UX Designer Salary in Garden Grove, CA: $86,018 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time ux designer in Garden Grove, CA earns a median $86,018/year (≈ $41.35/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-1255). Once you factor in Garden Grove's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $76,055 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.3% above the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the projected median annual salary for UX designers in Garden Grove, California, is set at $86,018, which is slightly above the 2026 national median of $83,320, indicating a robust local market that has effectively absorbed previous layoffs in the design sector. Salaries for this profession in the area range from $49,890 at the 10th percentile to $133,327 at the 90th percentile, reflecting diverse opportunities that cater to varying experience levels and skill sets. These estimates are derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional cost-of-living factors, revealing a competitive environment for UX professionals especially as the landscape evolves post-2023.
About the Garden Grove Market
Salary estimated from California average ($142,900) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $49,890 | $23.98 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $61,933 | $29.77 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $86,018 | $41.35 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $110,103 | $52.93 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $133,327 | $64.10 |
Median Salary Position
3.24% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Garden Grove
In Garden Grove, CA, the ux designer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $83,437 (2026 est.). At $86,018, the local median is 3.24% above the national median of $83,320.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Garden Grove: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Garden Grove UX Designer Pay Compares
Garden Grove median: $86,018/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Garden Grove Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $84,084 | +2.30% more |
| National Average | $83,320 | +3.24% more |
UX Designers in Garden Grove, CA earn a median of $86,018 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.24% higher than the national median of $83,320 and 2.30% above the California state average of $84,084.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Garden Grove has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Garden Grove, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $86,018 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $76,055 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2021 BLS Actual
$61,858
2025 BLS Actual
$80,526
2026 Current Est.
$86,018
2021–2027 Growth
+48.5%
Salary Trajectory for UX Designers in Garden Grove (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $61,858 | Actual |
| 2022 | $64,452 | Actual |
| 2023 | $76,298 | Actual |
| 2024 | $165,280 | Actual |
| 2025 | $80,526 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $86,018 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $91,884 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Garden Grove metropolitan area, the median ux designer salary grew 30.2% from $61,858 (2021) to $80,526 (2025). At a 6.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $91,884 by 2027 — a total increase of $30,026 (48.54%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Garden Grove 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) | $49,890 – $61,933 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $61,933 – $86,018 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $86,018 – $110,103 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $110,103 – $133,327 |
UX salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual ux designer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
UX Designer Job Market in Garden Grove
Currently, there are around 37 UX designers employed in Garden Grove, reflecting a localized job market that has weathered recent industry turbulence. The cost of living index, standing at 113.1, signals a higher-than-average expense level, impacting how much take-home pay translates into lifestyle. Among the top payers in the area are larger tech companies like Adobe and Salesforce, which typically offer higher compensation, especially for roles that emphasize product design and design systems using Figma. The pay disparity here can stem from various factors, including company tier, the complexity of the portfolio, and professional specialization. For designers looking to maximize their pay in Garden Grove, strengthening their portfolios with heavily-trafficked app experience and pursuing strong equity offers from tech companies can be vital strategies in an evolving market landscape.
More salary data for Garden Grove, 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 $80,526 for ux designersin the Garden Grove 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 Garden Grove 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