UX Designer Salary in Albuquerque, NM: $46,611 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time ux designer in Albuquerque, NM earns a median $46,611/year (≈ $22.41/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-1255). Once you factor in Albuquerque's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 95.5), that paycheck buys what $48,784 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 21.0% below the New Mexico state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, UX designers in Albuquerque, NM, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $46,611, significantly lower than the national median of $83,320, reflecting a 44.06% gap. The salary range for this role spans from $23,803 at the lower end (P10) to $99,271 at the upper end (P90), showcasing a wide disparity in pay that may be influenced by experience, company size, and the complexity of projects. This data, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys and projected to 2026, highlights how the local market absorbed layoffs from tech companies in 2023 and 2024 while simultaneously fostering a growing demand for UX skills in both freelance opportunities and new startup ventures in the region.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $23,803 | $11.44 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $37,454 | $18.01 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $46,611 | $22.41 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $63,796 | $30.67 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $99,271 | $47.73 |
Median Salary Position
44.06% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Albuquerque
In Albuquerque, NM, the ux designer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $75,468 (2026 est.). At $46,611, the local median is 44.06% below the national median of $83,320.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Albuquerque: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Albuquerque UX Designer Pay Compares
Albuquerque median: $46,611/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Albuquerque Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Mexico Average | $59,001 | -21.00% less |
| National Average | $83,320 | -44.06% less |
UX Designers in Albuquerque, NM earn a median of $46,611 per year (2026 est.), which is 44.06% lower than the national median of $83,320 and 21.00% below the New Mexico state average of $59,001.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Albuquerque has a cost of living 4.45% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Albuquerque, NM has a cost-of-living index of 95.546 (below the national average of 100). A ux designer earning $46,611 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $48,784 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.66% boost.
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2021 BLS Actual
$49,080
2025 BLS Actual
$43,635
2026 Current Est.
$46,611
2021–2027 Growth
+1.4%
Salary Trajectory for UX Designers in Albuquerque (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $49,080 | Actual |
| 2022 | $73,640 | Actual |
| 2023 | $59,390 | Actual |
| 2024 | $57,750 | Actual |
| 2025 | $43,635 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $46,611 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $49,790 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Albuquerque metropolitan area, the median ux designer salary grew -11.1% from $49,080 (2021) to $43,635 (2025). At a 6.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $49,790 by 2027 — a total increase of $710 (1.45%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Albuquerque 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) | $23,803 – $37,454 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $37,454 – $46,611 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $46,611 – $63,796 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $63,796 – $99,271 |
UX salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual ux designer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
UX Designer Job Market in Albuquerque
Currently, there are around 100 UX designers employed in Albuquerque, which suggests a stable job market for this profession despite the lower salary rates. The cost of living index in Albuquerque stands at 95.546, indicating that living expenses are somewhat below the national average, which can enhance purchasing power despite modest salaries. Among businesses that offer the highest pay, tech firms can provide lucrative packages due to their equity options and RSUs, often attracting top talent, while boutique design agencies and in-house teams generally offer diverse projects but may compensate less. The disparity in wages is driven by factors like company prestige, specialization within UX, and the strength of an applicant's portfolio. For professionals looking to maximize their salary, focusing on expanding their expertise in design research or systems, and maintaining a strong presence in Figma-driven projects can effectively elevate their marketability in Albuquerque’s competitive landscape.
More salary data for Albuquerque, NM:
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 $43,635 for ux designersin the Albuquerque 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
Source: BLS, OEWS, 5-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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