UX Designer Salary in Grand Island, NE: $55,812 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time ux designer in Grand Island, NE earns a median $55,812/year (≈ $26.83/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-1255). Once you factor in Grand Island's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.5), that paycheck buys what $60,997 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.4% below the Nebraska state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the average UX designer salary in Grand Island, NE, is projected to be $55,812, significantly below the national median of $83,320. This salary reflects a wide range within the local market, with figures spanning from $32,371 at the 10th percentile to $86,509 at the 90th percentile. These estimates are derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for local cost variables. The compensation for UX designers in Grand Island illustrates the ongoing trade-offs between working for high-paying tech firms like FAANG versus smaller agencies or in-house teams, where job roles and project scopes differ. For designers considering employment in this area, understanding these dynamics can influence both job satisfaction and financial outcomes.
About the Grand Island Market
Salary estimated from Nebraska average ($72,200) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $32,371 | $15.56 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $40,185 | $19.32 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $55,812 | $26.83 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $71,440 | $34.34 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $86,509 | $41.60 |
Median Salary Position
33.01% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Grand Island
In Grand Island, NE, the ux designer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $54,138 (2026 est.). At $55,812, the local median is 33.01% below the national median of $83,320.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Grand Island: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Grand Island UX Designer Pay Compares
Grand Island median: $55,812/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Grand Island Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Nebraska Average | $57,185 | -2.40% less |
| National Average | $83,320 | -33.01% less |
UX Designers in Grand Island, NE earn a median of $55,812 per year (2026 est.), which is 33.01% lower than the national median of $83,320 and 2.40% below the Nebraska state average of $57,185.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Grand Island has a cost of living 8.50% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Grand Island, NE has a cost-of-living index of 91.5 (below the national average of 100). A ux designer earning $55,812 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $60,997 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.29% boost.
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2021 BLS Actual
$40,136
2025 BLS Actual
$52,249
2026 Current Est.
$55,812
2021–2027 Growth
+48.5%
Salary Trajectory for UX Designers in Grand Island (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $40,136 | Actual |
| 2022 | $41,819 | Actual |
| 2023 | $49,506 | Actual |
| 2024 | $64,484 | Actual |
| 2025 | $52,249 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $55,812 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $59,619 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Grand Island metropolitan area, the median ux designer salary grew 30.2% from $40,136 (2021) to $52,249 (2025). At a 6.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $59,619 by 2027 — a total increase of $19,483 (48.54%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Grand Island 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) | $32,371 – $40,185 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $40,185 – $55,812 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $55,812 – $71,440 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $71,440 – $86,509 |
UX salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual ux designer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
UX Designer Job Market in Grand Island
The local job market currently supports 14 UX designers, which may create a competitive but somewhat limited environment for new entrants. Grand Island's cost of living index stands at 91.5, meaning that while salaries may be lower, the purchasing power allows designers to maintain a comfortable lifestyle compared to national averages. Employers in the region that tend to offer higher pay include tech companies and consulting firms, although these positions may not reach the compensation levels seen at larger organizations. The variability in pay is often driven by factors such as the prestige of the employer, the designer's portfolio strength, and the specialization within UX roles—those focusing on research or product design may find better opportunities. To maximize potential earnings in Grand Island, designers should strengthen their portfolios, consider roles in tech over non-tech industries, and aim for positions with responsibilities that demand a higher skill level, such as management tracks or roles demanding expertise in popular tools like Figma.
More salary data for Grand Island, NE:
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 $52,249 for ux designersin the Grand Island 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 Grand Island 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