UX Designer Salary in Colorado: $80,868 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Colorado's 32 metropolitan areas, the average median ux designer pay sits at $80,868/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 15-1255. Because Colorado sits at BEA RPP 105.0 (5% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $77,017 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Boulder ($104,925), Centennial ($74,424), Denver ($73,748).
The landscape for UX designer salaries in Colorado shows a median figure of $80,868 for 2026, which is slightly below the national average of $83,320, representing a 2.9% decrease. Boulder stands out with the highest average salary at $112,081, while Golden displays the lowest at $60,392. This significant salary gap of $51,689 can be attributed to varying costs of living, the concentration of tech companies, and demand for skilled professionals in different regions. Colorado does not impose state licensing requirements for UX designers, which allows for a broader entry into the field. However, the scope of practice is evolving as the industry matures and companies seek professionals who can adapt to changing technologies. The demand for UX designers is projected to grow at an annual rate of 6.82%, highlighting a positive outlook for job seekers. Major metropolitan areas, such as Centennial ($79,500), Denver ($78,778), Aurora ($77,047), and Fort Collins ($74,612), reflect this demand. Overall, those entering UX design in Colorado can expect a dynamic job market, with salaries that adapt based on regional economic conditions and industry growth.
Colorado UX Designer Salary Range
Overall salary range in Colorado: $31,702 (lowest entry-level) to $167,817 (highest top earner)
Colorado vs National Average
Colorado ux designers earn 2.94% less than the national median ($-2,452/year difference).
Colorado UX Designer Salary Distribution (2026)
UX Designer salaries in Colorado range from $48,251 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $131,667 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $80,868. The Colorado median is $2,452 below the US national median of $83,320. The average hourly rate is $38.88/hr. Approximately 2,989 ux designers are employed across 32 cities.
2021 BLS Actual
$61,693
2025 BLS Actual
$75,705
2026 Current Est.
$80,868
2021–2027 Growth
+40.0%
Salary Trajectory for UX Designers in Colorado (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $61,693 | Actual |
| 2022 | $92,149 | Actual |
| 2023 | $102,418 | Actual |
| 2024 | $111,955 | Actual |
| 2025 | $75,705 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $80,868 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $86,383 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Colorado metropolitan area, the median ux designer salary grew 22.7% from $61,693 (2021) to $75,705 (2025). At a 6.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $86,383 by 2027 — a total increase of $24,690 (40.02%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Colorado 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 Colorado
Lowest Paying Cities in Colorado
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Golden | $60,392 |
| Evans | $60,767 |
| Louisville | $61,122 |
| Durango | $61,482 |
| Steamboat Springs | $61,872 |
Best Value Cities for UX Designers in Colorado
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Colorado cities offer the most purchasing power for ux designers.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boulder | $112,081 | 105.202 | $106,539 |
| Centennial | $79,500 | 105 | $75,714 |
| Denver | $78,778 | 105.782 | $74,472 |
| Fort Collins | $74,612 | 101.128 | $73,780 |
| Aurora | $77,047 | 105 | $73,378 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Colorado
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $48,251 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $80,868 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $131,667 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Colorado metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 32 Cities in Colorado
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Boulder | $112,081 |
| 2 | Centennial | $79,500 |
| 3 | Denver | $78,778 |
| 4 | Aurora | $77,047 |
| 5 | Fort Collins | $74,612 |
| 6 | Loveland | $72,823 |
| 7 | Colorado Springs | $68,181 |
| 8 | Arvada | $67,184 |
| 9 | Thornton | $66,644 |
| 10 | Westminster | $65,982 |
| 11 | Pueblo | $65,976 |
| 12 | Lakewood | $65,663 |
| 13 | Greeley | $65,128 |
| 14 | Parker | $65,038 |
| 15 | Erie | $64,921 |
| 16 | Windsor | $64,759 |
| 17 | Castle Rock | $64,634 |
| 18 | Broomfield | $64,612 |
| 19 | Longmont | $64,592 |
| 20 | Englewood | $64,096 |
| 21 | Commerce City | $63,651 |
| 22 | Lafayette | $63,500 |
| 23 | Wheat Ridge | $63,134 |
| 24 | Brighton | $62,543 |
| 25 | Littleton | $62,335 |
| 26 | Fountain | $62,298 |
| 27 | Northglenn | $62,238 |
| 28 | Steamboat Springs | $61,872 |
| 29 | Durango | $61,482 |
| 30 | Louisville | $61,122 |
| 31 | Evans | $60,767 |
| 32 | Golden | $60,392 |
More Colorado Salary Data
Compare Cities in Colorado
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Frequently Asked Questions
How much do ux designers make in Colorado in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for ux designers in Colorado?
How does Colorado ux designer pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level ux designer salary in Colorado?
How many ux designers are employed in Colorado?
Which Colorado 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 Colorado. State averages are employment-weighted across 32 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