UX Designer Salary in District of Columbia: $77,712 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across District of Columbia's 1 metropolitan areas, the average median ux designer pay sits at $77,712/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 15-1255. Because District of Columbia sits at BEA RPP 117.0 (17% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $66,421 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Washington ($72,750).
In 2026, the average median salary for UX designers in the District of Columbia is projected to be $77,712. This figure is approximately 6.7% lower than the national median of $83,320. There is no salary variation among cities in the District, as Washington is both the highest and lowest paying city for UX designers at $77,712. This lack of difference may stem from the concentrated nature of the job market, where demand remains high due to the significant presence of government and technology firms. While there are no state licensing requirements or unique scope of practice laws affecting UX designers in the District, the demand is driven by factors such as the increasing reliance on digital services within federal agencies and private sector businesses. The projected growth rate for UX designer positions in the District is 6.82% annually, indicating a consistent demand for skilled professionals in this field. With a total of 1,900 UX designers employed in the area, the job market is steadily expanding, making it essential for potential candidates to stay updated on industry trends and skills. Overall, while salaries may fall below national averages, the strong demand and growth potential present significant opportunities for UX designers in the District of Columbia.
District of Columbia UX Designer Salary Range
Overall salary range in District of Columbia: $46,130 (lowest entry-level) to $136,829 (highest top earner)
District of Columbia vs National Average
District of Columbia ux designers earn 6.73% less than the national median ($-5,608/year difference).
District of Columbia UX Designer Salary Distribution (2026)
UX Designer salaries in District of Columbia range from $46,130 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $136,829 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $77,712. The District of Columbia median is $5,608 below the US national median of $83,320. The average hourly rate is $37.35/hr. Approximately 1,900 ux designers are employed across 1 cities.
2021 BLS Actual
$80,110
2025 BLS Actual
$72,750
2026 Current Est.
$77,712
2021–2027 Growth
+3.6%
Salary Trajectory for UX Designers in District of Columbia (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $80,110 | Actual |
| 2022 | $88,820 | Actual |
| 2023 | $96,260 | Actual |
| 2024 | $83,270 | Actual |
| 2025 | $72,750 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $77,712 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $83,011 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the District of Columbia metropolitan area, the median ux designer salary grew -9.2% from $80,110 (2021) to $72,750 (2025). At a 6.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $83,011 by 2027 — a total increase of $2,901 (3.62%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the District of Columbia 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 1 Highest Paying Cities in District of Columbia
Salary by Experience Level in District of Columbia
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $46,130 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $77,712 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $136,829 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across District of Columbia metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 1 Cities in District of Columbia
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washington | $77,712 |
More District of Columbia Salary Data
Explore More UX Designer Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
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How does District of Columbia ux designer pay compare to the national average?
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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
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 District of Columbia. State averages are employment-weighted across 1 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