UX Designer Salary in Gladstone, MO: $53,514 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time ux designer in Gladstone, MO earns a median $53,514/year (≈ $25.73/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-1255). Once you factor in Gladstone's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 89.6), that paycheck buys what $59,725 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.4% below the Missouri state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the average ux designer salary in Gladstone, MO, is projected to be $53,514 annually, which represents a substantial gap compared to the national median of $83,320. The salary range for ux designers in the area spans from $31,038 at the lower end (P10) to $82,946 at the higher end (P90). These figures reflect local estimates derived from 2025 BLS data and factors such as regional cost adjustments. As Gladstone's job market evolves, potential candidates must consider the trade-offs between pursuing careers with large tech companies versus smaller agencies, as the pay and benefits can significantly differ across this spectrum.
About the Gladstone Market
Salary estimated from Missouri average ($88,700) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $31,038 | $14.92 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $38,705 | $18.61 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $53,514 | $25.73 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $68,497 | $32.93 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $82,946 | $39.88 |
Median Salary Position
35.77% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Gladstone
In Gladstone, MO, the ux designer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $51,908 (2026 est.). At $53,514, the local median is 35.77% below the national median of $83,320.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Gladstone: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Gladstone UX Designer Pay Compares
Gladstone median: $53,514/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Gladstone Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Missouri Average | $55,977 | -4.40% less |
| National Average | $83,320 | -35.77% less |
UX Designers in Gladstone, MO earn a median of $53,514 per year (2026 est.), which is 35.77% lower than the national median of $83,320 and 4.40% below the Missouri state average of $55,977.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Gladstone has a cost of living 10.40% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Gladstone, MO has a cost-of-living index of 89.6 (below the national average of 100). A ux designer earning $53,514 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $59,725 in an average-cost city — an effective 11.61% boost.
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2021 BLS Actual
$38,483
2025 BLS Actual
$50,097
2026 Current Est.
$53,514
2021–2027 Growth
+48.5%
Salary Trajectory for UX Designers in Gladstone (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $38,483 | Actual |
| 2022 | $40,097 | Actual |
| 2023 | $47,467 | Actual |
| 2024 | $75,959 | Actual |
| 2025 | $50,097 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $53,514 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $57,163 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Gladstone metropolitan area, the median ux designer salary grew 30.2% from $38,483 (2021) to $50,097 (2025). At a 6.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $57,163 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,680 (48.54%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Gladstone 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) | $31,038 – $38,705 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $38,705 – $53,514 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $53,514 – $68,497 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $68,497 – $82,946 |
UX salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual ux designer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
UX Designer Job Market in Gladstone
With only seven ux designers currently employed in Gladstone, the local job market remains relatively niche, a factor that can impact both competition and salary expectations. The cost of living index in the area stands at 89.6, which is below the national average and enhances the purchasing power of local salaries. Employers that tend to pay more in Gladstone are typically tier-2 tech companies or in-house product design teams in non-tech industries. The disparity in pay can arise from various factors, including company size, specialty focus, and the strength of a designer’s portfolio. Those showing expertise in high-demand areas like research or those working on heavily-trafficked applications can command higher compensation. For designers looking to optimize their pay in Gladstone, enhancing their portfolio with robust project experiences, specializing in relevant design fields, and considering freelance opportunities may present valuable avenues for increasing earnings.
More salary data for Gladstone, MO:
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 $50,097 for ux designersin the Gladstone 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 Gladstone 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