Orem vs Salt Lake City: UX Designer Salary (2026)
Compare ux designer salaries between Orem, UT and Salt Lake City, UT. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | Orem, UT | Salt Lake City, UT |
|---|---|---|
| Median Salary | $84,988 | $85,979▲ |
| Hourly Rate | $40.86 | $41.34▲ |
| Entry Level (P10) | $49,293 | $50,225▲ |
| 25th Percentile | $61,192 | $65,951▲ |
| 75th Percentile | $108,784▲ | $106,905 |
| Top Earner (P90) | $131,731▲ | $127,880 |
| Total Employed | 24 | 580▲ |
Verdict
Salt Lake City, UT offers better overall compensation for ux designers, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Orem.
The salary gap between Orem and Salt Lake City is $991 (1.17%). Salt Lake City's median is +3.19% compared to the US national median of $83,320.
Salary Range Comparison
The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Orem spans $82,438,Salt Lake City spans $77,655. Orem has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison
After cost-of-living adjustment, Orem ($86,634 effective) pays 1.64% more than Salt Lake City ($85,239 effective).
Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.
Which City Is Right for You?
Choose Orem if…
- ✓Better top-earner potential ($131,731)
- ✓Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $86,634)
- ✓You prefer the Utah area and lifestyle
Choose Salt Lake City if…
- ✓Higher median salary ($85,979/year)
- ✓Larger job market (580 employed)
- ✓You prefer the Utah area and lifestyle
Historical Salary Growth Comparison
Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, ux designer salaries in Orem grew -20.9% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 0.7% growth in Salt Lake City over the same period.
Orem, UT
$100,614 (2024) → $79,562 (2025)
Salt Lake City, UT
$79,920 (2021) → $80,490 (2025)
View Full Salary Data
Salt Lake City, UT
Frequently Asked Questions
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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