Austin vs San Marcos: UX Designer Salary (2026)
Compare ux designer salaries between Austin, TX and San Marcos, TX. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | Austin, TX | San Marcos, TX |
|---|---|---|
| Median Salary | $96,098 | $98,340▲ |
| Hourly Rate | $46.20 | $47.28▲ |
| Entry Level (P10) | $50,601 | $57,037▲ |
| 25th Percentile | $68,331 | $70,805▲ |
| 75th Percentile | $133,456▲ | $125,875 |
| Top Earner (P90) | $144,560 | $152,427▲ |
| Total Employed | 1,080▲ | 13 |
Verdict
San Marcos, TX offers better overall compensation for ux designers, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Austin.
The salary gap between Austin and San Marcos is $2,242 (2.33%). San Marcos's median is +18.03% compared to the US national median of $83,320.
Salary Range Comparison
The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Austin spans $93,959,San Marcos spans $95,390. San Marcos has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced ux designers.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison
After cost-of-living adjustment, San Marcos ($102,438 effective) pays 4.54% more than Austin ($97,993 effective).
Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.
Which City Is Right for You?
Choose Austin if…
- ✓Larger job market (1,080 employed)
- ✓You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle
Choose San Marcos if…
- ✓Higher median salary ($98,340/year)
- ✓Better top-earner potential ($152,427)
- ✓Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $102,438)
- ✓You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle
Historical Salary Growth Comparison
Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, ux designer salaries in Austin grew -8.0% from 2021 to 2025, compared to -7.0% growth in San Marcos over the same period.
Austin, TX
$97,800 (2021) → $89,963 (2025)
San Marcos, TX
$99,007 (2024) → $92,061 (2025)
View Full Salary Data
Austin, TX
San Marcos, TX
Frequently Asked Questions
Which city pays ux designers more: Austin or San Marcos?
What is the hourly rate difference between Austin and San Marcos?
Should I relocate from Austin to San Marcos as a ux designer?
What do entry-level ux designers earn in Austin vs San Marcos?
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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
All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 6.82% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS , released .
Compiled and verified by Maria Chen, MDes, a licensed ux designer with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov