UX Designer Salary in Murray, KY: $52,193 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time ux designer in Murray, KY earns a median $52,193/year (≈ $25.09/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-1255). Once you factor in Murray's price level (11% below national, BEA RPP 89.3), that paycheck buys what $58,447 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.5% below the Kentucky state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, ux designer salaries in Murray, KY are projected to reach a median annual figure of $52,193. This figure highlights a significant discrepancy when compared to the national median of $83,320, marking a 37.36% lower value locally. The salary range for ux designers in the city varies widely, from a lower boundary of $30,677 at the 10th percentile to an upper boundary of $80,900 at the 90th percentile. These estimates are derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional economic factors, illustrating how the local market has absorbed changes in the design sector following the industry's upheaval post-2023. With the job market stabilizing, potential professionals should understand that the competition in Murray remains manageable, with only four ux designers currently employed in the area.
About the Murray Market
Salary estimated from Kentucky average ($80,900) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $30,677 | $14.75 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $38,973 | $18.74 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $52,193 | $25.09 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $66,807 | $32.12 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $80,900 | $38.89 |
Median Salary Position
37.36% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Murray
In Murray, KY, the ux designer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $50,223 (2026 est.). At $52,193, the local median is 37.36% below the national median of $83,320.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Murray: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Murray UX Designer Pay Compares
Murray median: $52,193/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Murray Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Kentucky Average | $55,822 | -6.50% less |
| National Average | $83,320 | -37.36% less |
UX Designers in Murray, KY earn a median of $52,193 per year (2026 est.), which is 37.36% lower than the national median of $83,320 and 6.50% below the Kentucky state average of $55,822.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Murray 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.
Murray, KY has a cost-of-living index of 89.3 (below the national average of 100). A ux designer earning $52,193 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $58,447 in an average-cost city — an effective 11.98% boost.
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2021 BLS Actual
$37,534
2025 BLS Actual
$48,861
2026 Current Est.
$52,193
2021–2027 Growth
+48.5%
Salary Trajectory for UX Designers in Murray (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $37,534 | Actual |
| 2022 | $39,108 | Actual |
| 2023 | $46,296 | Actual |
| 2024 | $67,570 | Actual |
| 2025 | $48,861 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $52,193 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $55,753 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Murray metropolitan area, the median ux designer salary grew 30.2% from $37,534 (2021) to $48,861 (2025). At a 6.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $55,753 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,219 (48.54%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Murray 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) | $30,677 – $38,973 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $38,973 – $52,193 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $52,193 – $66,807 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $66,807 – $80,900 |
UX salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual ux designer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
UX Designer Job Market in Murray
Evaluating the local job market reveals a cost-of-living index of 89.3, indicating purchasing power slightly below the national average. This context is essential for those pursuing ux designer pay in Murray, KY, particularly when considering that tech firms typically offer the highest salaries in the field. While there may be opportunities with larger companies, tiers such as FAANG or other major tech players pay a premium for top talent, particularly those with extensive portfolios and experience with design systems using tools like Figma. Skill specialization significantly impacts compensation; roles concentrated in research or complex product design tend to attract better pay. For maximum financial gain in this market, designers should focus on building a robust portfolio featuring high-traffic applications and consider targeting freelance opportunities to enhance flexibility and earnings potential.
More salary data for Murray, 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 $48,861 for ux designersin the Murray 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 Murray 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