UX Designer Salary in Louisville, KY: $60,839 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time ux designer in Louisville, KY earns a median $60,839/year (≈ $29.25/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-1255). Once you factor in Louisville's price level (11% below national, BEA RPP 89.3), that paycheck buys what $68,129 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 9.0% above the Kentucky state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the projected median annual salary for UX designers in Louisville, Kentucky, stands at $60,839, significantly lower than the national median of $83,320. With salaries ranging from $35,287 at the 10th percentile to $94,301 at the 90th percentile, local estimates indicate a diverse pay landscape. This variation is indicative of a market absorbing the impact of recent layoffs in the design sector, adjusting to a reality where demand remains steady despite disruptions in 2023 and 2024. These estimates, derived from BLS state-level data and adjusted for regional price parities, highlight a local ecosystem that is reconfiguring amid broader economic shifts.
About the Louisville Market
Salary estimated from Kentucky average ($80,900) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $35,287 | $16.96 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $43,805 | $21.06 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $60,839 | $29.25 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $77,874 | $37.44 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $94,301 | $45.33 |
Median Salary Position
26.98% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Louisville
In Louisville, KY, the ux designer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $59,014 (2026 est.). At $60,839, the local median is 26.98% below the national median of $83,320.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Louisville: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Louisville UX Designer Pay Compares
Louisville median: $60,839/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Louisville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Kentucky Average | $55,816 | +9.00% more |
| National Average | $83,320 | -26.98% less |
UX Designers in Louisville, KY earn a median of $60,839 per year (2026 est.), which is 26.98% lower than the national median of $83,320 and 9.00% above the Kentucky state average of $55,816.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Louisville has a cost of living 10.70% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Louisville, KY has a cost-of-living index of 89.3 (below the national average of 100). A ux designer earning $60,839 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $68,129 in an average-cost city — an effective 11.98% boost.
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2021 BLS Actual
$43,751
2025 BLS Actual
$56,955
2026 Current Est.
$60,839
2021–2027 Growth
+48.5%
Salary Trajectory for UX Designers in Louisville (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $43,751 | Actual |
| 2022 | $45,586 | Actual |
| 2023 | $53,965 | Actual |
| 2024 | $78,763 | Actual |
| 2025 | $56,955 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $60,839 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $64,989 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Louisville metropolitan area, the median ux designer salary grew 30.2% from $43,751 (2021) to $56,955 (2025). At a 6.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $64,989 by 2027 — a total increase of $21,238 (48.54%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Louisville 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) | $35,287 – $43,805 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $43,805 – $60,839 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $60,839 – $77,874 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $77,874 – $94,301 |
UX salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual ux designer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
UX Designer Job Market in Louisville
The job market for UX designers in Louisville features approximately 132 individuals currently employed, underscoring a localized demand for design roles. With a cost-of-living index of 89.3, professionals here enjoy a more favorable purchasing power compared to national averages. Among local employers, tech giants and consulting firms tend to offer the highest salaries, followed closely by robust in-house design teams. The disparity in pay scales can often be attributed to company stature, specialization in design practice, and the strength of an individual’s portfolio—especially for those adept in areas like design systems and user research. For designers looking to maximize their earnings in Louisville, focusing on building a strong portfolio and staying adaptive to the needs of high-paying firms can lead to greater opportunities.
More salary data for Louisville, KY:
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 $56,955 for ux designersin the Louisville 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 Louisville 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