UX Designer Salary

Kingsport vs Memphis: UX Designer Salary (2026)

Compare ux designer salaries between Kingsport, TN and Memphis, TN. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Kingsport, TN
$36,397
$17.50/hr
Memphis, TN
$50,040
$24.06/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricKingsport, TNMemphis, TN
Median Salary$36,397$50,040
Hourly Rate$17.50$24.06
Entry Level (P10)$28,129$34,401
25th Percentile$28,273$39,553
75th Percentile$56,241$71,055
Top Earner (P90)$78,913$94,760
Total Employed50240
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Kingsport ($36,397) and Memphis ($50,040) ux designer salaries.KingsportMemphisMedian Salary$36,397$50,040Entry Level (P10)$28,129$34,401Top Earner (P90)$78,913$94,760US Median $83,320

Verdict

Memphis, TN offers better overall compensation for ux designers, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Kingsport.

The salary gap between Kingsport and Memphis is $13,643 (37.48%). Memphis's median is -39.94% compared to the US national median of $83,320.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Kingsport spans $50,784,Memphis spans $60,359. Memphis has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced ux designers.

Kingsport
P10 (Entry)$28,129
P25$28,273
Median$36,397
P75$56,241
P90 (Top)$78,913
Memphis
P10 (Entry)$34,401
P25$39,553
Median$50,040
P75$71,055
P90 (Top)$94,760

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Memphis ($54,286 effective) pays 28.93% more than Kingsport ($42,103 effective).

Kingsport
Nominal: $36,397
CoL Index: 86.447
Adjusted: $42,103
Memphis
Nominal: $50,040
CoL Index: 92.179
Adjusted: $54,286

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Kingsport if…

  • You prefer the Tennessee area and lifestyle

Choose Memphis if…

  • Higher median salary ($50,040/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($94,760)
  • Larger job market (240 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $54,286)
  • You prefer the Tennessee area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, ux designer salaries in Kingsport grew -41.7% from 2022 to 2025, compared to -6.3% growth in Memphis over the same period.

Kingsport, TN

+-41.7%

$58,400 (2022) → $34,073 (2025)

Memphis, TN

+-6.3%

$50,000 (2021) → $46,845 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays ux designers more: Kingsport or Memphis?

Memphis has a higher median ux designer salary at $50,040/year, compared to Kingsport at $36,397/year — a difference of $13,643 (37.48%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Kingsport and Memphis?

Kingsport ux designers earn $17.50/hr while Memphis hygienists earn $24.06/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Kingsport to Memphis as a ux designer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Kingsport and Memphis. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Kingsport = $42,103, Memphis = $54,286), job availability (50 vs 240 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level ux designers earn in Kingsport vs Memphis?

Entry-level (10th percentile) ux designers earn $28,129 in Kingsport and $34,401 in Memphis. The Memphis area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

MC

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.

Clinically reviewed by Ismail Khan, BA, UXDData verified by Aisha Patel, MS

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