Entry-Level UX Designer Salary in Collierville, TN: $28,277 (2026)
Quick Answer:New ux designers entering the Collierville, TN job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $28,277 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 15-1255, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Collierville's local price level (BEA RPP 91.8 — 8% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $30,803 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($48,755) 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 Collierville, TN, can expect to earn an entry-level salary of approximately $28,277, which significantly lags behind the area's median annual salary of $48,755. For recent graduates, the upward mobility in the first few years is promising, with starting pay projected to rise to around $35,103 at the 25th percentile and potentially reaching the median within three to five years, reflecting the increasing demand for skilled UX designers. While Collierville may not offer the same high starting salaries as larger tech hubs, the area presents a feasible market for new talent, especially considering the expected annual growth rate of 6.82% in the profession, aligning with broader state and national trends.
About the Collierville Market
Salary estimated from Tennessee average ($58,800) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Collierville
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 Collierville
Entry-level ux designers in Collierville, TN typically start between $28,277 and $35,103 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $47,293 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $48,755 — 41.48% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average user experience design program cost in Tennessee of $55,000 represents just 194.50% of the starting ux designer pay ($28,277/year) in Collierville. 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 Collierville
- 1Research the Collierville market: entry-level ux designer pay ranges from $28,277 to $35,103, 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 TN often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Collierville, 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 Collierville for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Collierville'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 Collierville is $47,293 ( 167.25%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $28,277, experienced hygienists can earn up to $75,570.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2021 BLS Actual
$18,986
2025 BLS Actual
$26,472
2026 Current Est.
$28,277
2021–2027 Growth
+59.1%
Salary Trajectory for UX Designers in Collierville (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $18,986 | Actual |
| 2022 | $21,227 | Actual |
| 2023 | $23,744 | Actual |
| 2024 | $31,377 | Actual |
| 2025 | $26,472 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $28,277 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $30,206 | Projected |
Entry-level ux designer compensation (10th percentile) in Collierville, TN grew 39.4% over 5 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $18,986 in 2021 to $26,472 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $30,206. New graduates entering the Collierville job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Collierville 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 Collierville
Prospective employers for entry-level UX designers in Collierville span various industries, but many openings are found in smaller tech firms and in-house teams outside of traditional tech giants. Nationally recognized companies like FAANG often recruit fresh talent from prestigious design programs, integrating them into structured internship paths that can lead to full-time offers, while local digital agencies may focus on portfolio reviews to discover promising candidates. For those aiming to enhance their earning potential in TN, holding a degree in design or a related field is critical, but building a compelling portfolio that showcases fluency with tools like Figma and Adobe Creative Suite can have an even more significant impact. As the job market has shifted post-2023, layoffs have reminded many of the industry's volatility; thus, aspiring designers must be adaptable and possibly explore contract opportunities to diversify their experience, particularly as agencies often provide a broader range of project exposure at entry-level salaries that still offer room for growth.
More salary data for Collierville, TN:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the starting salary for ux designers in Collierville in 2026?
How fast do ux designer salaries grow in Collierville?
Is user experience design school worth it in Collierville?
What do new ux designers make right out of school in Collierville?
How do I become a ux designer in Tennessee?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Tennessee
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 Collierville. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Collierville 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