UX Designer Salary in 2026
UX designers create intuitive and engaging user experiences for digital products through research, wireframing, and prototyping. They advocate for users while balancing business requirements.
Median Salary
$104,000
$8,667/mo
Entry Level
$68,600
starting pay
Senior Level
$150,100
experienced
Job Growth
+16%
10-yr outlook
BLS OEWS May 2025 · official national figures
BLS reports Web and Digital Interface Designers (SOC 15-1255, the closest published occupation to UX Designer) at a national median of $104,000 per year (mean $117,490), or $50.00 per hour, with 113,330 people employed nationwide. The median above is this BLS figure; the entry, senior and top tiers are Salario estimates calibrated to it. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 release.
UX Designer Overview
UX designers create intuitive and engaging user experiences for digital products through research, wireframing, and prototyping. They advocate for users while balancing business requirements.
Education
Bachelor's Degree
Experience
2-4 years
Industry
Technology
Total Jobs (US)
113K
5-Year Growth
+17%
Category
Technology
Hourly Rate
$50.00/hr
Monthly Pay
$8,667
UX Designer Salary Calculator
Adjust your state and experience level to see the estimated UX Designer salary in your area.
Mid Career (5-9 yrs)
Estimated UX Designer Salary
$122,000
$10,167/month · $4,692/biweekly · $58.65/hr
UX Designer Salary Range
Salary distribution from entry-level to top earners in the UX Designer field.
Entry-level UX Designers earn around $68,600, while the top 10% earn $168,850 or more.
Top Paying States for UX Designers
| State | Est. Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|
| California | $123,000 | +$19,000 |
| New York | $120,000 | +$16,000 |
| Washington | $116,000 | +$12,000 |
| Massachusetts | $116,000 | +$12,000 |
| Georgia | $101,000 | $-3,000 |
Top Paying Cities for UX Designers
| City | Est. Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|
| San Francisco | $130,000 | +$26,000 |
| New York | $123,000 | +$19,000 |
| Seattle | $119,000 | +$15,000 |
| Boston | $116,000 | +$12,000 |
| Atlanta | $102,000 | $-2,000 |
City figures are Salario estimates that scale the national median by a city cost-of-labor multiplier; BLS does not publish a metro-level series for this title.
Required Skills & Certifications
Key Skills
Certifications
UX Designer Career Progression
Typical salary growth path for a UX Designer from entry level to expert.
$68,600
0-2 years
$109,000
3-7 years
$150,100
8-14 years
$187,600
15+ years
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UX Designer Salary FAQ
How much does a UX Designer make in 2026?
The median salary for a UX Designer in the United States is $104,000 per year, the BLS OEWS May 2025 national median for Web and Digital Interface Designers (SOC 15-1255); the mean is $117,490. Salario's calibrated tiers put entry-level positions around $68,600, senior professionals around $150,100, and top earners at $187,600 or more annually.
What education is needed to become a UX Designer?
A UX Designer typically requires a Bachelor's Degree with 2-4 years of experience. Key skills include Figma, User Research, Prototyping. Relevant certifications such as Google UX Design Certificate or Nielsen Norman Certification can boost earning potential and career advancement.
What is the job outlook for UX Designers?
The job market for UX Designers is projected to grow by 16% over the next decade. There are currently approximately 113K UX Designer positions in the US. Salary growth over the past 5 years has been approximately 17%, reflecting strong demand for this role.
Which states pay UX Designers the most?
The highest-paying states for UX Designers include California, New York, Washington. In California, the median salary is approximately $123,000. However, cost of living varies significantly, so adjusted purchasing power should be considered when comparing salaries across states.
How can I increase my UX Designer salary?
To increase your UX Designer salary, focus on gaining expertise in high-demand skills like Figma and User Research. Pursue certifications such as Google UX Design Certificate. Consider relocating to higher-paying markets like San Francisco. With 2-4 years of experience, you can progress from $68,600 to $150,100 or more.
Methodology & Data Sources: UX Designer Salary
How we calculate UX Designer salary data: The national median is the official BLS OEWS May 2025 annual median wage for Web and Digital Interface Designers (SOC 15-1255), retrieved from the BLS Public Data API. The entry, senior and top tiers are a Salario model: the shape of the distribution is Salario's, rescaled so that its median equals the BLS median. State and most city figures are Salario estimates that apply cost-of-labor multipliers to that median.
- National median salary: $104,000, BLS OEWS May 2025 annual median for Web and Digital Interface Designers; BLS mean $117,490; BLS hourly median $50.00.
- Entry-level ($68,600) and senior-level ($150,100) are Salario tiers calibrated to the BLS median; they are not BLS percentiles. BLS publishes P10/P25/P75/P90 wages for this occupation in its OEWS tables.
- Job outlook: +16% projected growth is Salario's outlook figure; compare with the BLS Employment Projections program. BLS OEWS May 2025 counts 113,330 Web and Digital Interface Designers jobs nationwide.
- 5-year salary growth: 17% is a Salario estimate of past 5-year wage growth for the Technology sector, informed by the BLS Employment Cost Index.
- Education requirement: Bachelor's Degree, per BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook entry for this occupation.
- State and city estimates apply Salario cost-of-labor multipliers to the national median of $104,000; city rows marked "BLS metro" are real OEWS metropolitan-area medians instead.
Authoritative US data sources for UX Designer compensation:
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), national and metro-area salary data
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, UX Designer job projections, education, and career outlook
- BLS Employment Projections, 10-year occupation growth and decline data
- BLS Employment Cost Index, quarterly compensation trend data for Technology
- BLS Consumer Price Index (CPI-U), regional inflation for cost-of-living wage adjustments
- IRS Revenue Procedure 2025-32 summary, 2026 federal tax brackets and standard deductions
Disclaimer: UX Designer salary figures are statistical estimates for general guidance. Actual compensation depends on employer, location, negotiation, specific skills (Figma, User Research, Prototyping), certifications, and industry conditions. Always verify with multiple sources including current job listings, recruiter data, and direct employer offers before making career decisions.
Reviewed by Harlan Voss · Last updated May 17, 2026 · BLS figures: OEWS May 2025 release (published May 2026), retrieved from the BLS API on September 17, 2026
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