What is the average Designer salary for Santa Cruz, CA?
-
As of June 01, 2026, the average Designer salary in Santa Cruz, CA is $146,293. The chart below represents localized salaries for some of our most popular Designer job titles in Santa Cruz, CA. Salaries can vary greatly depending on numerous factors, including position, location, years of experience, and level of education. Salary.com’s team of Certified Compensation Professionals analyzed survey data collected from thousands of HR departments at companies of all sizes and industries to compile a range of salaries for various Designer job titles in Santa Cruz, CA. Apply your personal criteria to one of the job titles below to get your personalized salary estimate.
Designer Salaries in Santa Cruz, CA
| Job Title | Salary | Hourly Rate | Location | Date Updated |
| Package Designer II | $93,183 | $44.80 | Santa Cruz, CA | June 01, 2026 |
| Industrial Designer I | $80,912 | $38.90 | Santa Cruz, CA | June 01, 2026 |
| Industrial Designer III | $116,567 | $56.04 | Santa Cruz, CA | June 01, 2026 |
| UI Designer II | $102,798 | $49.42 | Santa Cruz, CA | June 01, 2026 |
| UI Designer IV | $167,988 | $80.76 | Santa Cruz, CA | June 01, 2026 |
| UI Designer III | $139,744 | $67.18 | Santa Cruz, CA | June 01, 2026 |
| Industrial Designer II | $94,202 | $45.29 | Santa Cruz, CA | June 01, 2026 |
| UX Designer III | $141,532 | $68.04 | Santa Cruz, CA | June 01, 2026 |
| UX Designer IV | $170,996 | $82.21 | Santa Cruz, CA | June 01, 2026 |
| UX Designer V | $198,406 | $95.39 | Santa Cruz, CA | June 01, 2026 |
-
Designs and creates packaging artwork for an organization. Utilizes graphic arts design techniques and software tools to create compelling package designs that reflect the organization's branding and marketing objectives. Incorporates industry practices, branding standards, and any regulatory requirements into package designs. Collaborates with production, marketing, vendors, and other stakeholders to deliver designs that meet all requirements and adhere to the budget. May require a bachelor's degree in industrial design, art, graphic design or equivalent. Typically reports to a supervisor or manager. Occasionally directed in several aspects of the work. Gaining exposure to some of the complex tasks within the job function. Typically requires 2-4 years of related experience. Package Designer II Salaries in Santa Cruz, CAAlternate Job Titles:Package Art Designer II, Packaging Graphics Designer II, Package Designer II
-
Designs and develops industrial product concepts and specifications that reflect aesthetic, functional, and manufacturing requirements. Researches and analyzes the intended use of products and user preferences. Translates user insights and market requirements into sketches, prototypes, and CAD models to visually communicate the design concept. Collaborates with stakeholders like engineering, manufacturing, marketing, and suppliers to produce final designs that meet safety, manufacturability, timeline, and cost constraints. Experienced in using a variety of 3D/2D CAD rendering, prototyping, and animation tools. Typically requires a bachelor's degree in industrial or product design. Typically reports to a manager or head of a unit/department. Work is closely managed. Works on projects/matters of limited complexity in a support role. Typically requires 0-2 years of related experience. Industrial Designer I Salaries in Santa Cruz, CAAlternate Job Titles:Entry Industrial Product Design, Junior Industrial Designer, Industrial Designer I
-
Designs and develops industrial product concepts and specifications that reflect aesthetic, functional, and manufacturing requirements. Researches and analyzes the intended use of products and user preferences. Translates user insights and market requirements into sketches, prototypes, and CAD models to visually communicate the design concept. Collaborates with stakeholders like engineering, manufacturing, marketing, and suppliers to produce final designs that meet safety, manufacturability, timeline, and cost constraints. Experienced in using a variety of 3D/2D CAD rendering, prototyping, and animation tools. Typically requires a bachelor's degree in industrial or product design. Typically reports to a manager or head of a unit/department. Work is generally independent and collaborative in nature. Contributes to moderately complex aspects of a project. Typically requires 4-7 years of related experience. Industrial Designer III Salaries in Santa Cruz, CAAlternate Job Titles:Senior Industrial Designer, Senior Industrial Product Design, Industrial Designer III
-
Creates visually appealing, user-friendly interfaces that elevate experiences across web and mobile platforms. Translates concepts into intuitive layouts and cohesive design systems. Ensures brand alignment, consistency, and strong usability with a refined visual balance. Develops wireframes, prototypes, and final design assets while continuously testing and iterating based on user feedback and emerging design trends. Requires a bachelor's degree. Typically reports to a manager. Occasionally directed in several aspects of the work. Gaining exposure to some of the complex tasks within the job function. Typically requires 2-4 years of related experience. UI Designer II Salaries in Santa Cruz, CAAlternate Job Titles:Interaction Designer Intermediate, User Interface Designer II, Visual Designer II, UI Designer II
-
