UX Designer Salary in St. Joseph, MO: $56,151 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time ux designer in St. Joseph, MO earns a median $56,151/year (≈ $26.99/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-1255). Once you factor in St. Joseph's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 89.6), that paycheck buys what $62,669 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.3% above the Missouri state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In St. Joseph, Missouri, the median UX designer salary is projected to reach $56,151 in 2026, reflecting the local market's dynamics within a broader context. The salary range for these professionals spans from $32,567 at the bottom (P10) to $87,034 at the top (P90), offering significant variation based on experience and specialization. Consider the differences between working at established tech giants like those within the FAANG cohort, smaller design agencies, or in-house teams within corporations; each option offers distinct compensation potentials. Local estimates derived from 2025 BLS data suggest that despite the strong contrast with the national median of $83,320, the localized cost of living, with a relatively low index of 89.6, may enhance the purchasing power for those employed in this sector.
About the St. Joseph Market
Salary estimated from Missouri average ($88,700) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $32,567 | $15.66 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $40,429 | $19.44 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $56,151 | $26.99 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $71,873 | $34.56 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $87,034 | $41.84 |
Median Salary Position
32.61% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in St. Joseph
In St. Joseph, MO, the ux designer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $54,467 (2026 est.). At $56,151, the local median is 32.61% below the national median of $83,320.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in St. Joseph: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How St. Joseph UX Designer Pay Compares
St. Joseph median: $56,151/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | St. Joseph Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Missouri Average | $55,983 | +0.30% more |
| National Average | $83,320 | -32.61% less |
UX Designers in St. Joseph, MO earn a median of $56,151 per year (2026 est.), which is 32.61% lower than the national median of $83,320 and 0.30% above the Missouri state average of $55,983.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
St. Joseph 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.
St. Joseph, MO has a cost-of-living index of 89.6 (below the national average of 100). A ux designer earning $56,151 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $62,669 in an average-cost city — an effective 11.61% boost.
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2021 BLS Actual
$40,380
2025 BLS Actual
$52,566
2026 Current Est.
$56,151
2021–2027 Growth
+48.5%
Salary Trajectory for UX Designers in St. Joseph (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $40,380 | Actual |
| 2022 | $42,073 | Actual |
| 2023 | $49,806 | Actual |
| 2024 | $79,703 | Actual |
| 2025 | $52,566 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $56,151 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $59,980 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the St. Joseph metropolitan area, the median ux designer salary grew 30.2% from $40,380 (2021) to $52,566 (2025). At a 6.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $59,980 by 2027 — a total increase of $19,600 (48.54%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the St. Joseph 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) | $32,567 – $40,429 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $40,429 – $56,151 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $56,151 – $71,873 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $71,873 – $87,034 |
UX salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual ux designer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
UX Designer Job Market in St. Joseph
The job market in St. Joseph features around 18 UX designers, revealing the niche but focused demand for this skill set. The cost of living here generally allows for a comfortable lifestyle, which could appeal to those weighing their employment options. Among prospective employers, larger tech companies may offer higher salaries compared to smaller digital agencies or in-house product design teams. A spread in salaries can arise based on various factors such as company tier, specialization in design (e.g., research versus visual), and portfolio strength. For designers keen on maximizing their pay, focusing on in-demand specialties like design systems, building a compelling portfolio demonstrating successful projects, and considering freelance opportunities can be advantageous. Adapting to trends in compensation and industry demands will be crucial in carving out a successful career in St. Joseph's UX landscape.
More salary data for St. Joseph, 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 $52,566 for ux designersin the St. Joseph 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 St. Joseph 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