Entry-Level UX Designer Salary in Burlington, VT: $30,837 (2026)
Quick Answer:New ux designers entering the Burlington, VT job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $30,837 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 15-1255, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Burlington's local price level (BEA RPP 100.9 — 1% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $30,547 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($61,665) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
For new graduates entering the UX design field in Burlington, VT, the starting pay can greatly vary. 2026 projections indicate that salaries for entry-level positions could begin around $30,837, which is substantially below the city median salary of $61,665. This substantial gap suggests that those just starting in their careers may face a challenging financial landscape. However, there is room for growth, as entry-level designers can see their salaries rise to $48,062 at the 25th percentile and potentially reach the median within a few years, placing Burlington at a reasonably favorable position in the market for new grads looking to build their careers.
Career Earnings Timeline in Burlington
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 Burlington
Entry-level ux designers in Burlington, VT typically start between $30,837 and $48,062 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $98,004 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $61,665 — 25.99% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average user experience design program cost in Vermont of $68,000 represents just 220.51% of the starting ux designer pay ($30,837/year) in Burlington. 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 Burlington
- 1Research the Burlington market: entry-level ux designer pay ranges from $30,837 to $48,062, 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 VT often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Burlington, 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 Burlington for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Burlington'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 Burlington is $98,004 ( 317.81%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $30,837, experienced hygienists can earn up to $128,841.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2021 BLS Actual
$37,320
2025 BLS Actual
$28,868
2026 Current Est.
$30,837
2021–2027 Growth
+-11.7%
Salary Trajectory for UX Designers in Burlington (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $37,320 | Actual |
| 2022 | $38,430 | Actual |
| 2023 | $40,400 | Actual |
| 2024 | $49,920 | Actual |
| 2025 | $28,868 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $30,837 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $32,940 | Projected |
Entry-level ux designer compensation (10th percentile) in Burlington, VT grew -22.6% over 5 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $37,320 in 2021 to $28,868 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $32,940. New graduates entering the Burlington job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Burlington 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 Burlington
Employers in Burlington offer various pathways for securing a role as a new UX designer. Local tech companies and larger firms often participate in university recruiting, providing internships that can lead to full-time opportunities. Digital agencies, on the other hand, look for strong portfolios during hiring, so recent graduates should work to showcase their best projects. Acquiring credentials, such as a Bachelor's in design or HCI, can be beneficial—however, a standout portfolio often carries more weight than the degree itself. In a job market where many tech companies are continuously refining their design teams post-layoffs, entry-level designers specializing in areas like design systems or gaining proficiency in tools like Figma will find their skills in high demand. The continuous advancement in UX design technology signifies that those who invest in developing their expertise will see realistic salary growth, aiming toward higher earnings as they gain experience in these first critical years.
More salary data for Burlington, VT:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the starting salary for ux designers in Burlington in 2026?
How fast do ux designer salaries grow in Burlington?
Is user experience design school worth it in Burlington?
What do new ux designers make right out of school in Burlington?
How do I become a ux designer in Vermont?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Vermont
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 Burlington. 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