UX Designer Salary
by City (2026)
Design user experiences for digital products through research, prototyping, and usability testing. National median: $99K/year. See how your city compares.
UX Designer salary by city
Sorted by median salaryCOL-adjusted: where does your salary go furthest?
A $99K UX Designer salary in Houston (COL 91, no tax) has significantly more purchasing power than the same salary in San Francisco (COL 224, 9.3% state tax). Use our calculator to see the real numbers.
Try COL Calculator βUX Designer Salary Guide (2026)
The national median salary for a UX Designer is $99,000 per year. Entry-level positions typically start at $72,000, while experienced professionals in the top 25% earn $130,000 or more. The highest-paid 10% of UX Designers nationally earn $165,000+.
Education and requirements
Bachelor's in Design, HCI, or related. This role is 68% remote-eligible nationally, which significantly expands the geographic job market for workers in lower cost-of-living cities.
Salary growth outlook
UX Designer compensation is growing at 3.1% annually, above the national average wage growth rate.
UX Designer salary FAQ
How much does a UX Designer make?
The median UX Designer salary in the US is $99,000 per year β about $48/hour. Most earn between $72,000 (25th percentile) and $130,000 (75th percentile).
What is the starting salary for a UX Designer?
Entry-level UX Designer positions typically start around $72,000 per year. Pay rises with experience, specialization, and location.
How much do the highest-paid UX Designers earn?
The top 10% of UX Designers earn $165,000 or more per year β usually senior, lead, or specialized professionals in high-cost or high-demand markets.
Which city pays UX Designers the most?
San Francisco has the highest median UX Designer salary at $163K among the cities we track. But high-cost metros like San Francisco and New York often have lower real purchasing power once cost of living and taxes are factored in.
Are UX Designer salaries going up?
Yes β UX Designer pay is growing about 3.1% year over year, near the US average wage-growth rate.