UX Designer Salary in Madison, AL: $53,555 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time ux designer in Madison, AL earns a median $53,555/year (≈ $25.74/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-1255). Once you factor in Madison's price level (12% below national, BEA RPP 87.9), that paycheck buys what $60,927 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.5% below the Alabama state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, a UX designer in Madison, Alabama, can expect a median annual salary of $53,555, significantly lower than the national average of $83,320, reflecting a difference of approximately 35.72%. The salary range for the role varies widely, from $31,062 at the lower 10th percentile to as much as $83,011 at the 90th percentile. These figures are derived from 2025 BLS data, projected to 2026, and adjusted for regional price levels, indicating a local market tailored to its cost of living. As Madison continues to develop its tech community, the salary structure reflects a trade-off between roles in high-paying companies and positions with broader responsibilities in smaller firms or agencies.
About the Madison Market
Salary estimated from Alabama average ($68,300) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $31,062 | $14.93 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $38,560 | $18.53 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $53,555 | $25.74 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $68,551 | $32.95 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $83,011 | $39.91 |
Median Salary Position
35.72% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Madison
In Madison, AL, the ux designer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $51,949 (2026 est.). At $53,555, the local median is 35.72% below the national median of $83,320.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Madison: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Madison UX Designer Pay Compares
Madison median: $53,555/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Madison Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama Average | $54,928 | -2.50% less |
| National Average | $83,320 | -35.72% less |
UX Designers in Madison, AL earn a median of $53,555 per year (2026 est.), which is 35.72% lower than the national median of $83,320 and 2.50% below the Alabama state average of $54,928.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Madison has a cost of living 12.10% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Madison, AL has a cost-of-living index of 87.9 (below the national average of 100). A ux designer earning $53,555 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $60,927 in an average-cost city — an effective 13.77% boost.
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2021 BLS Actual
$38,513
2025 BLS Actual
$50,136
2026 Current Est.
$53,555
2021–2027 Growth
+48.5%
Salary Trajectory for UX Designers in Madison (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $38,513 | Actual |
| 2022 | $40,128 | Actual |
| 2023 | $47,504 | Actual |
| 2024 | $58,534 | Actual |
| 2025 | $50,136 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $53,555 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $57,208 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Madison metropolitan area, the median ux designer salary grew 30.2% from $38,513 (2021) to $50,136 (2025). At a 6.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $57,208 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,695 (48.54%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Madison 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $31,062 – $38,560 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $38,560 – $53,555 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $53,555 – $68,551 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $68,551 – $83,011 |
UX salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual ux designer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
UX Designer Job Market in Madison
Despite a modest number of employed UX designers—nine currently in Madison—there is potential for growth, with the area displaying a projected annual growth rate of 6.82%. The cost of living index sits at 87.9, suggesting that while salaries may appear lower compared to national averages, purchasing power remains relatively strong for residents. Specific tech employers may offer more competitive salaries, especially those affiliated with larger entities or those involved in significant product launches. Factors influencing the earnings spectrum include the prestige of the company, the specialty of the role (research, product design, etc.), and the strength of an individual’s design portfolio. For those looking to maximize their salary, focusing on developing a robust portfolio with high-traffic applications and considering positions that involve equity or stock options can provide a significant advantage in this evolving job market.
More salary data for Madison, AL:
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
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 BLS reported a median annual salary of $50,136 for ux designersin the Madison metropolitan area. A 6.82% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Madison 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