UX Designer Salary in Athens, GA: $41,948 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time ux designer in Athens, GA earns a median $41,948/year (≈ $20.17/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-1255). Once you factor in Athens's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.3), that paycheck buys what $44,940 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 27.9% below the Georgia state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Athens, Georgia, the projected pay for a UX designer stands at a median annual salary of $41,948 in 2026, significantly lower than the national median of $83,320. The salary range for these professionals spans from $28,786 at the 10th percentile to $67,425 at the 90th percentile, indicating a variable job market where earnings can differ greatly depending on the employer type and position. Companies range from tech giants, which can offer higher salaries and equity options, to boutique design agencies that might emphasize versatility and project variety over compensation. The data derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reflect the local dynamics of Athens’s job market, which is characterized by its blend of tech and traditional businesses.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $28,786 | $13.84 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $28,786 | $13.84 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $41,948 | $20.17 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $65,903 | $31.68 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $67,425 | $32.42 |
Median Salary Position
49.65% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Athens
In Athens, GA, the ux designer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $38,639 (2026 est.). At $41,948, the local median is 49.65% below the national median of $83,320.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Athens: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Athens UX Designer Pay Compares
Athens median: $41,948/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Athens Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Georgia Average | $58,181 | -27.90% less |
| National Average | $83,320 | -49.65% less |
UX Designers in Athens, GA earn a median of $41,948 per year (2026 est.), which is 49.65% lower than the national median of $83,320 and 27.90% below the Georgia state average of $58,181.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Athens has a cost of living 6.66% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Athens, GA has a cost-of-living index of 93.343 (below the national average of 100). A ux designer earning $41,948 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $44,940 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.13% boost.
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2021 BLS Actual
$30,166
2025 BLS Actual
$39,270
2026 Current Est.
$41,948
2021–2027 Growth
+48.5%
Salary Trajectory for UX Designers in Athens (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $30,166 | Actual |
| 2022 | $31,431 | Actual |
| 2023 | $58,260 | Actual |
| 2024 | $59,360 | Actual |
| 2025 | $39,270 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $41,948 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $44,809 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Athens metropolitan area, the median ux designer salary grew 30.2% from $30,166 (2021) to $39,270 (2025). At a 6.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $44,809 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,643 (48.54%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Athens 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) | $28,786 – $28,786 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $28,786 – $41,948 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $41,948 – $65,903 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $65,903 – $67,425 |
UX salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual ux designer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
UX Designer Job Market in Athens
Despite the lower median salary compared to national standards, the local job market for UX designers in Athens appears sustainable, with around 80 professionals employed in the area. The cost of living index stands at 93.343, suggesting that living expenses are below the national average, which can improve overall purchasing power for those earning a UX designer salary in Athens. Employers that tend to offer higher pay include tech companies like those in the FAANG category, which prioritize candidates with strong portfolios and experience in design systems. On the other hand, digital agencies may pay less but can offer broader project exposure. Factors influencing pay discrepancies include the type of company, redundancy projects, and the strength of a candidate's portfolio. For designers in Athens, focusing on portfolio development in high-demand specialties and considering transitions to tech firms could be strategies for enhancing earning potential.
More salary data for Athens, GA:
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 $39,270 for ux designersin the Athens 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, 3-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