UX Designer Salary in Santa Clarita, CA: $85,940 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time ux designer in Santa Clarita, CA earns a median $85,940/year (≈ $41.32/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-1255). Once you factor in Santa Clarita's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $75,986 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.2% above the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the anticipated average ux designer salary in Santa Clarita, CA, is projected to be around $85,940. This figure positions it slightly above the national median of $83,320, reflecting a local market that has successfully absorbed the disruptions from tech layoffs that affected the design sector in recent years. Salary ranges for designers in this area extend from approximately $49,845 at the lower end to a premium of $133,207 for those at the top of their game. These estimates leverage data derived from BLS state-level information and regional cost adjustments, indicating that the local market offers competitive compensation despite the fluctuations in the wider tech industry. With a total of 41 ux designers currently employed in the region, job opportunities appear to be stabilizing, contributing to a more robust outlook for design professionals.
About the Santa Clarita Market
Salary estimated from California average ($142,900) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $49,845 | $23.96 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $61,877 | $29.75 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $85,940 | $41.32 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $110,003 | $52.89 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $133,207 | $64.04 |
Median Salary Position
3.14% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Santa Clarita
In Santa Clarita, CA, the ux designer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $83,362 (2026 est.). At $85,940, the local median is 3.14% above the national median of $83,320.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Santa Clarita: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Santa Clarita UX Designer Pay Compares
Santa Clarita median: $85,940/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Santa Clarita Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $84,090 | +2.20% more |
| National Average | $83,320 | +3.14% more |
UX Designers in Santa Clarita, CA earn a median of $85,940 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.14% higher than the national median of $83,320 and 2.20% above the California state average of $84,090.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Santa Clarita has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Santa Clarita, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $85,940 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $75,986 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2021 BLS Actual
$61,802
2025 BLS Actual
$80,453
2026 Current Est.
$85,940
2021–2027 Growth
+48.5%
Salary Trajectory for UX Designers in Santa Clarita (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $61,802 | Actual |
| 2022 | $64,393 | Actual |
| 2023 | $76,229 | Actual |
| 2024 | $165,130 | Actual |
| 2025 | $80,453 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $85,940 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $91,801 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Santa Clarita metropolitan area, the median ux designer salary grew 30.2% from $61,802 (2021) to $80,453 (2025). At a 6.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $91,801 by 2027 — a total increase of $29,999 (48.54%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Santa Clarita 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) | $49,845 – $61,877 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $61,877 – $85,940 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $85,940 – $110,003 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $110,003 – $133,207 |
UX salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual ux designer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
UX Designer Job Market in Santa Clarita
Examining the local job market reveals that while the reported average salary may look appealing, the cost of living in Santa Clarita, reflected in a cost-of-living index of 113.1, should be considered when assessing take-home pay. Companies like FAANG, as well as digital product agencies, pay substantially more than their tier-2 counterparts, which means designers must strategically target high-performing employers for maximum compensation. The pay variance within the ux design specialty is influenced by several factors, including the prestige of the company, specific design expertise, such as in research or product design, and the strength of one's portfolio, particularly regarding well-trafficked applications. To capitalize on the best compensation in the Santa Clarita market, designers should focus on building a strong portfolio, aligning with top-tier companies, and potentially pursuing roles that include equity and RSU options, which significantly enhance financial prospects.
More salary data for Santa Clarita, 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 $80,453 for ux designersin the Santa Clarita 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 Santa Clarita 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