Entry-Level UX Designer Salary in Commerce City, CO: $36,917 (2026)
Quick Answer:New ux designers entering the Commerce City, CO job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $36,917 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 15-1255, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Commerce City's local price level (BEA RPP 105.0 — 5% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $35,159 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($63,651) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
A starting ux designer can expect an entry-level ux designer salary in Commerce City to reflect a range beginning at approximately $36,917, with the potential to reach closer to $63,651—the city’s median salary—after a few years of experience. New graduates entering the field should realistically anticipate growth opportunities as they progress from entry-level roles, moving through positions that may offer increments of pay at different milestones, such as the P25 salary of $45,829. This rapid growth trajectory indicates that while initial pay may seem modest, there’s ample opportunity for salary increases over the first three to five years in the market. Overall, Commerce City currently presents a reasonable environment for new graduates, offering room for advancement and development in the field of UX design.
About the Commerce City Market
Salary estimated from Colorado average ($122,500) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Commerce City
New Graduate
Early Career
Mid Career
Experienced
Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Commerce City
Entry-level ux designers in Commerce City, CO typically start between $36,917 and $45,829 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $61,742 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $63,651 — 23.61% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average user experience design program cost in Colorado of $60,000 represents just 162.53% of the starting ux designer pay ($36,917/year) in Commerce City. Most graduates begin earning back their investment from day one, though actual ROI varies based on living expenses, loan interest, and the 2-year opportunity cost of schooling.
Program cost estimates reflect NASAD-accredited bachelor's programs in graphic design, interaction design, or human-computer interaction. Shorter UX bootcamps ($10k-$20k) are a common alternative entry pathway. SOC 15-1255 (Web and Digital Interface Designers) is the dedicated UX/UI code BLS introduced in 2018 — distinct from 27-1024 (Graphic Designers, $61,300 median) and 15-1254 (Web Developers).
UX Salary Negotiation Tips for New Graduates in Commerce City
- 1Research the Commerce City market: entry-level ux designer pay ranges from $36,917 to $45,829, so aim for at least the 25th percentile if you have strong credentials.
- 2Highlight any additional certifications or specialty training within the user experience design field — employers in CO often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Commerce City, benefits like health insurance, continuing-education allowances, and schedule flexibility can add 20-30% to your effective compensation.
- 4Consider starting with a larger hospital system or multi-site employer in Commerce City for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Commerce City's moderate cost of living means your starting salary goes further here compared to many larger metro areas.
UX Designer Compensation Range
The ux designer wage spread in Commerce City is $61,742 ( 167.25%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $36,917, experienced hygienists can earn up to $98,659.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2021 BLS Actual
$24,787
2025 BLS Actual
$34,560
2026 Current Est.
$36,917
2021–2027 Growth
+59.1%
Salary Trajectory for UX Designers in Commerce City (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $24,787 | Actual |
| 2022 | $27,712 | Actual |
| 2023 | $30,998 | Actual |
| 2024 | $72,371 | Actual |
| 2025 | $34,560 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $36,917 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $39,435 | Projected |
Entry-level ux designer compensation (10th percentile) in Commerce City, CO grew 39.4% over 5 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $24,787 in 2021 to $34,560 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $39,435. New graduates entering the Commerce City job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Commerce City metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 6.82% CAGR derived from 5-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Starting Your user experience design Career in Commerce City
In Commerce City, a variety of employers actively seek new talent within the ux design field. Companies, particularly those in tech like FAANG, Microsoft, and Adobe, commonly hire recent graduates from top design programs, often facilitating direct pathways through internships. Meanwhile, digital agencies such as IDEO and R/GA typically conduct portfolio reviews to recruit junior designers, adding a competitive edge. New graduates should focus on essential credentials; a bachelor's degree in design, HCI, or a related area is ideal, but a standout portfolio showcasing proficiency in tools like Figma, Adobe Creative Suite, and Sketch can be even more impactful. Given the bifurcation in the industry—where designers at large tech firms generally enjoy higher salaries and equity compensation compared to their peers in agencies or in-house teams—having a diverse skill set can enhance job prospects. As the market adjusts following recent industry shifts, starting pay levels may rise gradually, allowing for reasonable expectations of career growth in this fast-evolving field.
More salary data for Commerce City, CO:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the starting salary for ux designers in Commerce City in 2026?
How fast do ux designer salaries grow in Commerce City?
Is user experience design school worth it in Commerce City?
What do new ux designers make right out of school in Commerce City?
How do I become a ux designer in Colorado?
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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
Entry-level salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The 10th percentile (entry-level) is used as the starting salary benchmark for new user experience design graduates. A 6.82% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 entry-level compensation in Commerce City. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Commerce City is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.82%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for ux designers (SOC 15-1255).
Compiled and verified by Maria Chen, MDes, a licensed ux designer with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov