UX Designer Salary

Maple Valley vs Seattle: UX Designer Salary (2026)

Compare ux designer salaries between Maple Valley, WA and Seattle, WA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Maple Valley, WA
$71,591
$34.42/hr
Seattle, WA
$107,162
$51.52/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricMaple Valley, WASeattle, WA
Median Salary$71,591$107,162
Hourly Rate$34.42$51.52
Entry Level (P10)$41,523$48,534
25th Percentile$51,545$60,543
75th Percentile$91,637$138,615
Top Earner (P90)$110,966$174,490
Total Employed610,330
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Maple Valley ($71,591) and Seattle ($107,162) ux designer salaries.Maple ValleySeattleMedian Salary$71,591$107,162Entry Level (P10)$41,523$48,534Top Earner (P90)$110,966$174,490US Median $83,320

Verdict

Seattle, WA offers better overall compensation for ux designers, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Maple Valley.

The salary gap between Maple Valley and Seattle is $35,571 (49.69%). Seattle's median is +28.61% compared to the US national median of $83,320.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Maple Valley spans $69,443,Seattle spans $125,956. Seattle has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced ux designers.

Maple Valley
P10 (Entry)$41,523
P25$51,545
Median$71,591
P75$91,637
P90 (Top)$110,966
Seattle
P10 (Entry)$48,534
P25$60,543
Median$107,162
P75$138,615
P90 (Top)$174,490

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Seattle ($96,427 effective) pays 44.66% more than Maple Valley ($66,658 effective).

Maple Valley
Nominal: $71,591
CoL Index: 107.4
Adjusted: $66,658
Seattle
Nominal: $107,162
CoL Index: 111.133
Adjusted: $96,427

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Maple Valley if…

  • You prefer the Washington area and lifestyle

Choose Seattle if…

  • Higher median salary ($107,162/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($174,490)
  • Larger job market (10,330 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $96,427)
  • You prefer the Washington area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, ux designer salaries in Maple Valley grew -52.8% from 2024 to 2025, compared to -33.1% growth in Seattle over the same period.

Maple Valley, WA

+-52.8%

$142,123 (2024) → $67,020 (2025)

Seattle, WA

+-33.1%

$150,040 (2021) → $100,320 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays ux designers more: Maple Valley or Seattle?

Seattle has a higher median ux designer salary at $107,162/year, compared to Maple Valley at $71,591/year — a difference of $35,571 (49.69%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Maple Valley and Seattle?

Maple Valley ux designers earn $34.42/hr while Seattle hygienists earn $51.52/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Maple Valley to Seattle as a ux designer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Maple Valley and Seattle. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Maple Valley = $66,658, Seattle = $96,427), job availability (6 vs 10,330 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level ux designers earn in Maple Valley vs Seattle?

Entry-level (10th percentile) ux designers earn $41,523 in Maple Valley and $48,534 in Seattle. The Seattle 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