UX Designer Salary in Burbank, CA: $83,075 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time ux designer in Burbank, CA earns a median $83,075/year (≈ $39.94/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-1255). Once you factor in Burbank's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $73,453 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.2% below the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Burbank, California, the projected median annual UX designer salary in 2026 stands at $83,075, closely aligned with the national median of $83,320. The salary range spans from $48,183 at the 10th percentile to $128,766 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the variation in roles and experience levels within the field. These figures are derived from estimates based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional price parities. In this market, professionals often face a choice: those pursuing management roles can expect to see peak compensation in the higher echelons, while individual contributors may find salaries that still remain competitive but vary based on specialized skills and portfolio depth.
About the Burbank Market
Salary estimated from California average ($142,900) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $48,183 | $23.17 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $59,814 | $28.76 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $83,075 | $39.94 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $106,336 | $51.12 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $128,766 | $61.90 |
Median Salary Position
0.29% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Burbank
In Burbank, CA, the ux designer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $80,583 (2026 est.). At $83,075, the local median is 0.29% below the national median of $83,320.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Burbank: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Burbank UX Designer Pay Compares
Burbank median: $83,075/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Burbank Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $84,084 | -1.20% less |
| National Average | $83,320 | -0.29% less |
UX Designers in Burbank, CA earn a median of $83,075 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.29% lower than the national median of $83,320 and 1.20% below the California state average of $84,084.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Burbank has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Burbank, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $83,075 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $73,453 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2021 BLS Actual
$59,742
2025 BLS Actual
$77,771
2026 Current Est.
$83,075
2021–2027 Growth
+48.5%
Salary Trajectory for UX Designers in Burbank (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $59,742 | Actual |
| 2022 | $62,247 | Actual |
| 2023 | $73,688 | Actual |
| 2024 | $159,625 | Actual |
| 2025 | $77,771 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $83,075 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $88,741 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Burbank metropolitan area, the median ux designer salary grew 30.2% from $59,742 (2021) to $77,771 (2025). At a 6.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $88,741 by 2027 — a total increase of $28,999 (48.54%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Burbank 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) | $48,183 – $59,814 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $59,814 – $83,075 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $83,075 – $106,336 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $106,336 – $128,766 |
UX salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual ux designer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
UX Designer Job Market in Burbank
The Burbank UX design job market employs approximately 22 professionals, providing a tight-knit community for networking and collaboration. However, the cost of living reflects above-average metrics with a CoL index of 113.1, impacting real purchasing power. Among local employers, large tech companies like Adobe and Salesforce often offer higher salaries, particularly for designers skilled in Figma and design systems. In contrast, digital agencies and in-house teams may have different pay scales, typically lower than FAANG firms, but providing a broader set of project experiences. The divergence in salaries often arises from factors such as the prestige of the company, the complexity of the design tasks, portfolio strength, and potential equity compensation. To maximize earnings, UX designers in Burbank can focus on building robust portfolios, cultivating specialized skills, and considering various employment paths, from agency roles to consulting and freelance opportunities.
More salary data for Burbank, 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 $77,771 for ux designersin the Burbank 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 Burbank 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