UX Designer Salary

Los Angeles vs Tracy: UX Designer Salary (2026)

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

Los Angeles, CA
$85,363
$41.04/hr
Tracy, CA
$81,716
$39.29/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricLos Angeles, CATracy, CA
Median Salary$85,363$81,716
Hourly Rate$41.04$39.29
Entry Level (P10)$46,547$47,395
25th Percentile$63,155$58,835
75th Percentile$134,994$104,597
Top Earner (P90)$161,288$126,660
Total Employed9,22014
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Los Angeles ($85,363) and Tracy ($81,716) ux designer salaries.Los AngelesTracyMedian Salary$85,363$81,716Entry Level (P10)$46,547$47,395Top Earner (P90)$161,288$126,660US Median $83,320

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Los Angeles and Tracy is $3,647 (4.46%). Los Angeles's median is +2.45% compared to the US national median of $83,320.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Los Angeles spans $114,741,Tracy spans $79,265. Los Angeles has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Los Angeles
P10 (Entry)$46,547
P25$63,155
Median$85,363
P75$134,994
P90 (Top)$161,288
Tracy
P10 (Entry)$47,395
P25$58,835
Median$81,716
P75$104,597
P90 (Top)$126,660

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Los Angeles ($75,166 effective) pays 4.03% more than Tracy ($72,251 effective).

Los Angeles
Nominal: $85,363
CoL Index: 113.566
Adjusted: $75,166
Tracy
Nominal: $81,716
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $72,251

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Los Angeles if…

  • Higher median salary ($85,363/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($161,288)
  • Larger job market (9,220 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $75,166)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Choose Tracy if…

  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, ux designer salaries in Los Angeles grew -8.8% from 2021 to 2025, compared to -51.3% growth in Tracy over the same period.

Los Angeles, CA

+-8.8%

$87,630 (2021) → $79,913 (2025)

Tracy, CA

+-51.3%

$157,015 (2024) → $76,499 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Los Angeles has a higher median ux designer salary at $85,363/year, compared to Tracy at $81,716/year — a difference of $3,647 (4.46%).

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

Los Angeles ux designers earn $41.04/hr while Tracy hygienists earn $39.29/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Los Angeles and Tracy. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Los Angeles = $75,166, Tracy = $72,251), job availability (9,220 vs 14 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) ux designers earn $46,547 in Los Angeles and $47,395 in Tracy. The Tracy 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