UX Designer Salary in Arkansas: $48,476 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Arkansas's 21 metropolitan areas, the average median ux designer pay sits at $48,476/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 15-1255. Because Arkansas sits at BEA RPP 86.9 (13% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $55,784 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Jonesboro ($51,535), Fort Smith ($51,454), Jacksonville ($50,470).
The salary landscape for UX designers in Arkansas shows a significant disparity when compared to national averages. In 2026, the average median salary for UX designers in the state is projected at $48,476, which is 41.8% lower than the national median of $83,320. The highest paying city in Arkansas is Jonesboro, with an average salary of $55,050, while Conway ranks as the lowest at $43,120, creating a salary gap of $11,930 between these two locations. Several factors contribute to this difference in pay, including the local cost of living, the concentration of tech firms, and the demand for UX design services in particular regions. Notably, cities like Fort Smith at $54,963 and Bentonville at $53,647 also offer competitive salaries, indicating a growing need for skilled UX designers in urban areas. Arkansas does not have specific state licensing requirements for UX designers, which may influence job accessibility; however, the market demand is expected to grow at an annual rate of 6.82%, reflecting a positive outlook for employment opportunities in this field. As companies increasingly recognize the importance of user experience, the demand for qualified professionals is likely to strengthen job prospects across the state.
Arkansas UX Designer Salary Range
Overall salary range in Arkansas: $25,010 (lowest entry-level) to $115,647 (highest top earner)
Arkansas vs National Average
Arkansas ux designers earn 41.82% less than the national median ($-34,844/year difference).
Arkansas UX Designer Salary Distribution (2026)
UX Designer salaries in Arkansas range from $30,950 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $91,345 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $48,476. The Arkansas median is $34,844 below the US national median of $83,320. The average hourly rate is $23.31/hr. Approximately 263 ux designers are employed across 21 cities.
2021 BLS Actual
$41,601
2025 BLS Actual
$45,381
2026 Current Est.
$48,476
2021–2027 Growth
+24.5%
Salary Trajectory for UX Designers in Arkansas (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $41,601 | Actual |
| 2022 | $48,459 | Actual |
| 2023 | $57,785 | Actual |
| 2024 | $59,128 | Actual |
| 2025 | $45,381 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $48,476 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $51,782 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Arkansas metropolitan area, the median ux designer salary grew 9.1% from $41,601 (2021) to $45,381 (2025). At a 6.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $51,782 by 2027 — a total increase of $10,181 (24.47%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Arkansas 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Arkansas
Lowest Paying Cities in Arkansas
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Conway | $43,120 |
| North Little Rock | $43,405 |
| Little Rock | $44,056 |
| Fayetteville | $46,178 |
| Springdale | $46,900 |
Best Value Cities for UX Designers in Arkansas
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Arkansas cities offer the most purchasing power for ux designers.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jonesboro | $55,050 | 86.9 | $63,349 |
| Fort Smith | $54,963 | 86.9 | $63,249 |
| Jacksonville | $53,912 | 86.9 | $62,039 |
| Bentonville | $53,647 | 86.9 | $61,734 |
| Benton | $53,200 | 86.9 | $61,220 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Arkansas
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $30,950 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $48,476 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $91,345 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Arkansas metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 21 Cities in Arkansas
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jonesboro | $55,050 |
| 2 | Fort Smith | $54,963 |
| 3 | Jacksonville | $53,912 |
| 4 | Bentonville | $53,647 |
| 5 | Benton | $53,200 |
| 6 | Hot Springs | $53,149 |
| 7 | Paragould | $53,048 |
| 8 | Pine Bluff | $53,006 |
| 9 | Sherwood | $52,762 |
| 10 | Russellville | $52,483 |
| 11 | Cabot | $52,247 |
| 12 | Texarkana | $52,235 |
| 13 | Searcy | $51,701 |
| 14 | Bryant | $51,313 |
| 15 | Van Buren | $50,406 |
| 16 | Rogers | $46,934 |
| 17 | Springdale | $46,900 |
| 18 | Fayetteville | $46,178 |
| 19 | Little Rock | $44,056 |
| 20 | North Little Rock | $43,405 |
| 21 | Conway | $43,120 |
More Arkansas Salary Data
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced ux designers.
Explore More UX Designer Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do ux designers make in Arkansas in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for ux designers in Arkansas?
How does Arkansas ux designer pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level ux designer salary in Arkansas?
How many ux designers are employed in Arkansas?
Which Arkansas city offers the best value for ux designers?
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
Statewide 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. A 6.82% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 ux designer compensation across Arkansas. State averages are employment-weighted across 21 metro areas — larger metro areas with more ux designerscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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