UX Designer Salary in Independence, MO: $57,141 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time ux designer in Independence, MO earns a median $57,141/year (≈ $27.47/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-1255). Once you factor in Independence's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 89.6), that paycheck buys what $63,773 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.1% above the Missouri state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, UX designers in Independence, Missouri, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $57,141, a figure substantially lower than the national median of $83,320. The local salary range spans from $33,142 at the 10th percentile to $88,569 at the 90th percentile, highlighting a competitive yet varied market for designers in the area. These estimates, derived from 2025 BLS state-level data and adjusted for regional price parities, reflect the local conditions in a job market that has absorbed the post-2023 design layoffs to some extent. Employers in Independence have continued hiring designers, indicating a resilient demand for user experience talent despite fluctuations in the broader tech landscape.
About the Independence Market
Salary estimated from Missouri average ($88,700) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $33,142 | $15.94 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $41,142 | $19.78 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $57,141 | $27.47 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $73,141 | $35.17 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $88,569 | $42.58 |
Median Salary Position
31.42% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Independence
In Independence, MO, the ux designer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $55,427 (2026 est.). At $57,141, the local median is 31.42% below the national median of $83,320.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Independence: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Independence UX Designer Pay Compares
Independence median: $57,141/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Independence Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Missouri Average | $55,966 | +2.10% more |
| National Average | $83,320 | -31.42% less |
UX Designers in Independence, MO earn a median of $57,141 per year (2026 est.), which is 31.42% lower than the national median of $83,320 and 2.10% above the Missouri state average of $55,966.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Independence 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.
Independence, MO has a cost-of-living index of 89.6 (below the national average of 100). A ux designer earning $57,141 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $63,773 in an average-cost city — an effective 11.61% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2021 BLS Actual
$41,092
2025 BLS Actual
$53,493
2026 Current Est.
$57,141
2021–2027 Growth
+48.5%
Salary Trajectory for UX Designers in Independence (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $41,092 | Actual |
| 2022 | $42,815 | Actual |
| 2023 | $50,685 | Actual |
| 2024 | $81,108 | Actual |
| 2025 | $53,493 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $57,141 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $61,038 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Independence metropolitan area, the median ux designer salary grew 30.2% from $41,092 (2021) to $53,493 (2025). At a 6.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $61,038 by 2027 — a total increase of $19,946 (48.54%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Independence 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) | $33,142 – $41,142 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $41,142 – $57,141 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $57,141 – $73,141 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $73,141 – $88,569 |
UX salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual ux designer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
UX Designer Job Market in Independence
The job market in Independence, with around 30 UX designers currently employed, highlights both opportunity and challenge. The cost-of-living index of 89.6 suggests that, while salaries may seem modest, purchasing power is slightly above average in relation to living expenses. Companies that pay the most in this city are often not the tech giants but rather in-house product design teams at non-tech companies, which can offer competitive packages on par with agencies and boutique design consulting firms. Earnings can vary widely based on factors such as specialization—whether in research, product design, or visual execution—as well as portfolio strength, with heavily-trafficked apps affording premium compensation. Designers looking to maximize their salaries may benefit from building comprehensive portfolios that showcase diverse skills, pursuing roles with companies offering equity, and ensuring they keep abreast of current industry trends and tools, such as Figma, which remains a standard in many design processes across sectors.
More salary data for Independence, MO:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do ux designers make in Independence, MO in 2026?
Is Independence, MO a good place to work as a ux designer?
Can ux designers make $100K in Independence?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted ux designer salary in Independence?
How much does a ux designer make per hour in Independence?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Missouri
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 $53,493 for ux designersin the Independence 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 Independence 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