UX Designer Salary in Wichita, KS: $56,810 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time ux designer in Wichita, KS earns a median $56,810/year (≈ $27.31/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-1255). Once you factor in Wichita's price level (11% below national, BEA RPP 88.9), that paycheck buys what $63,870 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.0% above the Kansas state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Wichita, Kansas, offers a median annual salary of $56,810 for UX designers in 2026, which falls significantly below the national average of $83,320, marking a difference of approximately 31.82%. The salary range for UX designers in the area varies markedly, extending from $34,538 for entry-level positions in the 10th percentile to $107,082 at the 90th percentile for experienced professionals. This data is derived from official BLS OEWS surveys, reflecting the nuanced landscape of compensation in this city. The decision to work in a corporate environment, such as with a tech giant or a major service firm, versus pursuing freelance gigs or agency roles can greatly influence earning potential. Those looking to maximize their earnings in Wichita may gravitate more towards established tech firms that are present in other regional hubs, as local companies often provide diverse project opportunities but may not match the salaries seen in larger markets.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $34,538 | $16.60 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $41,556 | $19.99 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $56,810 | $27.31 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $74,580 | $35.86 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $107,082 | $51.49 |
Median Salary Position
31.82% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Wichita
In Wichita, KS, the ux designer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $72,544 (2026 est.). At $56,810, the local median is 31.82% below the national median of $83,320.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Wichita: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Wichita UX Designer Pay Compares
Wichita median: $56,810/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Wichita Pays |
|---|---|---|
| National Average | $83,320 | -31.82% less |
UX Designers in Wichita, KS earn a median of $56,810 per year (2026 est.), which is 31.82% lower than the national median of $83,320.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Wichita has a cost of living 11.05% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Wichita, KS has a cost-of-living index of 88.946 (below the national average of 100). A ux designer earning $56,810 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $63,870 in an average-cost city — an effective 12.43% boost.
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2021 BLS Actual
$30,830
2025 BLS Actual
$53,183
2026 Current Est.
$56,810
2021–2027 Growth
+96.8%
Salary Trajectory for UX Designers in Wichita (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 | $67,050 | Actual |
| 2024 | $68,810 | Actual |
| 2025 | $53,183 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $56,810 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $60,685 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Wichita metropolitan area, the median ux designer salary grew 72.5% from $30,830 (2021) to $53,183 (2025). At a 6.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $60,685 by 2027 — a total increase of $29,855 (96.84%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Wichita 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) | $34,538 – $41,556 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $41,556 – $56,810 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $56,810 – $74,580 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $74,580 – $107,082 |
UX salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual ux designer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
UX Designer Job Market in Wichita
At present, there are about 30 UX designers employed in Wichita, which highlights a modest local job market for this specialized field. The cost of living index for Wichita stands at 88.946, indicating that the overall living expenses are below the national average, thus potentially enhancing the effective take-home pay for UX professionals. Companies that typically offer higher compensation in the region include established tech firms and consulting agencies, where salaries can reflect the tier of the employer. Generally, variables such as company stature, specialization within UX (like research versus product design), and the strength of one’s portfolio significantly affect the range in pay. To enhance one’s earning potential, designers can focus on building a robust portfolio showcasing high-traffic applications, pursuing advanced roles within organizations, or considering freelance opportunities that leverage their expertise in tools like Figma.
More salary data for Wichita, KS:
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 $53,183 for ux designersin the Wichita 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