Lexington vs Louisville/Jefferson County: UX Designer Salary (2026)
Compare ux designer salaries between Lexington, KY and Louisville/Jefferson County, KY. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | Lexington, KY | Louisville/Jefferson County, KY |
|---|---|---|
| Median Salary | $59,758 | $61,112▲ |
| Hourly Rate | $28.73 | $29.38▲ |
| Entry Level (P10) | $49,351▲ | $42,797 |
| 25th Percentile | $59,734▲ | $54,110 |
| 75th Percentile | $73,321 | $74,988▲ |
| Top Earner (P90) | $86,885 | $108,764▲ |
| Total Employed | 130 | 290▲ |
Verdict
Louisville/Jefferson County, KY offers better overall compensation for ux designers, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Lexington.
The salary gap between Lexington and Louisville/Jefferson County is $1,354 (2.27%). Louisville/Jefferson County's median is -26.65% compared to the US national median of $83,320.
Salary Range Comparison
The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Lexington spans $37,534,Louisville/Jefferson County spans $65,967. Louisville/Jefferson County 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, Louisville/Jefferson County ($65,660 effective) pays 2.06% more than Lexington ($64,333 effective).
Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.
Which City Is Right for You?
Choose Lexington if…
- ✓You prefer the Kentucky area and lifestyle
Choose Louisville/Jefferson County if…
- ✓Higher median salary ($61,112/year)
- ✓Better top-earner potential ($108,764)
- ✓Larger job market (290 employed)
- ✓Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $65,660)
- ✓You prefer the Kentucky area and lifestyle
Historical Salary Growth Comparison
Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, ux designer salaries in Lexington grew 0.4% from 2021 to 2025, compared to -6.2% growth in Louisville/Jefferson County over the same period.
Lexington, KY
$55,740 (2021) → $55,943 (2025)
Louisville/Jefferson County, KY
$60,990 (2021) → $57,210 (2025)
View Full Salary Data
Lexington, KY
Louisville/Jefferson County, KY
Frequently Asked Questions
Which city pays ux designers more: Lexington or Louisville/Jefferson County?
What is the hourly rate difference between Lexington and Louisville/Jefferson County?
Should I relocate from Lexington to Louisville/Jefferson County as a ux designer?
What do entry-level ux designers earn in Lexington vs Louisville/Jefferson County?
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