UX Designer Salary in Rancho Cucamonga, CA: $85,264 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time ux designer in Rancho Cucamonga, CA earns a median $85,264/year (≈ $41.00/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-1255). Once you factor in Rancho Cucamonga's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $75,388 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.4% above the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In the wake of widespread layoffs in the tech sector during 2023, the UX designer salary in Rancho Cucamonga, CA, has shown resilience with a projected median annual pay of $85,264 for 2026. This figure reflects a competitive range between $49,453 at the lower end and $132,159 at the upper tier, demonstrating both entry-level opportunities and high-paying roles. These estimates are derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for the local cost of living. The landscape for UX design jobs in Rancho Cucamonga is continuing to evolve, with companies adapting to the changing demands of the market while maintaining a robust demand for skilled designers.
About the Rancho Cucamonga Market
Salary estimated from California average ($142,900) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $49,453 | $23.78 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $61,995 | $29.80 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $85,264 | $41.00 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $109,138 | $52.47 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $132,159 | $63.54 |
Median Salary Position
2.33% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Rancho Cucamonga
In Rancho Cucamonga, CA, the ux designer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $82,706 (2026 est.). At $85,264, the local median is 2.33% above the national median of $83,320.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Rancho Cucamonga: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Rancho Cucamonga UX Designer Pay Compares
Rancho Cucamonga median: $85,264/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Rancho Cucamonga Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $84,087 | +1.40% more |
| National Average | $83,320 | +2.33% more |
UX Designers in Rancho Cucamonga, CA earn a median of $85,264 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.33% higher than the national median of $83,320 and 1.40% above the California state average of $84,087.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Rancho Cucamonga has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Rancho Cucamonga, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $85,264 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $75,388 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2021 BLS Actual
$61,316
2025 BLS Actual
$79,820
2026 Current Est.
$85,264
2021–2027 Growth
+48.5%
Salary Trajectory for UX Designers in Rancho Cucamonga (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $61,316 | Actual |
| 2022 | $63,887 | Actual |
| 2023 | $75,629 | Actual |
| 2024 | $163,830 | Actual |
| 2025 | $79,820 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $85,264 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $91,079 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Rancho Cucamonga metropolitan area, the median ux designer salary grew 30.2% from $61,316 (2021) to $79,820 (2025). At a 6.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $91,079 by 2027 — a total increase of $29,763 (48.54%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Rancho Cucamonga 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) | $49,453 – $61,995 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $61,995 – $85,264 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $85,264 – $109,138 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $109,138 – $132,159 |
UX salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual ux designer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
UX Designer Job Market in Rancho Cucamonga
With 46 UX designers currently employed in the Rancho Cucamonga area, the local job market showcases a diverse array of opportunities. The cost of living index stands at 113.1, implying that designers may need to capitalize on competitive pay to maintain their purchasing power. Among employers, top-paying opportunities are primarily found in tech companies, particularly those in the FAANG group, which often offer salaries boosted by stock options and equity. This pay disparity often arises due to factors such as company pedigree, design specialization, and the strength of a candidate's portfolio. For designers striving to maximize their pay in this region, focusing on developing expertise in design systems, having a solid portfolio featuring heavily-trafficked applications, and pursuing direct employment with high-paying tech firms can offer a distinct advantage. In this post-layoff environment, adaptability and specialization are key strategies for enhancing compensation prospects in Rancho Cucamonga.
More salary data for Rancho Cucamonga, 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 $79,820 for ux designersin the Rancho Cucamonga 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 Rancho Cucamonga 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