UX Designer Salary in Denver, CO: $78,778 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time ux designer in Denver, CO earns a median $78,778/year (≈ $37.87/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-1255). Once you factor in Denver's price level (6% above national, BEA RPP 105.8), that paycheck buys what $74,472 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 20.1% above the Colorado state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, UX designers in Denver, Colorado, can expect a median annual salary of $78,778, which is approximately 5.45% lower than the national median of $83,320. The salary range is quite broad, with entry-level positions starting at around $48,309 and experienced professionals earning up to $132,022, reflecting the varying demands and expertise levels within this role. Data derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys indicates that Denver's market offers distinct career tracks. Designers aiming for the individual contributor route can earn competitive salaries, while those transitioning into management may peak at slightly lower levels, particularly within local firms. This dynamic underscores the importance of portfolio strength and specialty in influencing salary outcomes in the Denver market.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $48,309 | $23.22 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $76,205 | $36.64 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $78,778 | $37.87 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $105,664 | $50.80 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $132,022 | $63.47 |
Median Salary Position
5.45% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Denver
In Denver, CO, the ux designer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $83,713 (2026 est.). At $78,778, the local median is 5.45% below the national median of $83,320.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Denver: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Denver UX Designer Pay Compares
Denver median: $78,778/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Denver Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Colorado Average | $65,593 | +20.10% more |
| National Average | $83,320 | -5.45% less |
UX Designers in Denver, CO earn a median of $78,778 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.45% lower than the national median of $83,320 and 20.10% above the Colorado state average of $65,593.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Denver has a cost of living 5.78% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Denver, CO has a cost-of-living index of 105.782 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $78,778 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $74,472 — a 5.47% reduction.
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2021 BLS Actual
$61,640
2025 BLS Actual
$73,748
2026 Current Est.
$78,778
2021–2027 Growth
+36.5%
Salary Trajectory for UX Designers in Denver (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $61,640 | Actual |
| 2022 | $87,980 | Actual |
| 2023 | $99,890 | Actual |
| 2024 | $104,810 | Actual |
| 2025 | $73,748 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $78,778 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $84,150 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Denver metropolitan area, the median ux designer salary grew 19.6% from $61,640 (2021) to $73,748 (2025). At a 6.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $84,150 by 2027 — a total increase of $22,510 (36.52%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Denver 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) | $48,309 – $76,205 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $76,205 – $78,778 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $78,778 – $105,664 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $105,664 – $132,022 |
UX salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual ux designer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
UX Designer Job Market in Denver
The job market for UX designers in Denver remains robust, with approximately 2,120 professionals employed in this field. However, this strong employment figure is tempered by the local cost of living index, which stands at 105.782, indicating that living costs are slightly above the national average. This factor impacts the actual purchasing power of earnings for UX designer pay in Denver, CO. Among the top employers, major tech companies like FAANG and others such as Microsoft and Adobe tend to offer the most competitive compensation packages, bolstered by stock options and bonuses. Other factors that contribute to the wide pay spectrum include company type, area of specialization, and the strength of a designer’s portfolio. Positioning oneself strategically within the job market—be it through seeking roles at recognized firms or cultivating a specialized skill set—can significantly enhance earning potential.
More salary data for Denver, CO:
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 $73,748 for ux designersin the Denver 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
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