UX Designer Salary

Lexington vs Murray: UX Designer Salary (2026)

Compare ux designer salaries between Lexington, KY and Murray, KY. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Lexington, KY
$59,758
$28.73/hr
Murray, KY
$52,193
$25.09/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricLexington, KYMurray, KY
Median Salary$59,758$52,193
Hourly Rate$28.73$25.09
Entry Level (P10)$49,351$30,677
25th Percentile$59,734$38,973
75th Percentile$73,321$66,807
Top Earner (P90)$86,885$80,900
Total Employed1304
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Lexington ($59,758) and Murray ($52,193) ux designer salaries.LexingtonMurrayMedian Salary$59,758$52,193Entry Level (P10)$49,351$30,677Top Earner (P90)$86,885$80,900US Median $83,320

Verdict

Lexington, KY offers better overall compensation for ux designers, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Murray.

The salary gap between Lexington and Murray is $7,565 (14.49%). Lexington's median is -28.28% 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,Murray spans $50,223. Murray has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced ux designers.

Lexington
P10 (Entry)$49,351
P25$59,734
Median$59,758
P75$73,321
P90 (Top)$86,885
Murray
P10 (Entry)$30,677
P25$38,973
Median$52,193
P75$66,807
P90 (Top)$80,900

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Lexington ($64,333 effective) pays 10.07% more than Murray ($58,447 effective).

Lexington
Nominal: $59,758
CoL Index: 92.889
Adjusted: $64,333
Murray
Nominal: $52,193
CoL Index: 89.3
Adjusted: $58,447

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Lexington if…

  • Higher median salary ($59,758/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($86,885)
  • Larger job market (130 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $64,333)
  • You prefer the Kentucky area and lifestyle

Choose Murray if…

  • 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 -27.7% growth in Murray over the same period.

Lexington, KY

+0.4%

$55,740 (2021) → $55,943 (2025)

Murray, KY

+-27.7%

$67,570 (2024) → $48,861 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays ux designers more: Lexington or Murray?

Lexington has a higher median ux designer salary at $59,758/year, compared to Murray at $52,193/year — a difference of $7,565 (14.49%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Lexington and Murray?

Lexington ux designers earn $28.73/hr while Murray hygienists earn $25.09/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Lexington to Murray as a ux designer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Lexington and Murray. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Lexington = $64,333, Murray = $58,447), job availability (130 vs 4 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level ux designers earn in Lexington vs Murray?

Entry-level (10th percentile) ux designers earn $49,351 in Lexington and $30,677 in Murray. The Lexington area offers higher starting salaries.
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