Entry-Level UX Designer Salary in Scranton, PA: $28,850 (2026)
Quick Answer:New ux designers entering the Scranton, PA job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $28,850 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 15-1255, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Scranton's local price level (BEA RPP 93.6 — 6% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $30,837 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($54,943) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
The starting ux designer salary in Scranton, Pennsylvania, provides new graduates with a realistic entry point into the industry, with an estimated P10 income of $28,850 in 2026. This figure sits well below the overall median salary for this role in the city, which is projected to be $54,943, highlighting a substantial gap that entry-level designers can expect at the beginning of their careers. However, as new designers gain experience and develop their skills, there’s potential for growth; reaching the P25 level of $43,807 within the first few years is a common goal amid a projected growth rate of 6.82% annually. For recent grads looking to launch their careers, Scranton presents a manageable market with opportunities available, particularly for those well-equipped with modern design tools like Figma.
Career Earnings Timeline in Scranton
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 Scranton
Entry-level ux designers in Scranton, PA typically start between $28,850 and $43,807 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $74,555 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $54,943 — 34.06% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average user experience design program cost in Pennsylvania of $92,000 represents just 318.89% of the starting ux designer pay ($28,850/year) in Scranton. 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 Scranton
- 1Research the Scranton market: entry-level ux designer pay ranges from $28,850 to $43,807, 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 PA often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Scranton, 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 Scranton for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Scranton's below-average 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 Scranton is $74,555 ( 258.42%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $28,850, experienced hygienists can earn up to $103,405.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2021 BLS Actual
$30,520
2025 BLS Actual
$27,008
2026 Current Est.
$28,850
2021–2027 Growth
+1.0%
Salary Trajectory for UX Designers in Scranton (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $30,520 | Actual |
| 2022 | $20,530 | Actual |
| 2023 | $38,030 | Actual |
| 2024 | $39,650 | Actual |
| 2025 | $27,008 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $28,850 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $30,818 | Projected |
Entry-level ux designer compensation (10th percentile) in Scranton, PA grew -11.5% over 5 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $30,520 in 2021 to $27,008 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $30,818. New graduates entering the Scranton job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Scranton 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 Scranton
For those eyeing entry-level roles in Scranton, several key employers typically recruit new graduates in the ux design field. Technology companies and digital agencies often seek fresh talent from reputable design programs and leverage internship pipelines for recruitment. While big names like Microsoft and Adobe may skim the top of the talent pool, local firms also hire junior designers, valuing varied portfolios over specific degrees. Candidates equipped with a bachelor's degree in a relevant field and a portfolio demonstrating proficiency in design tools, especially Figma, tend to command better starting compensation. Early in a career, designers face a choice between the narrower, high-pay roles offered by FAANG companies and the broader project variety found in agencies. Considering the layoffs that impacted the tech sector in 2023 and 2024, emerging designers might see increased competition as companies continue to adapt, emphasizing the importance of building a strong portfolio and gaining diverse experience from the outset.
More salary data for Scranton, PA:
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 Scranton. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 5-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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