UX Designer Salary in Kearny, NJ: $69,641 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time ux designer in Kearny, NJ earns a median $69,641/year (≈ $33.48/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-1255). Once you factor in Kearny's price level (15% above national, BEA RPP 115.2), that paycheck buys what $60,452 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.3% below the New Jersey state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the average compensation for ux designers in Kearny, New Jersey is projected at $69,641, representing a notable variance when compared to the national median of $83,320. Salaries in this region span from $40,392 on the low end (P10) to $107,944 for the top earners (P90). These figures are derived from state-level data adjustments and reflect local economic factors. The market presents an intriguing dynamic, with the choice between individual contributor (IC) and management tracks significantly influencing salary outcomes. Generally, both tracks have their peaks in Kearny, but advancing into leadership roles may be limited by the number of available opportunities given the current employment landscape.
About the Kearny Market
Salary estimated from New Jersey average ($96,900) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $40,392 | $19.42 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $51,389 | $24.71 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $69,641 | $33.48 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $89,141 | $42.86 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $107,944 | $51.89 |
Median Salary Position
16.42% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Kearny
In Kearny, NJ, the ux designer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $67,552 (2026 est.). At $69,641, the local median is 16.42% below the national median of $83,320.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Kearny: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Kearny UX Designer Pay Compares
Kearny median: $69,641/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Kearny Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey Average | $72,018 | -3.30% less |
| National Average | $83,320 | -16.42% less |
UX Designers in Kearny, NJ earn a median of $69,641 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.42% lower than the national median of $83,320 and 3.30% below the New Jersey state average of $72,018.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Kearny has a cost of living 15.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Kearny, NJ has a cost-of-living index of 115.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $69,641 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $60,452 — a 13.19% reduction.
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2021 BLS Actual
$50,081
2025 BLS Actual
$65,195
2026 Current Est.
$69,641
2021–2027 Growth
+48.5%
Salary Trajectory for UX Designers in Kearny (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $50,081 | Actual |
| 2022 | $52,181 | Actual |
| 2023 | $61,772 | Actual |
| 2024 | $107,990 | Actual |
| 2025 | $65,195 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $69,641 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $74,391 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Kearny metropolitan area, the median ux designer salary grew 30.2% from $50,081 (2021) to $65,195 (2025). At a 6.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $74,391 by 2027 — a total increase of $24,310 (48.54%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Kearny 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) | $40,392 – $51,389 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $51,389 – $69,641 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $69,641 – $89,141 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $89,141 – $107,944 |
UX salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual ux designer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
UX Designer Job Market in Kearny
Kearny’s job market for ux designers, with a current count of 11 professionals in the field, demonstrates moderate demand within the local economy. The cost of living index stands at 115.2, indicating that expenses are higher than the national average, which can dampen take-home pay for designers. On the salary spectrum, tech companies such as those within the FAANG umbrella typically offer more competitive packages, often supplemented with stock options and bonuses, thus significantly boosting overall compensation for designers with strong portfolios. In contrast, boutique agencies and in-house teams at non-tech firms may offer lower initial salaries but can provide valuable experience across diverse projects. To maximize earnings in this unique Kearny market, designers should focus on building a strong Figma portfolio, specializing in areas like design systems or user research, and consider negotiating for equity in tech firms to enhance their total compensation package.
More salary data for Kearny, NJ:
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 $65,195 for ux designersin the Kearny 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 Kearny 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