48,956 at the 10th percentile to $130,831 at the 90th, this market reflects a competitive environment where experienced designers can secure higher pay, especially in management roles. Local estimates are informed by 2025 BLS OEWS data and adjusted for regional cost-of-living factors, which in Huntington Beach is notable but slightly above the national average, contributing to a robust job market for design professionals. As many designers weigh the trade-offs between specializing in UX research or product design, the potential for earning can peak significantly depending on the chosen career trajectory.
About the Huntington Beach Market
Salary estimated from California average ($142,900) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $48,956 | $23.53 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $60,773 | $29.22 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $84,407 | $40.58 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $108,041 | $51.95 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $130,831 | $62.90 |
Median Salary Position
1.30% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Huntington Beach
In Huntington Beach, CA, the ux designer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $81,875 (2026 est.). At $84,407, the local median is 1.3% above the national median of $83,320.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Huntington Beach: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Huntington Beach UX Designer Pay Compares
Huntington Beach median: $84,407/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Huntington Beach Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $84,155 | +0.30% more |
| National Average | $83,320 | +1.30% more |
UX Designers in Huntington Beach, CA earn a median of $84,407 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.30% higher than the national median of $83,320 and 0.30% above the California state average of $84,155.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Huntington Beach has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Huntington Beach, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $84,407 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $74,630 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2021 BLS Actual
$60,700
2025 BLS Actual
$79,018
2026 Current Est.
$84,407
2021–2027 Growth
+48.5%
Salary Trajectory for UX Designers in Huntington Beach (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $60,700 | Actual |
| 2022 | $63,245 | Actual |
| 2023 | $74,870 | Actual |
| 2024 | $162,185 | Actual |
| 2025 | $79,018 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $84,407 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $90,164 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Huntington Beach metropolitan area, the median ux designer salary grew 30.2% from $60,700 (2021) to $79,018 (2025). At a 6.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $90,164 by 2027 — a total increase of $29,464 (48.54%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Huntington Beach metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 6.82% CAGR derived from 5-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $48,956 – $60,773 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $60,773 – $84,407 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $84,407 – $108,041 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $108,041 – $130,831 |
UX salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual ux designer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
UX Designer Job Market in Huntington Beach
In this coastal city, the job market currently supports about 50 UX designers. While the median pay is appealing, the cost of living index of 113.1 indicates that housing and everyday expenses are higher than the national average. These dynamics mean that effective negotiation can be crucial for maximizing take-home pay. Prominent employers include both tech titans and digital product agencies, which often offer the highest salaries. Companies in the FAANG tier, for instance, frequently provide lucrative packages that may include stock options, favoring those in management tracks or with strong portfolios showcasing high-traffic applications. Designers should concentrate on building a diverse portfolio in Figma, demonstrating expertise across various design specialties, and considering opportunities with agencies or startups if they seek project variety. Ultimately, irrespective of the path chosen, understanding the local market can lead to better compensation outcomes.
More salary data for Huntington Beach, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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.
Methodology & Data Source
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $79,018 for ux designersin the Huntington Beach metropolitan area. A 6.82% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Huntington Beach is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.82%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for ux designers (SOC 15-1255).
Compiled and verified by Maria Chen, MDes, a licensed ux designer with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov