UX Designer Salary in Davis, CA: $81,403 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time ux designer in Davis, CA earns a median $81,403/year (≈ $39.14/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-1255). Once you factor in Davis's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $71,974 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.2% below the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
For those considering a career as a UX designer in Davis, California, the 2026 median annual salary is projected to be $81,403, slightly below the national median of $83,320. The salary range for UX designers in the area starts at $47,213 at the 10th percentile and can reach up to $126,175 at the 90th percentile. These figures are derived from 2025 BLS data, projected to 2026, and reflect local cost adjustments. As the market evolves, designers must evaluate whether to pursue individual contributor roles, which may offer higher earning potential, or transition into management, where pay can vary depending on the employer and industry segment.
About the Davis Market
Salary estimated from California average ($142,900) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $47,213 | $22.70 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $58,610 | $28.18 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $81,403 | $39.14 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $104,197 | $50.10 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $126,175 | $60.66 |
Median Salary Position
2.3% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Davis
In Davis, CA, the ux designer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $78,962 (2026 est.). At $81,403, the local median is 2.3% below the national median of $83,320.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Davis: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Davis UX Designer Pay Compares
Davis median: $81,403/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Davis Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $84,094 | -3.20% less |
| National Average | $83,320 | -2.30% less |
UX Designers in Davis, CA earn a median of $81,403 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.30% lower than the national median of $83,320 and 3.20% below the California state average of $84,094.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Davis has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Davis, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $81,403 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $71,974 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2021 BLS Actual
$58,539
2025 BLS Actual
$76,206
2026 Current Est.
$81,403
2021–2027 Growth
+48.5%
Salary Trajectory for UX Designers in Davis (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $58,539 | Actual |
| 2022 | $60,994 | Actual |
| 2023 | $72,205 | Actual |
| 2024 | $156,413 | Actual |
| 2025 | $76,206 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $81,403 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $86,955 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Davis metropolitan area, the median ux designer salary grew 30.2% from $58,539 (2021) to $76,206 (2025). At a 6.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $86,955 by 2027 — a total increase of $28,416 (48.54%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Davis 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) | $47,213 – $58,610 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $58,610 – $81,403 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $81,403 – $104,197 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $104,197 – $126,175 |
UX salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual ux designer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
UX Designer Job Market in Davis
The job market in Davis currently holds about 14 UX designers, revealing a competitive environment influenced by the growing demand for design talent. With a cost-of-living index of 113.1, professionals may experience tighter take-home purchasing power compared to other regions, making salary negotiations crucial. Employers in Davis that tend to offer higher compensation include major tech firms and digital agencies, which often have the budgets necessary to compete for top talent. Factors impacting salary disparities include company tier—where FAANG and unicorn firms typically command higher pay compared to tier-2 tech or non-tech companies—specialization in fields like research versus product design, and the strength of one's portfolio, particularly if it includes high-traffic applications. To maximize earning potential in this market, it’s advisable for designers to build a robust portfolio using industry tools like Figma and remain agile in their skillset to adapt to the needs of various employers.
More salary data for Davis, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can ux designers make $100K in Davis?
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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 $76,206 for ux designersin the Davis 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 Davis 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