UX Designer Salary in Kansas: $56,656 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Kansas's 22 metropolitan areas, the average median ux designer pay sits at $56,656/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 15-1255. Because Kansas sits at BEA RPP 90.9 (9% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $62,328 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Kansas City ($57,129), Overland Park ($54,046), Lawrence ($53,772).
In 2026, the average median salary for UX designers in Kansas is projected to be $56,656, significantly lower than the national median of $83,320, reflecting a 32.0% gap. Kansas City offers the highest salary at $61,025, while Emporia ranks as the lowest, with salaries at $52,441. This disparity can be attributed to factors such as local demand for design talent, the presence of tech companies, and the socioeconomic environment that affects overall compensation trends. Kansas does not have specific state licensing requirements for UX designers, which allows for a wider pool of talent entering the field. However, the job market remains strong, with a projected growth rate of 6.82% annually, indicating increasing demand for skilled UX professionals. The top cities for UX designers in Kansas include Overland Park at $57,732, Lawrence at $57,439, Topeka at $57,351, and Manhattan at $57,120. Understanding the local industry landscape and building a strong portfolio can enhance employment prospects in this evolving market.
Kansas UX Designer Salary Range
Overall salary range in Kansas: $30,416 (lowest entry-level) to $107,082 (highest top earner)
Kansas vs National Average
Kansas ux designers earn 32% less than the national median ($-26,664/year difference).
Kansas UX Designer Salary Distribution (2026)
UX Designer salaries in Kansas range from $33,052 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $89,870 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $56,656. The Kansas median is $26,664 below the US national median of $83,320. The average hourly rate is $27.24/hr. Approximately 278 ux designers are employed across 22 cities.
2021 BLS Actual
$30,830
2025 BLS Actual
$53,039
2026 Current Est.
$56,656
2021–2027 Growth
+96.3%
Salary Trajectory for UX Designers in Kansas (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $30,830 | Actual |
| 2022 | $69,260 | Actual |
| 2023 | $59,729 | Actual |
| 2024 | $59,060 | Actual |
| 2025 | $53,039 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $56,656 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $60,520 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Kansas metropolitan area, the median ux designer salary grew 72.0% from $30,830 (2021) to $53,039 (2025). At a 6.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $60,520 by 2027 — a total increase of $29,690 (96.30%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Kansas 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 Kansas
Lowest Paying Cities in Kansas
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Emporia | $52,441 |
| Gardner | $52,676 |
| Liberal | $52,978 |
| Hays | $53,184 |
| Prairie Village | $53,342 |
Best Value Cities for UX Designers in Kansas
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Kansas cities offer the most purchasing power for ux designers.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kansas City | $61,025 | 90.9 | $67,134 |
| Wichita | $56,810 | 88.946 | $63,870 |
| Overland Park | $57,732 | 90.9 | $63,512 |
| Lawrence | $57,439 | 90.9 | $63,189 |
| Topeka | $57,351 | 90.9 | $63,092 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Kansas
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $33,052 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $56,656 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $89,870 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Kansas metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 22 Cities in Kansas
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kansas City | $61,025 |
| 2 | Overland Park | $57,732 |
| 3 | Lawrence | $57,439 |
| 4 | Topeka | $57,351 |
| 5 | Manhattan | $57,120 |
| 6 | Olathe | $56,998 |
| 7 | Lenexa | $56,859 |
| 8 | Wichita | $56,810 |
| 9 | Garden City | $56,296 |
| 10 | Derby | $56,014 |
| 11 | Hutchinson | $55,569 |
| 12 | Leavenworth | $55,552 |
| 13 | Shawnee | $55,374 |
| 14 | Salina | $54,965 |
| 15 | Leawood | $54,661 |
| 16 | Dodge City | $53,740 |
| 17 | Junction City | $53,568 |
| 18 | Prairie Village | $53,342 |
| 19 | Hays | $53,184 |
| 20 | Liberal | $52,978 |
| 21 | Gardner | $52,676 |
| 22 | Emporia | $52,441 |
More Kansas Salary Data
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced ux designers.
Explore More UX Designer Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do ux designers make in Kansas in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for ux designers in Kansas?
How does Kansas ux designer pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level ux designer salary in Kansas?
How many ux designers are employed in Kansas?
Which Kansas 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 Kansas. State averages are employment-weighted across 22 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