UX Designer Salary in Daly City, CA: $86,331 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time ux designer in Daly City, CA earns a median $86,331/year (≈ $41.51/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-1255). Once you factor in Daly City's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $76,332 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.6% above the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
The projected median annual salary for a UX designer in Daly City, California, is $86,331 in 2026, reflecting a competitive local market compared to the national median of $83,320. Salaries for UX designers here range significantly from $50,072 at the 10th percentile to $133,812 at the 90th percentile, indicating diverse opportunities and compensation levels depending on various factors such as employer type and individual experience. With estimates derived from BLS state-level data and regional cost adjustments, it's clear that choosing a career path in either FAANG companies or boutique agencies will result in different pay scales, influencing how much UX designers can earn in this part of California. As tech continues its evolution in Daly City, the demand for skilled designers remains strong, suggesting that the competitive salary landscape will only improve.
About the Daly City Market
Salary estimated from California average ($142,900) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $50,072 | $24.08 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $62,159 | $29.89 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $86,331 | $41.51 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $110,503 | $53.12 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $133,812 | $64.34 |
Median Salary Position
3.61% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Daly City
In Daly City, CA, the ux designer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $83,740 (2026 est.). At $86,331, the local median is 3.61% above the national median of $83,320.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Daly City: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Daly City UX Designer Pay Compares
Daly City median: $86,331/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Daly City Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $84,143 | +2.60% more |
| National Average | $83,320 | +3.61% more |
UX Designers in Daly City, CA earn a median of $86,331 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.61% higher than the national median of $83,320 and 2.60% above the California state average of $84,143.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Daly City has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Daly City, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $86,331 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $76,332 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2021 BLS Actual
$62,083
2025 BLS Actual
$80,819
2026 Current Est.
$86,331
2021–2027 Growth
+48.5%
Salary Trajectory for UX Designers in Daly City (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $62,083 | Actual |
| 2022 | $64,686 | Actual |
| 2023 | $76,576 | Actual |
| 2024 | $165,881 | Actual |
| 2025 | $80,819 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $86,331 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $92,219 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Daly City metropolitan area, the median ux designer salary grew 30.2% from $62,083 (2021) to $80,819 (2025). At a 6.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $92,219 by 2027 — a total increase of $30,136 (48.54%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Daly City 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) | $50,072 – $62,159 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $62,159 – $86,331 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $86,331 – $110,503 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $110,503 – $133,812 |
UX salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual ux designer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
UX Designer Job Market in Daly City
The local job market for UX designers in Daly City employs roughly 20 professionals, indicating a specialized yet supportive design community amidst a cost-of-living index of 113.1, which suggests that salaries should effectively account for elevated living expenses. Companies like FAANG typically offer the highest pay among local employers, particularly for roles emphasizing product design and management, while boutique agencies may provide broader project exposure for comparatively lower salaries. Factors such as company tier, specialty focus, and the strength of an individual's design portfolio significantly impact compensation ranges. To maximize earnings, designers should consider continuous skill development in areas like design systems and research, emphasizing their expertise when negotiating offers or seeking new opportunities in this vibrant market.
More salary data for Daly City, 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 $80,819 for ux designersin the Daly City 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 Daly City 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