UX Designer Salary in Missouri: $58,549 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Missouri's 33 metropolitan areas, the average median ux designer pay sits at $58,549/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 15-1255. Because Missouri sits at BEA RPP 89.6 (10% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $65,345 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Kansas City ($56,768), St. Louis ($56,085), Independence ($53,493).
In 2026, the average median salary for UX designers in Missouri is projected to be $58,549, significantly lower than the national median of $83,320, representing a gap of 29.7%. Kansas City offers the highest salary at $60,640, while Springfield has the lowest at $48,590, demonstrating a substantial difference of $12,050. This variation can be attributed to factors such as the concentration of tech companies, cost of living, and regional demand for UX expertise. Missouri does not have strict licensing requirements for UX designers, which allows for a wide range of professionals to enter the field. The demand for UX designers is driven by ongoing digital transformation across various sectors, including healthcare, finance, and education, leading to a projected growth rate of 6.82% annually in this occupation. The total employment in this field is expected to reach 1,305 by 2026. Major cities such as St. Louis, Independence, Columbia, and St. Peters follow Kansas City with salaries ranging from $56,724 to $59,910. As digital experiences continue to evolve, professionals in Missouri may find increasing opportunities to advance their careers and potentially increase their earnings.
Missouri UX Designer Salary Range
Overall salary range in Missouri: $29,965 (lowest entry-level) to $109,341 (highest top earner)
Missouri vs National Average
Missouri ux designers earn 29.73% less than the national median ($-24,771/year difference).
Missouri UX Designer Salary Distribution (2026)
UX Designer salaries in Missouri range from $37,080 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $103,101 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $58,549. The Missouri median is $24,771 below the US national median of $83,320. The average hourly rate is $28.15/hr. Approximately 1,305 ux designers are employed across 33 cities.
2021 BLS Actual
$58,404
2025 BLS Actual
$54,811
2026 Current Est.
$58,549
2021–2027 Growth
+7.1%
Salary Trajectory for UX Designers in Missouri (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $58,404 | Actual |
| 2022 | $69,331 | Actual |
| 2023 | $78,061 | Actual |
| 2024 | $78,946 | Actual |
| 2025 | $54,811 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $58,549 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $62,542 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Missouri metropolitan area, the median ux designer salary grew -6.2% from $58,404 (2021) to $54,811 (2025). At a 6.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $62,542 by 2027 — a total increase of $4,138 (7.09%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Missouri 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 Missouri
Lowest Paying Cities in Missouri
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Springfield | $48,590 |
| Hannibal | $51,665 |
| Raymore | $51,833 |
| Branson | $52,031 |
| Belton | $52,937 |
Best Value Cities for UX Designers in Missouri
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Missouri cities offer the most purchasing power for ux designers.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kansas City | $60,640 | 92.543 | $65,526 |
| Independence | $57,141 | 89.6 | $63,773 |
| Columbia | $56,892 | 89.6 | $63,496 |
| St. Peters | $56,724 | 89.6 | $63,308 |
| St. Charles | $56,617 | 89.6 | $63,189 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Missouri
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $37,080 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $58,549 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $103,101 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Missouri metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 33 Cities in Missouri
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kansas City | $60,640 |
| 2 | St. Louis | $59,910 |
| 3 | Independence | $57,141 |
| 4 | Columbia | $56,892 |
| 5 | St. Peters | $56,724 |
| 6 | St. Charles | $56,617 |
| 7 | St. Joseph | $56,151 |
| 8 | O'Fallon | $55,961 |
| 9 | Florissant | $55,668 |
| 10 | Wildwood | $55,546 |
| 11 | Kirkwood | $55,529 |
| 12 | Lee's Summit | $55,498 |
| 13 | Chesterfield | $55,491 |
| 14 | University City | $55,199 |
| 15 | Liberty | $55,178 |
| 16 | Grandview | $55,082 |
| 17 | Maryland Heights | $54,991 |
| 18 | Blue Springs | $54,369 |
| 19 | Cape Girardeau | $54,318 |
| 20 | Joplin | $54,285 |
| 21 | Raytown | $54,043 |
| 22 | Webster Groves | $53,774 |
| 23 | Sedalia | $53,757 |
| 24 | Ballwin | $53,661 |
| 25 | Nixa | $53,657 |
| 26 | Gladstone | $53,514 |
| 27 | Wentzville | $53,388 |
| 28 | Jefferson City | $53,339 |
| 29 | Belton | $52,937 |
| 30 | Branson | $52,031 |
| 31 | Raymore | $51,833 |
| 32 | Hannibal | $51,665 |
| 33 | Springfield | $48,590 |
More Missouri Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore ux designer hourly pay in Missouri cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced ux designers.
Compare Cities in Missouri
View all comparisons →Explore More UX Designer Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do ux designers make in Missouri in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for ux designers in Missouri?
How does Missouri ux designer pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level ux designer salary in Missouri?
How many ux designers are employed in Missouri?
Which Missouri 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 Missouri. State averages are employment-weighted across 33 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