UX Designer Salary in Jefferson City, MO: $53,339 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time ux designer in Jefferson City, MO earns a median $53,339/year (≈ $25.65/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-1255). Once you factor in Jefferson City's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 89.6), that paycheck buys what $59,530 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.7% below the Missouri state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the projected median salary for a UX designer in Jefferson City is $53,339, which reveals a significant discrepancy when compared to the national median of $83,320. Local salaries range from $30,937 at the lower end (P10) to $82,677 at the upper end (P90), reflecting a market sensitive to both the state of the economy and specific job competencies. Following the wave of design layoffs in the tech sector post-2023, the local market faced challenges; however, Jefferson City appears to be rebounding, accommodating the needs of eight currently employed UX designers. The salary picture indicates room for growth within the field as businesses adjust to evolving user experience demands and design practices.
About the Jefferson City Market
Salary estimated from Missouri average ($88,700) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $30,937 | $14.87 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $38,404 | $18.46 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $53,339 | $25.65 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $68,275 | $32.83 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $82,677 | $39.75 |
Median Salary Position
35.98% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Jefferson City
In Jefferson City, MO, the ux designer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $51,740 (2026 est.). At $53,339, the local median is 35.98% below the national median of $83,320.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Jefferson City: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Jefferson City UX Designer Pay Compares
Jefferson City median: $53,339/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Jefferson City Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Missouri Average | $55,970 | -4.70% less |
| National Average | $83,320 | -35.98% less |
UX Designers in Jefferson City, MO earn a median of $53,339 per year (2026 est.), which is 35.98% lower than the national median of $83,320 and 4.70% below the Missouri state average of $55,970.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Jefferson City 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.
Jefferson City, MO has a cost-of-living index of 89.6 (below the national average of 100). A ux designer earning $53,339 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $59,530 in an average-cost city — an effective 11.61% boost.
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2021 BLS Actual
$38,358
2025 BLS Actual
$49,934
2026 Current Est.
$53,339
2021–2027 Growth
+48.5%
Salary Trajectory for UX Designers in Jefferson City (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $38,358 | Actual |
| 2022 | $39,966 | Actual |
| 2023 | $47,312 | Actual |
| 2024 | $75,713 | Actual |
| 2025 | $49,934 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $53,339 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $56,977 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Jefferson City metropolitan area, the median ux designer salary grew 30.2% from $38,358 (2021) to $49,934 (2025). At a 6.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $56,977 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,619 (48.54%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Jefferson City 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) | $30,937 – $38,404 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $38,404 – $53,339 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $53,339 – $68,275 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $68,275 – $82,677 |
UX salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual ux designer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
UX Designer Job Market in Jefferson City
An essential factor influencing UX designer pay in Jefferson City, MO, is the cost of living index, which stands at 89.6—significantly below the national average. This lower cost translates into enhanced purchasing power for designers, even at the median salary level. Employers that typically offer competitive salaries range from large tech companies to boutique agencies. Those at established firms may offer higher compensation, driven by the demand for specialized skills in design systems and product development. The pay spectrum is influenced by various factors, including company prestige, the specific nature of design work, and the robustness of an individual’s portfolio. Designers aiming to maximize their income in this area should consider developing expertise in areas that are currently in high demand, such as research and management roles, and leveraging their work in heavily-trafficked applications to negotiate better pay packages.
More salary data for Jefferson City, 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 $49,934 for ux designersin the Jefferson City 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 Jefferson City 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