UX Designer Salary in Maryland Heights, MO: $54,991 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time ux designer in Maryland Heights, MO earns a median $54,991/year (≈ $26.44/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-1255). Once you factor in Maryland Heights's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 89.6), that paycheck buys what $61,374 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.8% below the Missouri state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, an individual working as a UX designer in Maryland Heights, Missouri, can expect a median annual pay of $54,991, a figure significantly lower than the national median of $83,320. The salary range for local designers shows considerable variation, with the lowest 10% earning around $31,894 while the top 90% can reach up to $85,236. These estimations are based on 2025 BLS data, projected into 2026, incorporating regional price adjustments. This lower salary landscape reflects the trade-off many designers face between pursuing higher potential earnings in larger tech firms and opting for varied experiences in smaller agencies or in-house teams. The local job market dynamics indicate competitive opportunities, yet they frame a challenging context for those keen on maximizing their income as a UX designer in Maryland Heights.
About the Maryland Heights Market
Salary estimated from Missouri average ($88,700) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $31,894 | $15.33 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $39,594 | $19.04 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $54,991 | $26.44 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $70,388 | $33.84 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $85,236 | $40.98 |
Median Salary Position
34% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Maryland Heights
In Maryland Heights, MO, the ux designer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $53,342 (2026 est.). At $54,991, the local median is 34% below the national median of $83,320.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Maryland Heights: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Maryland Heights UX Designer Pay Compares
Maryland Heights median: $54,991/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Maryland Heights Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Missouri Average | $55,999 | -1.80% less |
| National Average | $83,320 | -34.00% less |
UX Designers in Maryland Heights, MO earn a median of $54,991 per year (2026 est.), which is 34.00% lower than the national median of $83,320 and 1.80% below the Missouri state average of $55,999.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Maryland Heights 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.
Maryland Heights, MO has a cost-of-living index of 89.6 (below the national average of 100). A ux designer earning $54,991 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $61,374 in an average-cost city — an effective 11.61% boost.
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2021 BLS Actual
$39,546
2025 BLS Actual
$51,480
2026 Current Est.
$54,991
2021–2027 Growth
+48.5%
Salary Trajectory for UX Designers in Maryland Heights (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $39,546 | Actual |
| 2022 | $41,204 | Actual |
| 2023 | $48,777 | Actual |
| 2024 | $78,056 | Actual |
| 2025 | $51,480 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $54,991 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $58,741 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Maryland Heights metropolitan area, the median ux designer salary grew 30.2% from $39,546 (2021) to $51,480 (2025). At a 6.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $58,741 by 2027 — a total increase of $19,195 (48.54%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Maryland Heights 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) | $31,894 – $39,594 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $39,594 – $54,991 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $54,991 – $70,388 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $70,388 – $85,236 |
UX salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual ux designer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
UX Designer Job Market in Maryland Heights
Employers in Maryland Heights typically offer varying levels of compensation, influenced by company type and specialty. With just five UX designers currently employed in the area, the job market offers limited competition, which can allow skilled professionals to capitalize on strategic roles. The area's cost-of-living index of 89.6 presents a realistic environment for budgeting, potentially enhancing take-home purchasing power compared to national averages. Employers that generally pay more include established tech companies and well-regarded design agencies, while non-tech industry roles may lag. The disparities in compensation often arise from company stature, project scope, and an emphasis on strong portfolios that demonstrate impactful design experience. To optimize pay, UX designers in Maryland Heights should consider focusing on high-demand specialties like research and design systems while actively building a compelling portfolio that showcases successful, broadly trafficked projects.
More salary data for Maryland Heights, 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 $51,480 for ux designersin the Maryland Heights 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 Maryland Heights 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