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Crunching costs, sorting signals, rendering insights.
Crunching costs, sorting signals, rendering insights.
Real salary distribution from 288 tracked cities across 46 states. Compare entry-level, median, and senior compensation — then adjust for cost of living.
Not all UX Designer salaries are created equal. The national median salary for UX Designers in 2026 is $122,208, with entry-level positions averaging $87,990 and senior roles reaching $173,536. But those numbers flatten a reality with enormous geographic variation — Sunnyvale pays a median of $222,600, while other markets fall well below the national average. We tracked 288 cities to build the complete picture.
UX Designer falls within the Technology sector, specifically in Technology. The typical education path involves Bachelor's in design/HCI. The career outlook? High demand. Work style is hybrid/remote — which means location flexibility varies, and so does the premium different markets are willing to pay. In the right market, this is a six-figure career path.
$135,450 separates the highest and lowest-paying cities. A UX Designer in Sunnyvale, California earns a median of $222,600 — $135,450 more than their counterpart in Toledo, Ohio ($87,150). That gap alone is more than many cities' annual rent. For early-career professionals, the geographic pay premium is worth the math.
The three-tier salary picture for UX Designers in 2026: $87,990 at entry (P10), $122,208 at midpoint, and $173,536 at the senior end (P90). The city-level data complicates the national narrative. The $85,546 range from bottom to top isn't just experience — it's geography, specialization, and industry mixed together. The median itself lands $41,841 above the national median household income of $80,367.
The pay gap between the top and bottom markets is dramatic: $207,900 (average of the top 3 cities) versus $87,850 (average of the bottom 3). That $120,050 delta is real money — $10,004/month before taxes. But the highest-paying cities tend to be the most expensive. The cost-adjusted comparison below tells the more important story.
A UX Designer in Sunnyvale, California earns a median of $222,600 — $135,450 more than their counterpart in Toledo, Ohio ($87,150). That gap alone is more than many cities' annual rent.
The national average entry-level (P10) salary for UX Designer is $87,990, while senior-level (P90) earners average $173,536. That $85,546 trajectory represents the earning growth a career in this field can deliver.
California pays the highest average median salary for UX Designers at $147,499 across 61 tracked cities. The gap between #1 and #5 (New Jersey at $129,675) is $17,824.
At the 90th percentile, UX Designers pull in an average of $173,536. In the top-paying markets, that figure climbs even higher — making this one of the more lucrative career trajectories in its field.
| Country | Coverage | Entry (P10) | Median | Senior (P90) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | 288 | $87,990 | $122,208 | $173,536 |
| United Kingdom | 27 | £52,760 | £73,277 | £104,054 |
| Canada | 21 | CA$68,390 | CA$94,986 | CA$134,880 |
| Australia | 13 | A$79,271 | A$110,099 | A$156,340 |
| Sweden | 24 | 499,329 kr | 693,513 kr | 984,788 kr |
| State | Cities | Entry (P10) | Median | Senior (P90) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| California | 61 | $106,199 | $147,499 | $209,449 |
| Massachusetts | 4 | $102,627 | $142,538 | $202,403 |
| Hawaii | 1 | $102,060 | $141,750 | $201,285 |
| District of Columbia | 1 | $94,500 | $131,250 | $186,375 |
| New Jersey | 4 | $93,366 | $129,675 | $184,139 |
| Washington | 8 | $91,571 | $127,181 | $180,597 |
| New York | 5 | $86,184 | $119,700 | $169,974 |
| Rhode Island | 1 | $86,184 | $119,700 | $169,974 |
| Florida | 22 | $85,531 | $118,793 | $168,686 |
| Colorado | 11 | $84,053 | $116,741 | $165,772 |
| New Hampshire | 1 | $83,916 | $116,550 | $165,501 |
| Nevada | 5 | $83,765 | $116,340 | $165,203 |
| Arizona | 12 | $83,349 | $115,763 | $164,383 |
| Oregon | 5 | $83,160 | $115,500 | $164,010 |
| Idaho | 3 | $82,908 | $115,150 | $163,513 |
| Connecticut | 5 | $82,253 | $114,240 | $162,221 |
| Utah | 4 | $82,026 | $113,925 | $161,774 |
| Virginia | 7 | $80,676 | $112,050 | $159,111 |
| South Carolina | 3 | $79,632 | $110,600 | $157,052 |
| Alaska | 1 | $79,380 | $110,250 | $156,555 |
| Illinois | 5 | $78,473 | $108,990 | $154,766 |
| North Carolina | 9 | $76,524 | $106,283 | $150,922 |
| New Mexico | 3 | $75,600 | $105,000 | $149,100 |
| Montana | 1 | $75,600 | $105,000 | $149,100 |
| Tennessee | 6 | $75,348 | $104,650 | $148,603 |
| Texas | 40 | $74,976 | $104,134 | $147,870 |
| Minnesota | 2 | $74,844 | $103,950 | $147,609 |
| Wisconsin | 2 | $74,466 | $103,425 | $146,864 |
| Georgia | 6 | $74,214 | $103,075 | $146,367 |
| Pennsylvania | 3 | $74,088 | $102,900 | $146,118 |
| Kansas | 4 | $73,710 | $102,375 | $145,373 |
| Michigan | 6 | $73,458 | $102,025 | $144,876 |
| Kentucky | 2 | $72,576 | $100,800 | $143,136 |
| Maryland | 1 | $72,576 | $100,800 | $143,136 |
| Nebraska | 2 | $71,820 | $99,750 | $141,645 |
| South Dakota | 1 | $71,820 | $99,750 | $141,645 |
| Oklahoma | 4 | $69,930 | $97,125 | $137,918 |
| North Dakota | 1 | $69,552 | $96,600 | $137,172 |
| Louisiana | 4 | $68,607 | $95,288 | $135,308 |
| Missouri | 4 | $68,607 | $95,288 | $135,308 |
| Alabama | 5 | $68,342 | $94,920 | $134,786 |
| Indiana | 3 | $67,284 | $93,450 | $132,699 |
| Arkansas | 1 | $67,284 | $93,450 | $132,699 |
| Iowa | 2 | $66,528 | $92,400 | $131,208 |
| Ohio | 6 | $66,402 | $92,225 | $130,960 |
| Mississippi | 1 | $63,504 | $88,200 | $125,244 |
The state salary map for UX Designers: California at $147,499, Massachusetts at $142,538, Hawaii at $141,750 lead the pack. The bottom tier — Mississippi ($88,200), Ohio ($92,225), Iowa ($92,400) — shows how regional economics reshape compensation. Across all 46 states with data, the state-level spread alone is $59,299.
