UX Designer Salary in Kaneohe, HI: $74,082 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time ux designer in Kaneohe, HI earns a median $74,082/year (≈ $35.61/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-1255). Once you factor in Kaneohe's price level (19% above national, BEA RPP 119.3), that paycheck buys what $62,097 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.6% below the Hawaii state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the ux designer salary in Kaneohe, HI, is projected to reach a median of $74,082, which illustrates a competitive but challenging local market compared to the national median of $83,320. The salary range spans from $42,967 at the 10th percentile to $114,827 at the 90th percentile, suggesting that while entry-level positions may struggle to keep pace, experienced designers can achieve significant earnings. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS state-level data and adjusted for regional cost considerations, reflect the varying compensation structures based on whether designers choose to work for established tech giants or smaller agencies. Understanding the local job market dynamics is essential, particularly as designers consider their options between FAANG companies, digital product agencies, and in-house teams.
About the Kaneohe Market
Salary estimated from Hawaii average ($104,700) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $42,967 | $20.66 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $53,338 | $25.65 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $74,082 | $35.61 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $94,825 | $45.59 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $114,827 | $55.20 |
Median Salary Position
11.09% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Kaneohe
In Kaneohe, HI, the ux designer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $71,860 (2026 est.). At $74,082, the local median is 11.09% below the national median of $83,320.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Kaneohe: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Kaneohe UX Designer Pay Compares
Kaneohe median: $74,082/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Kaneohe Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Hawaii Average | $74,529 | -0.60% less |
| National Average | $83,320 | -11.09% less |
UX Designers in Kaneohe, HI earn a median of $74,082 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.09% lower than the national median of $83,320 and 0.60% below the Hawaii state average of $74,529.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Kaneohe has a cost of living 19.30% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Kaneohe, HI has a cost-of-living index of 119.3 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $74,082 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $62,097 — a 16.18% reduction.
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2021 BLS Actual
$53,274
2025 BLS Actual
$69,352
2026 Current Est.
$74,082
2021–2027 Growth
+48.5%
Salary Trajectory for UX Designers in Kaneohe (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $53,274 | Actual |
| 2022 | $55,508 | Actual |
| 2023 | $65,711 | Actual |
| 2024 | $124,121 | Actual |
| 2025 | $69,352 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $74,082 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $79,134 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Kaneohe metropolitan area, the median ux designer salary grew 30.2% from $53,274 (2021) to $69,352 (2025). At a 6.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $79,134 by 2027 — a total increase of $25,860 (48.54%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Kaneohe 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) | $42,967 – $53,338 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $53,338 – $74,082 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $74,082 – $94,825 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $94,825 – $114,827 |
UX salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual ux designer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
UX Designer Job Market in Kaneohe
The job landscape for ux designers in Kaneohe indicates a relatively small cohort, with only five designers currently employed locally. Given the area's cost-of-living index of 119.3, which is above the national average, purchasing power can be a concern for professionals in this field. While tech companies like FAANG often offer the highest salaries due to their robust equity packages and opportunities in specialized roles such as design systems, smaller agencies might provide broader experience but at a lower pay scale. To maximize their potential earnings, designers in Kaneohe should focus on building a strong portfolio that includes high-traffic applications, honing in on skills that align with in-demand specialties, and considering remote opportunities with companies based in higher-paying markets. Understanding these dynamics can help designers effectively strategize their career paths amidst the evolving landscape of 2026.
More salary data for Kaneohe, HI:
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 $69,352 for ux designersin the Kaneohe 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
Salary data for Kaneohe is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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