Creates visually appealing, user-friendly interfaces that elevate experiences across web and mobile platforms. Translates concepts into intuitive layouts and cohesive design systems. Ensures brand alignment, consistency, and strong usability with a refined visual balance. Develops wireframes, prototypes, and final design assets while continuously testing and iterating based on user feedback and emerging design trends. Requires a bachelor's degree. Typically reports to a manager. Work is highly independent. May assume a team lead role for the work group. A specialist on complex technical and business matters. Typically requires 7+ years of related experience. UI Designer IV Salaries in Santa Cruz, CAAlternate Job Titles:Interaction Designer Specialist, User Interface Designer IV, Visual Designer IV, UI Designer IV
-
Creates visually appealing, user-friendly interfaces that elevate experiences across web and mobile platforms. Translates concepts into intuitive layouts and cohesive design systems. Ensures brand alignment, consistency, and strong usability with a refined visual balance. Develops wireframes, prototypes, and final design assets while continuously testing and iterating based on user feedback and emerging design trends. Requires a bachelor's degree. Typically reports to a manager. Work is generally independent and collaborative in nature. Contributes to moderately complex aspects of a project. Typically requires 4-7 years of related experience. UI Designer III Salaries in Santa Cruz, CAAlternate Job Titles:Interaction Designer Senior, User Interface Designer III, Visual Designer III, UI Designer III
-
Designs and develops industrial product concepts and specifications that reflect aesthetic, functional, and manufacturing requirements. Researches and analyzes the intended use of products and user preferences. Translates user insights and market requirements into sketches, prototypes, and CAD models to visually communicate the design concept. Collaborates with stakeholders like engineering, manufacturing, marketing, and suppliers to produce final designs that meet safety, manufacturability, timeline, and cost constraints. Experienced in using a variety of 3D/2D CAD rendering, prototyping, and animation tools. Typically requires a bachelor's degree in industrial or product design. Typically reports to a manager or head of a unit/department. Occasionally directed in several aspects of the work. Gaining exposure to some of the complex tasks within the job function. Typically requires 2-4 years of related experience. Industrial Designer II Salaries in Santa Cruz, CAAlternate Job Titles:Intermediate Industrial Product Design, Industrial Designer II
-
Creates intuitive, user-centered digital experiences by understanding user needs, behaviors, and motivations. Researches and analyzes user data, conducts usability testing, and translates insights into wireframes, prototypes, and design solutions. Collaborates with product managers, developers, and stakeholders to ensure designs and features align with business goals and technical constraints. Requires knowledge of visual design and wireframing/prototyping tools. May require familiarity with various graphic design software packages. Requires a bachelor's degree. Typically reports to a manager. Work is generally independent and collaborative in nature. Contributes to moderately complex aspects of a project. Typically requires 4-7 years of related experience. UX Designer III Salaries in Santa Cruz, CAAlternate Job Titles:Experience Designer III, User Experience Digital Designer III, UX Researcher III, UX Designer III
-
Creates intuitive, user-centered digital experiences by understanding user needs, behaviors, and motivations. Researches and analyzes user data, conducts usability testing, and translates insights into wireframes, prototypes, and design solutions. Collaborates with product managers, developers, and stakeholders to ensure designs and features align with business goals and technical constraints. Requires knowledge of visual design and wireframing/prototyping tools. May require familiarity with various graphic design software packages. Requires a bachelor's degree. Typically reports to a manager. Work is highly independent. May assume a team lead role for the work group. A specialist on complex technical and business matters. Typically requires 7+ years of related experience. UX Designer IV Salaries in Santa Cruz, CAAlternate Job Titles:Experience Designer IV, User Experience Digital Designer IV, UX Researcher IV, UX Designer IV
-
Creates intuitive, user-centered digital experiences by understanding user needs, behaviors, and motivations. Researches and analyzes user data, conducts usability testing, and translates insights into wireframes, prototypes, and design solutions. Collaborates with product managers, developers, and stakeholders to ensure designs and features align with business goals and technical constraints. Requires knowledge of visual design and wireframing/prototyping tools. May require familiarity with various graphic design software packages. Requires a bachelor's degree. Typically reports to a manager. Works autonomously. Goals are generally communicated in "solution" or project goal terms. May provide a leadership role for the work group through knowledge in the area of specialization. Works on advanced, complex technical projects or business issues requiring state of the art technical or industry knowledge. Typically requires 10+ years of related experience. UX Designer V Salaries in Santa Cruz, CAAlternate Job Titles:Experience Designer V, User Experience Digital Designer V, UX Researcher V, UX Designer V