UX Designer Salary

Nashville vs Kingsport: UX Designer Salary (2026)

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

Nashville, TN
$50,882
$24.46/hr
Kingsport, TN
$36,397
$17.50/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricNashville, TNKingsport, TN
Median Salary$50,882$36,397
Hourly Rate$24.46$17.50
Entry Level (P10)$46,379$28,129
25th Percentile$50,882$28,273
75th Percentile$50,882$56,241
Top Earner (P90)$59,662$78,913
Total Employed2,50050
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Nashville ($50,882) and Kingsport ($36,397) ux designer salaries.NashvilleKingsportMedian Salary$50,882$36,397Entry Level (P10)$46,379$28,129Top Earner (P90)$59,662$78,913US Median $83,320

Verdict

Nashville, TN offers better overall compensation for ux designers, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Kingsport.

The salary gap between Nashville and Kingsport is $14,485 (39.80%). Nashville's median is -38.93% compared to the US national median of $83,320.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Nashville spans $13,283,Kingsport spans $50,784. Kingsport has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced ux designers.

Nashville
P10 (Entry)$46,379
P25$50,882
Median$50,882
P75$50,882
P90 (Top)$59,662
Kingsport
P10 (Entry)$28,129
P25$28,273
Median$36,397
P75$56,241
P90 (Top)$78,913

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Nashville ($52,816 effective) pays 25.44% more than Kingsport ($42,103 effective).

Nashville
Nominal: $50,882
CoL Index: 96.338
Adjusted: $52,816
Kingsport
Nominal: $36,397
CoL Index: 86.447
Adjusted: $42,103

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Nashville if…

  • Higher median salary ($50,882/year)
  • Larger job market (2,500 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $52,816)
  • You prefer the Tennessee area and lifestyle

Choose Kingsport if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($78,913)
  • You prefer the Tennessee area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, ux designer salaries in Nashville grew -7.0% from 2021 to 2025, compared to -41.7% growth in Kingsport over the same period.

Nashville, TN

+-7.0%

$51,210 (2021) → $47,633 (2025)

Kingsport, TN

+-41.7%

$58,400 (2022) → $34,073 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays ux designers more: Nashville or Kingsport?

Nashville has a higher median ux designer salary at $50,882/year, compared to Kingsport at $36,397/year — a difference of $14,485 (39.80%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Nashville and Kingsport?

Nashville ux designers earn $24.46/hr while Kingsport hygienists earn $17.50/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Nashville and Kingsport. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Nashville = $52,816, Kingsport = $42,103), job availability (2,500 vs 50 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) ux designers earn $46,379 in Nashville and $28,129 in Kingsport. The Nashville 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