UX Designer Salary in Downey, CA: $85,169 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time ux designer in Downey, CA earns a median $85,169/year (≈ $40.94/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-1255). Once you factor in Downey's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $75,304 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.3% above the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Downey, CA, the landscape for UX designer salaries is shaped by the choice between working for large tech companies, design agencies, or in-house teams. The 2026 median annual salary is set at $85,169, which is slightly above the national figure of $83,320. Professionals in this field can expect a salary range from $49,398 at the lower end to a high of $132,011. These projections are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, adjusted for local cost variations, indicating the area’s competitive market for UX roles. As designers consider their career paths in Downey, understanding these distinctions is critical for informed decision-making.
About the Downey Market
Salary estimated from California average ($142,900) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $49,398 | $23.75 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $61,321 | $29.48 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $85,169 | $40.94 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $109,016 | $52.42 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $132,011 | $63.46 |
Median Salary Position
2.22% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Downey
In Downey, CA, the ux designer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $82,613 (2026 est.). At $85,169, the local median is 2.22% above the national median of $83,320.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Downey: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Downey UX Designer Pay Compares
Downey median: $85,169/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Downey Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $84,076 | +1.30% more |
| National Average | $83,320 | +2.22% more |
UX Designers in Downey, CA earn a median of $85,169 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.22% higher than the national median of $83,320 and 1.30% above the California state average of $84,076.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Downey has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Downey, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $85,169 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $75,304 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2021 BLS Actual
$61,247
2025 BLS Actual
$79,731
2026 Current Est.
$85,169
2021–2027 Growth
+48.5%
Salary Trajectory for UX Designers in Downey (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $61,247 | Actual |
| 2022 | $63,815 | Actual |
| 2023 | $75,545 | Actual |
| 2024 | $163,647 | Actual |
| 2025 | $79,731 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $85,169 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $90,977 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Downey metropolitan area, the median ux designer salary grew 30.2% from $61,247 (2021) to $79,731 (2025). At a 6.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $90,977 by 2027 — a total increase of $29,730 (48.54%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Downey 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) | $49,398 – $61,321 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $61,321 – $85,169 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $85,169 – $109,016 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $109,016 – $132,011 |
UX salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual ux designer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
UX Designer Job Market in Downey
The job market in Downey currently employs 22 UX designers, reflecting a niche yet significant demand. Coupled with a cost-of-living index of 113.1, this means take-home pay may not stretch as far as it would in a lower-cost area. Top pay tends to come from major tech companies, including FAANG firms, which typically offer higher salaries and equity compensation packages. Differences in compensation are also driven by organizational hierarchy and design specialty; for instance, designers focusing on user research can command higher wages compared to those in visual design roles. To maximize earnings, designers in Downey should focus on building a strong portfolio that showcases work on heavily-trafficked apps, engaging in continued learning, and considering roles that allow them to leverage their expertise in design systems, especially as the industry evolves post-2023.
More salary data for Downey, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can ux designers make $100K in Downey?
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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 $79,731 for ux designersin the Downey 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 Downey 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