UX Designer Salary in Kentucky: $59,673 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Kentucky's 21 metropolitan areas, the average median ux designer pay sits at $59,673/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 15-1255. Because Kentucky sits at BEA RPP 89.3 (11% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $66,823 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Louisville/Jefferson County ($57,210), Louisville ($56,955), Lexington ($55,943).
The estimated average median salary for UX designers in Kentucky in 2026 is $59,673, which reflects a significant gap when compared to the national median of $83,320, placing Kentucky at 28.4% below the national average. The highest-paying city in the state is Louisville/Jefferson County, where salaries are projected to reach $61,112, while Murray ranks as the lowest at $52,193, resulting in a salary difference of $8,919. Factors contributing to this disparity include local market demand, cost of living variations, and the size of tech industries in these areas. In Kentucky, there are minimal state licensing requirements for UX designers, which generally makes it easier to enter the field. The state's demand for UX professionals is driven by the increasing integration of technology in various sectors. With a projected growth rate of 6.82%, the outlook for employment opportunities in this field remains positive, reflecting a rising recognition of the importance of user-centered design. Total employment for UX designers in the state stands at 666, with key cities projected to perform as follows: Louisville/Jefferson County at $61,112, Louisville at $60,839, Lexington at $59,758, Owensboro at $56,260, and Independence at $55,362. This trend suggests continued interest in and investment in digital products and services across Kentucky.
Kentucky UX Designer Salary Range
Overall salary range in Kentucky: $30,677 (lowest entry-level) to $108,764 (highest top earner)
Kentucky vs National Average
Kentucky ux designers earn 28.38% less than the national median ($-23,647/year difference).
Kentucky UX Designer Salary Distribution (2026)
UX Designer salaries in Kentucky range from $40,682 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $97,486 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $59,673. The Kentucky median is $23,647 below the US national median of $83,320. The average hourly rate is $28.69/hr. Approximately 666 ux designers are employed across 21 cities.
2021 BLS Actual
$59,620
2025 BLS Actual
$55,863
2026 Current Est.
$59,673
2021–2027 Growth
+6.9%
Salary Trajectory for UX Designers in Kentucky (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $59,620 | Actual |
| 2022 | $65,005 | Actual |
| 2023 | $102,433 | Actual |
| 2024 | $72,090 | Actual |
| 2025 | $55,863 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $59,673 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $63,742 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Kentucky metropolitan area, the median ux designer salary grew -6.3% from $59,620 (2021) to $55,863 (2025). At a 6.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $63,742 by 2027 — a total increase of $4,122 (6.91%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Kentucky 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 Kentucky
Lowest Paying Cities in Kentucky
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Murray | $52,193 |
| Jeffersontown | $52,975 |
| Paducah | $53,040 |
| Ashland | $53,087 |
| Madisonville | $53,162 |
Best Value Cities for UX Designers in Kentucky
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Kentucky cities offer the most purchasing power for ux designers.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Louisville | $60,839 | 89.3 | $68,129 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County | $61,112 | 93.074 | $65,660 |
| Lexington | $59,758 | 92.889 | $64,333 |
| Owensboro | $56,260 | 89.3 | $63,001 |
| Independence | $55,362 | 89.3 | $61,996 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Kentucky
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $40,682 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $59,673 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $97,486 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Kentucky metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 21 Cities in Kentucky
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Louisville/Jefferson County | $61,112 |
| 2 | Louisville | $60,839 |
| 3 | Lexington | $59,758 |
| 4 | Owensboro | $56,260 |
| 5 | Independence | $55,362 |
| 6 | Bowling Green | $55,310 |
| 7 | Florence | $55,296 |
| 8 | Covington | $55,063 |
| 9 | Nicholasville | $54,959 |
| 10 | Richmond | $54,946 |
| 11 | Frankfort | $54,664 |
| 12 | Henderson | $54,573 |
| 13 | Elizabethtown | $54,535 |
| 14 | Hopkinsville | $54,379 |
| 15 | Radcliff | $53,549 |
| 16 | Georgetown | $53,361 |
| 17 | Madisonville | $53,162 |
| 18 | Ashland | $53,087 |
| 19 | Paducah | $53,040 |
| 20 | Jeffersontown | $52,975 |
| 21 | Murray | $52,193 |
More Kentucky Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore ux designer hourly pay in Kentucky cities.
Entry Level
Starting salaries for new ux designers.
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 Kentucky in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for ux designers in Kentucky?
How does Kentucky ux designer pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level ux designer salary in Kentucky?
How many ux designers are employed in Kentucky?
Which Kentucky 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 Kentucky. State averages are employment-weighted across 21 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