UX Designer Salary in Lakewood, CA: $81,977 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time ux designer in Lakewood, CA earns a median $81,977/year (≈ $39.42/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-1255). Once you factor in Lakewood's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $72,482 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.5% below the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, UX designers in Lakewood, California, can expect to earn a median annual salary of $81,977, slightly below the national median of $83,320. The salary range in this city varies significantly, from $47,547 at the 10th percentile to as high as $127,065 at the 90th percentile. These figures reflect local estimates based on data from the 2025 BLS and adjusted for regional price differences. Lakewood's market offers a range of opportunities across different types of employers, from FAANG firms with their competitive pay and stock options to smaller agencies and in-house design teams. The choice between these types of employers can significantly influence salary outcomes and job satisfaction in this field.
About the Lakewood Market
Salary estimated from California average ($142,900) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $47,547 | $22.86 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $59,023 | $28.37 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $81,977 | $39.42 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $104,930 | $50.45 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $127,065 | $61.09 |
Median Salary Position
1.61% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lakewood
In Lakewood, CA, the ux designer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $79,518 (2026 est.). At $81,977, the local median is 1.61% below the national median of $83,320.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Lakewood: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Lakewood UX Designer Pay Compares
Lakewood median: $81,977/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Lakewood Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $84,079 | -2.50% less |
| National Average | $83,320 | -1.61% less |
UX Designers in Lakewood, CA earn a median of $81,977 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.61% lower than the national median of $83,320 and 2.50% below the California state average of $84,079.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Lakewood has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Lakewood, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $81,977 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $72,482 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2021 BLS Actual
$58,952
2025 BLS Actual
$76,743
2026 Current Est.
$81,977
2021–2027 Growth
+48.5%
Salary Trajectory for UX Designers in Lakewood (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $58,952 | Actual |
| 2022 | $61,424 | Actual |
| 2023 | $72,714 | Actual |
| 2024 | $157,514 | Actual |
| 2025 | $76,743 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $81,977 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $87,568 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Lakewood metropolitan area, the median ux designer salary grew 30.2% from $58,952 (2021) to $76,743 (2025). At a 6.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $87,568 by 2027 — a total increase of $28,616 (48.54%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lakewood 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) | $47,547 – $59,023 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $59,023 – $81,977 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $81,977 – $104,930 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $104,930 – $127,065 |
UX salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual ux designer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
UX Designer Job Market in Lakewood
At present, Lakewood employs 19 UX designers, indicating a relatively small but stable local job market. With a cost-of-living index of 113.1, the purchasing power for designers is slightly less favorable than the national average, which can impact overall job satisfaction. Larger tech companies typically provide the highest pay, often surpassing UX design salaries in agencies or consulting firms. Factors influencing the difference in compensation include company tier, design specialty, and portfolio strength, with portfolio visibility enhancing pay potential. For those seeking to maximize their earnings within this market, developing expertise in design systems and securing a strong portfolio of impactful projects are strategic moves. Understanding the nuances of employer expectations between tech giants and smaller firms can further refine salary negotiations in Lakewood's evolving job market.
More salary data for Lakewood, 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 $76,743 for ux designersin the Lakewood 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 Lakewood 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