UX Designer Salary in Dearborn, MI: $79,264 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time ux designer in Dearborn, MI earns a median $79,264/year (≈ $38.10/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-1255). Once you factor in Dearborn's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.2), that paycheck buys what $85,047 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 46.0% above the Michigan state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the median annual salary for a UX designer in Dearborn, Michigan is projected to be $79,264, slightly below the national median of $83,320. This figure reflects a salary range that spans from $45,973 to $122,859, showcasing a considerable variance in pay based on experience, skills, and industry. These estimates are derived from 2025 BLS state-level data and adjusted for local cost of living factors. Given the recent design layoffs in 2023, the local market has gradually absorbed talent, adapting to the new landscape where a diverse set of UX skills, especially in areas like design systems and product design, are in demand.
About the Dearborn Market
Salary estimated from Michigan average ($80,600) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $45,973 | $22.10 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $57,070 | $27.44 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $79,264 | $38.10 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $101,458 | $48.77 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $122,859 | $59.07 |
Median Salary Position
4.87% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Dearborn
In Dearborn, MI, the ux designer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $76,886 (2026 est.). At $79,264, the local median is 4.87% below the national median of $83,320.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Dearborn: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Dearborn UX Designer Pay Compares
Dearborn median: $79,264/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Dearborn Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Michigan Average | $54,290 | +46.00% more |
| National Average | $83,320 | -4.87% less |
UX Designers in Dearborn, MI earn a median of $79,264 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.87% lower than the national median of $83,320 and 46.00% above the Michigan state average of $54,290.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Dearborn has a cost of living 6.80% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Dearborn, MI has a cost-of-living index of 93.2 (below the national average of 100). A ux designer earning $79,264 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $85,047 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.3% boost.
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2021 BLS Actual
$57,001
2025 BLS Actual
$74,203
2026 Current Est.
$79,264
2021–2027 Growth
+48.5%
Salary Trajectory for UX Designers in Dearborn (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $57,001 | Actual |
| 2022 | $59,391 | Actual |
| 2023 | $70,307 | Actual |
| 2024 | $75,479 | Actual |
| 2025 | $74,203 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $79,264 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $84,669 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Dearborn metropolitan area, the median ux designer salary grew 30.2% from $57,001 (2021) to $74,203 (2025). At a 6.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $84,669 by 2027 — a total increase of $27,668 (48.54%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Dearborn 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) | $45,973 – $57,070 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $57,070 – $79,264 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $79,264 – $101,458 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $101,458 – $122,859 |
UX salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual ux designer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
UX Designer Job Market in Dearborn
Looking at the local job market, there are currently 19 UX designers employed in Dearborn, a presence that illustrates a niche sector even amid fluctuations in the broader tech workforce. With a cost-of-living index of 93.2, the take-home purchasing power for UX designers is relatively favorable compared to many other regions. For those seeking to maximize their earnings, targeting employment with top-tier tech companies can significantly affect compensation, with firms like Microsoft and Adobe often dominating pay scales. Other factors driving salary variations include the specific nature of the designer's role, whether they focus on research or visual design, portfolio strength, and involvement in company equity programs. Emphasizing specialized skills and maintaining a robust portfolio using industry-standard tools like Figma can provide an edge in negotiating better pay in Dearborn’s evolving job market.
More salary data for Dearborn, MI:
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 $74,203 for ux designersin the Dearborn 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 Dearborn 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