Entry-Level UX Designer Salary in Brunswick, ME: $33,405 (2026)
Quick Answer:New ux designers entering the Brunswick, ME job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $33,405 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 15-1255, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Brunswick's local price level (BEA RPP 99.6 — 0% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $33,539 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($57,595) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
New graduates looking to break into the UX design field in Brunswick, Maine, may expect a starting salary around $33,405 as they enter the job market in 2026. This starting pay is significantly lower than the projected median annual salary of $57,595 for all UX designers in the city. While it might be disheartening to see such a gap, new designers can look forward to a potential growth trajectory over the first three to five years, moving from the entry-level starting point to a more comfortable position at around $42,255 before reaching the median. With an expected growth rate of 6.82% annually, Brunswick remains a feasible market for recent graduates, even if salaries are considerably below the national average of $83,320 for the same period.
About the Brunswick Market
Salary estimated from Maine average ($88,300) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Brunswick
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 Brunswick
Entry-level ux designers in Brunswick, ME typically start between $33,405 and $42,255 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $55,868 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $57,595 — 30.87% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average user experience design program cost in Maine of $68,000 represents just 203.56% of the starting ux designer pay ($33,405/year) in Brunswick. 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 Brunswick
- 1Research the Brunswick market: entry-level ux designer pay ranges from $33,405 to $42,255, 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 ME often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Brunswick, 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 Brunswick for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Brunswick'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 Brunswick is $55,868 ( 167.24%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $33,405, experienced hygienists can earn up to $89,273.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2021 BLS Actual
$22,429
2025 BLS Actual
$31,272
2026 Current Est.
$33,405
2021–2027 Growth
+59.1%
Salary Trajectory for UX Designers in Brunswick (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $22,429 | Actual |
| 2022 | $25,076 | Actual |
| 2023 | $28,049 | Actual |
| 2024 | $47,203 | Actual |
| 2025 | $31,272 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $33,405 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $35,683 | Projected |
Entry-level ux designer compensation (10th percentile) in Brunswick, ME grew 39.4% over 5 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $22,429 in 2021 to $31,272 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $35,683. New graduates entering the Brunswick job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Brunswick 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 Brunswick
Several employers in Brunswick actively seek new graduate talent, although they may differ significantly from the high-paying opportunities available at larger tech companies or agencies. Local companies often hire entry-level designers for in-house roles, while prominent firms like Microsoft and Adobe may recruit through internship programs or design competitions. For those with solid educational backgrounds, such as a bachelor’s degree in design or related fields, skills with tools like Figma and Adobe Creative Suite can greatly enhance job prospects. Beyond formal education, a strong portfolio showcasing shipped projects will be more influential than a degree alone. As the industry shifts with advancements in design systems and an increasing demand for certain specialties, those who position themselves within the evolving landscape will find better opportunities for salary growth in the first few years in the field. While starting pay may be lower in Brunswick, the combination of experience and evolving industry skills can lead to promising advancements.
More salary data for Brunswick, ME:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the starting salary for ux designers in Brunswick in 2026?
How fast do ux designer salaries grow in Brunswick?
Is user experience design school worth it in Brunswick?
What do new ux designers make right out of school in Brunswick?
How do I become a ux designer in Maine?
Related Pages
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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 Brunswick. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Brunswick 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