Entry-Level UX Designer Salary in Dartmouth, MA: $38,306 (2026)
Quick Answer:New ux designers entering the Dartmouth, MA job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $38,306 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 15-1255, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Dartmouth's local price level (BEA RPP 108.5 — 9% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $35,305 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($66,044) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, an entry-level UX designer salary in Dartmouth, Massachusetts, is projected to start at around $38,306, a figure that reflects the early stages of a designer’s career. This starting point is significantly lower than the city’s median annual salary of $66,044, meaning new graduates can expect a considerable gap between their initial earnings and the median as they gain experience. However, there is potential for salary growth; as they move up to the 25th percentile, salaries can increase to about $47,551, and with a trajectory of 6.82% annual growth, new designers can steadily work their way toward the median over the first few years of their careers. Given the local market in Dartmouth, it remains a reasonable place for recent graduates seeking to establish themselves in UX design, especially considering the demand for skills in tools like Figma and Adobe Creative Suite.
About the Dartmouth Market
Salary estimated from Massachusetts average ($115,800) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Dartmouth
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 Dartmouth
Entry-level ux designers in Dartmouth, MA typically start between $38,306 and $47,551 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $64,062 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $66,044 — 20.73% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average user experience design program cost in Massachusetts of $115,000 represents just 300.21% of the starting ux designer pay ($38,306/year) in Dartmouth. 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 Dartmouth
- 1Research the Dartmouth market: entry-level ux designer pay ranges from $38,306 to $47,551, 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 Dartmouth, 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 Dartmouth for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Dartmouth'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 Dartmouth is $64,062 ( 167.24%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $38,306, experienced hygienists can earn up to $102,368.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2021 BLS Actual
$25,719
2025 BLS Actual
$35,860
2026 Current Est.
$38,306
2021–2027 Growth
+59.1%
Salary Trajectory for UX Designers in Dartmouth (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $25,719 | Actual |
| 2022 | $28,755 | Actual |
| 2023 | $32,164 | Actual |
| 2024 | $70,984 | Actual |
| 2025 | $35,860 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $38,306 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $40,918 | Projected |
Entry-level ux designer compensation (10th percentile) in Dartmouth, MA grew 39.4% over 5 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $25,719 in 2021 to $35,860 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $40,918. New graduates entering the Dartmouth job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Dartmouth 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 Dartmouth
Exploring employment options in Dartmouth reveals that various types of employers seek entry-level UX designers. Major tech companies, though fewer in number, often recruit from top programs and utilize internship pipelines. Digital agencies may look for fresh talent through portfolio reviews, while in-house product teams at non-tech firms offer junior positions to entry-level candidates. To enhance starting pay in Massachusetts, aspiring designers should have a strong portfolio, ideally stemming from a Bachelor's degree in design or HCI, or consider pursuing a Master’s degree from renowned institutions. The first few years will involve employees weighing the trade-offs between working in high-paying FAANG roles with a narrow focus versus agencies that provide a broader scope of projects. It’s crucial for new graduates to stay adaptable, as the industry has seen significant shifts due to layoffs and evolving design methodologies, driving a need for versatility in skill sets, particularly in design systems and research proficiency.
More salary data for Dartmouth, MA:
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
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 Dartmouth. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Dartmouth 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