Entry-Level UX Designer Salary in Billerica, MA: $38,082 (2026)
Quick Answer:New ux designers entering the Billerica, MA job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $38,082 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 15-1255, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Billerica's local price level (BEA RPP 108.5 — 9% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $35,099 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($65,660) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, new graduates entering the UX design field in Billerica, Massachusetts can expect entry-level salaries to start around $38,082. This initial figure is significantly below the city median salary of $65,660, highlighting the gap new designers face as they build their careers. However, over the first few years, starting pay can realistically rise through stages, reaching about $48,534 at the 25th percentile and potentially nearing the median as designers gain experience and skills in high-demand tools like Figma. Billerica is currently a reasonable market for new graduates, as the projected growth trajectory for UX salaries suggests a healthy increase of 6.82% annually, providing young professionals a solid foundation for career advancement in this emerging field.
About the Billerica Market
Salary estimated from Massachusetts average ($115,800) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Billerica
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 Billerica
Entry-level ux designers in Billerica, MA typically start between $38,082 and $48,534 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $63,691 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $65,660 — 21.2% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average user experience design program cost in Massachusetts of $115,000 represents just 301.98% of the starting ux designer pay ($38,082/year) in Billerica. 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 Billerica
- 1Research the Billerica market: entry-level ux designer pay ranges from $38,082 to $48,534, 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 MA often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Billerica, 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 Billerica for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Billerica'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 Billerica is $63,691 ( 167.25%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $38,082, experienced hygienists can earn up to $101,773.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2021 BLS Actual
$25,569
2025 BLS Actual
$35,651
2026 Current Est.
$38,082
2021–2027 Growth
+59.1%
Salary Trajectory for UX Designers in Billerica (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $25,569 | Actual |
| 2022 | $28,587 | Actual |
| 2023 | $31,976 | Actual |
| 2024 | $70,571 | Actual |
| 2025 | $35,651 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $38,082 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $40,680 | Projected |
Entry-level ux designer compensation (10th percentile) in Billerica, MA grew 39.4% over 5 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $25,569 in 2021 to $35,651 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $40,680. New graduates entering the Billerica job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Billerica 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 Billerica
Employers in the Billerica area actively seek new talent in UX design, with many tech companies and digital agencies targeting fresh graduates through internship programs and portfolio reviews. Industry giants such as FAANG, Microsoft, and Adobe often recruit from top Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) programs, while design agencies may prioritize strong portfolios over formal degrees alone. Obtaining a Bachelor’s in a relevant field or even pursuing a Master’s in HCI can enhance job prospects, but hands-on experience and a portfolio showcasing completed projects are vital. Those starting out should tailor their career strategies to consider the bifurcation in UX roles—opting for positions that offer a narrower focus with higher compensation in larger tech firms or broader experiences in agencies. Realistic salary growth in the early years can lead to opportunities in design systems, an area that has seen rapid expansion since the significant layoffs in 2023-2024, thus positioning new graduates for success in Billerica's evolving job market.
More salary data for Billerica, MA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Is user experience design school worth it in Billerica?
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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 Billerica. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Billerica 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