UX Designer Salary in Lansing, MI: $54,294 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time ux designer in Lansing, MI earns a median $54,294/year (≈ $26.11/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-1255). Once you factor in Lansing's price level (5% below national, BEA RPP 95.0), that paycheck buys what $57,157 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.0% above the Michigan state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Lansing, Michigan, the 2026 median annual salary for UX designers is projected at $54,294. This figure reflects a competitive local market absorbing the fallout from recent design layoffs that impacted many sectors. The salary ranges significantly, from a low end of $38,696 at the 10th percentile to $75,301 at the 90th percentile, indicating varied opportunities depending on experience and specialization. This data is derived from official BLS OEWS surveys and highlights how local compensation stacks against the national median of approximately $83,320, revealing a notable -34.84% difference. Overall, Lansing's job market remains optimistic, blending technology and creativity even amid industry fluctuations.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38,696 | $18.61 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $48,062 | $23.11 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $54,294 | $26.11 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $63,675 | $30.61 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $75,301 | $36.20 |
Median Salary Position
34.84% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lansing
In Lansing, MI, the ux designer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $36,605 (2026 est.). At $54,294, the local median is 34.84% below the national median of $83,320.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Lansing: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Lansing UX Designer Pay Compares
Lansing median: $54,294/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Lansing Pays |
|---|---|---|
| National Average | $83,320 | -34.84% less |
UX Designers in Lansing, MI earn a median of $54,294 per year (2026 est.), which is 34.84% lower than the national median of $83,320.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Lansing has a cost of living 5.01% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Lansing, MI has a cost-of-living index of 94.991 (below the national average of 100). A ux designer earning $54,294 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $57,157 in an average-cost city — an effective 5.27% boost.
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2021 BLS Actual
$61,560
2025 BLS Actual
$50,828
2026 Current Est.
$54,294
2021–2027 Growth
+-5.8%
Salary Trajectory for UX Designers in Lansing (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $61,560 | Actual |
| 2022 | $77,800 | Actual |
| 2023 | $74,890 | Actual |
| 2024 | $65,770 | Actual |
| 2025 | $50,828 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $54,294 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $57,997 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Lansing metropolitan area, the median ux designer salary grew -17.4% from $61,560 (2021) to $50,828 (2025). At a 6.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $57,997 by 2027 — a total increase of $-3,563 (-5.79%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lansing 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) | $38,696 – $48,062 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $48,062 – $54,294 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $54,294 – $63,675 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $63,675 – $75,301 |
UX salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual ux designer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
UX Designer Job Market in Lansing
The job landscape in Lansing currently employs around 80 UX designers, with the cost-of-living index at 94.991, suggesting a lower-than-average living expense that can enhance take-home purchasing power. Companies in the region that offer higher UX designer pay include established tech firms and digital product agencies, while in-house product design teams typically follow closely behind. Factors influencing the disparity in UX designer pay in Lansing include the type of company—FAANG and unicorn startups generally provide larger salaries due to their financial clout and stock options—compared to tier-2 tech or non-tech employers. Specialties like research or robust portfolio credentials can command higher wages, especially when focusing on heavily-trafficked applications. For those aiming to maximize their pay in Lansing, strategies such as honing Figma skills, enhancing project portfolios, and networking within the local tech community can lead to better opportunities and compensation.
More salary data for Lansing, 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 $50,828 for ux designersin the Lansing 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