When you adjust the top-paying cities for cost of living, the ranking reshuffles. Sunnyvale ($222,600 nominal, 212 cost index) delivers $105,000 in purchasing power — maintaining its lead even after cost adjustment. This is the metric that matters for anyone considering a geo-based career move.
Raw salary divided by the local cost index — this shows where your paycheck buys the most.
| # | City | Nominal Salary | Cost Index | Adjusted Salary | Est. Take-Home |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sunnyvale California | $222,600 | 212 | $105,000 | $127,047 |
| 2 | Santa Clara California | $207,900 | 198 | $105,000 | $120,130 |
| 3 | Irvine California | $193,200 | 184 | $105,000 | $113,214 |
| 4 | San Francisco California | $190,050 | 181 | $105,000 | $111,580 |
| 5 | Carlsbad California | $186,900 | 178 | $105,000 | $109,846 |
| 6 | San Jose California | $185,850 | 177 | $105,000 | $109,268 |
| 7 | Fremont California | $185,850 | 177 | $105,000 | $109,268 |
| 8 | Berkeley California | $181,650 | 173 | $105,000 | $106,956 |
| 9 | Costa Mesa California | $181,650 | 173 | $105,000 | $106,956 |
| 10 | Huntington Beach California | $177,450 | 169 | $105,000 | $104,644 |
From a career planning perspective, UX Designer offers a $85,546 earning range. The 2.0× progression is steady — not explosive, but reliable. The typical entry requires Bachelor's in design/HCI. Day-to-day, expect hybrid/remote work environments. With data from 288 cities, the geographic flexibility is substantial — this career travels well.
The weighted national median salary for UX Designers is $122,208 in 2026, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics across 288 U.S. metro areas. Entry-level (10th percentile) averages $87,990, while experienced professionals at the 90th percentile average $173,536.
The highest-paying city for UX Designers is Sunnyvale, California with a median salary of $222,600. The top 3 cities are Sunnyvale ($222,600), Santa Clara ($207,900), Irvine ($193,200). Note: high-paying cities often have higher costs of living — check the cost-adjusted rankings above for purchasing power.
The lowest median UX Designer salary in our data is in Toledo, Ohio at $87,150. However, lower-paying cities often have significantly lower costs of living, which can offset the pay gap. Always compare salary data alongside local cost of living.
Entry-level UX Designers (10th percentile) average $87,990 nationally. This varies by city — in the highest-paying markets, entry-level pay can be close to $160,272. Experience, certifications, and employer type all influence starting salary.
At the 90th percentile (senior level), UX Designers average $173,536 nationally — $85,546 more than entry-level. In top-paying cities, senior UX Designers can earn up to $316,092.
The top-paying states for UX Designers are California ($147,499 median), Massachusetts ($142,538 median), Hawaii ($141,750 median). State averages are computed across all tracked cities in each state, weighted equally.
The typical education path for a UX Designer involves Bachelor's in design/HCI. The field is in the Technology sector (Technology), and the career outlook is high demand. Work style is typically hybrid/remote.
With a national median of $122,208 and representation across 288 metro areas, UX Designer offers above-average earning potential compared to national household income. The $85,546 gap between entry and senior pay shows room for salary growth. Industry outlook: high demand.
All salary data on this page is sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program, which surveys employers across U.S. metropolitan areas. We present 10th percentile (entry), 50th percentile (median), and 90th percentile (senior) pay benchmarks. Cost-of-living adjustments use our core database of 288 cities.
Salary data is sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program, which surveys employers across U.S. metropolitan and non-metropolitan areas. We present the 10th percentile (entry-level), 50th percentile (median), and 90th percentile (senior) pay benchmarks.
Cost-of-living adjustments use Livably's core index derived from Zillow rent data, Census income surveys, and regional BLS price data. Take-home pay estimates apply simplified federal brackets, 7.65% FICA, and state income tax rates from the Tax Foundation.
State and national averages are computed as simple means across all tracked cities with data for this occupation. Rankings are updated monthly as new BLS releases become available.