UX Designer Salary in Pelham, AL: $50,797 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time ux designer in Pelham, AL earns a median $50,797/year (≈ $24.42/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-1255). Once you factor in Pelham's price level (12% below national, BEA RPP 87.9), that paycheck buys what $57,790 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.5% below the Alabama state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Pelham, Alabama, UX designers can expect to earn a median annual salary of $50,797 in 2026, a figure notably lower than the national median of $83,320. The local salary range stretches from $29,462 at the lower 10th percentile to $78,736 at the 90th percentile. These projections, based on 2025 BLS data, reflect an area where design roles are largely influenced by employment structures at various tech companies, from FAANG giants to smaller agencies or in-house teams. The varying levels of pay demonstrate how specialization, company type, and the breadth of responsibilities can impact overall compensation and job opportunities for designers in Pelham.
About the Pelham Market
Salary estimated from Alabama average ($68,300) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $29,462 | $14.16 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $37,227 | $17.89 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $50,797 | $24.42 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $65,020 | $31.26 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $78,736 | $37.86 |
Median Salary Position
39.03% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Pelham
In Pelham, AL, the ux designer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $49,274 (2026 est.). At $50,797, the local median is 39.03% below the national median of $83,320.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Pelham: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Pelham UX Designer Pay Compares
Pelham median: $50,797/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Pelham Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama Average | $54,916 | -7.50% less |
| National Average | $83,320 | -39.03% less |
UX Designers in Pelham, AL earn a median of $50,797 per year (2026 est.), which is 39.03% lower than the national median of $83,320 and 7.50% below the Alabama state average of $54,916.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Pelham 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.
Pelham, AL has a cost-of-living index of 87.9 (below the national average of 100). A ux designer earning $50,797 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $57,790 in an average-cost city — an effective 13.77% boost.
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2021 BLS Actual
$36,530
2025 BLS Actual
$47,554
2026 Current Est.
$50,797
2021–2027 Growth
+48.5%
Salary Trajectory for UX Designers in Pelham (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $36,530 | Actual |
| 2022 | $38,061 | Actual |
| 2023 | $45,057 | Actual |
| 2024 | $55,519 | Actual |
| 2025 | $47,554 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $50,797 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $54,262 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Pelham metropolitan area, the median ux designer salary grew 30.2% from $36,530 (2021) to $47,554 (2025). At a 6.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $54,262 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,732 (48.54%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Pelham 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) | $29,462 – $37,227 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $37,227 – $50,797 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $50,797 – $65,020 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $65,020 – $78,736 |
UX salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual ux designer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
UX Designer Job Market in Pelham
With only four UX designers currently employed in Pelham, the job market remains relatively small yet stable. The cost-of-living index sits at 87.9, indicating that while designer salaries may be lower than national standards, the purchasing power in Pelham is less impacted by expenses. Employers that tend to offer higher pay in this region include established tech firms and design agencies that capitalize on complex project needs. The disparity in salaries is often driven by company stature, with higher compensation typically found in larger, tech-oriented firms as opposed to traditional sectors. To maximize earnings, aspiring designers should focus on building a strong portfolio that showcases experience with Figma and design systems, and consider diversifying their skill set to attract offers from both tech and agency environments.
More salary data for Pelham, 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 $47,554 for ux designersin the Pelham 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 Pelham 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