UX Designer Salary in New York: $93,536 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across New York's 38 metropolitan areas, the average median ux designer pay sits at $93,536/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 15-1255. Because New York sits at BEA RPP 115.9 (16% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $80,704 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Ithaca ($94,358), New York ($89,393), Yonkers ($76,324).
In 2026, the average median salary for UX designers in New York is projected to be $93,536, which is significantly above the national median of $83,320, reflecting a difference of +12.3%. The salary range across different cities within the state varies considerably, with Ithaca offering the highest average salary of $100,793, and Rome at the lowest end with $60,885, indicating a salary gap of $39,908. This disparity is largely influenced by factors such as the concentration of tech companies, cost of living, and local demand for UX design services. New York-specific factors, including a lack of stringent state licensing requirements and increasing scope of practice laws, contribute to a dynamic job market. Demand is driven by the expansion of digital platforms across industries. The overall employment picture for UX designers is solid, with a total of 16,701 professionals in the state and a projected annual growth rate of 6.82% based on trends from 2025 BLS data. Major cities projected to offer competitive salaries include New York at $95,490, followed by Yonkers at $81,529, Troy at $81,056, and Buffalo at $80,108. This trend underscores the consistent need for skilled UX professionals in New York's evolving job landscape.
New York UX Designer Salary Range
Overall salary range in New York: $34,698 (lowest entry-level) to $169,884 (highest top earner)
New York vs National Average
New York ux designers earn 12.26% more than the national median (+$10,216/year difference).
New York UX Designer Salary Distribution (2026)
UX Designer salaries in New York range from $50,606 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $160,390 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $93,536. The New York median is $10,216 above the US national median of $83,320. The average hourly rate is $44.96/hr. Approximately 16,701 ux designers are employed across 38 cities.
2021 BLS Actual
$98,101
2025 BLS Actual
$87,564
2026 Current Est.
$93,536
2021–2027 Growth
+1.8%
Salary Trajectory for UX Designers in New York (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $98,101 | Actual |
| 2022 | $103,679 | Actual |
| 2023 | $120,687 | Actual |
| 2024 | $117,412 | Actual |
| 2025 | $87,564 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $93,536 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $99,915 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the New York metropolitan area, the median ux designer salary grew -10.7% from $98,101 (2021) to $87,564 (2025). At a 6.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $99,915 by 2027 — a total increase of $1,814 (1.85%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the New York 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in New York
Lowest Paying Cities in New York
Best Value Cities for UX Designers in New York
When adjusted for local cost of living, these New York cities offer the most purchasing power for ux designers.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ithaca | $100,793 | 103.317 | $97,557 |
| New York | $95,490 | 112.563 | $84,832 |
| Buffalo | $80,108 | 95.844 | $83,582 |
| Albany | $79,483 | 99.566 | $79,829 |
| Rochester | $73,337 | 97.035 | $75,578 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in New York
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $50,606 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $93,536 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $160,390 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across New York metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 38 Cities in New York
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ithaca | $100,793 |
| 2 | New York | $95,490 |
| 3 | Yonkers | $81,529 |
| 4 | Troy | $81,056 |
| 5 | Buffalo | $80,108 |
| 6 | New Rochelle | $79,849 |
| 7 | Albany | $79,483 |
| 8 | Mount Vernon | $78,955 |
| 9 | Watertown | $78,822 |
| 10 | Binghamton | $78,637 |
| 11 | Long Beach | $78,347 |
| 12 | Niagara Falls | $78,304 |
| 13 | Poughkeepsie | $78,285 |
| 14 | Schenectady | $77,756 |
| 15 | Spring Valley | $77,465 |
| 16 | White Plains | $77,362 |
| 17 | Jamestown | $77,268 |
| 18 | Valley Stream | $77,144 |
| 19 | Middletown | $76,824 |
| 20 | Hempstead | $76,739 |
| 21 | Saratoga Springs | $76,361 |
| 22 | North Tonawanda | $75,911 |
| 23 | Glens Falls | $75,595 |
| 24 | Auburn | $75,541 |
| 25 | Newburgh | $75,423 |
| 26 | Freeport | $75,325 |
| 27 | Elmira | $75,232 |
| 28 | Oswego | $74,543 |
| 29 | Kingston | $74,502 |
| 30 | Lackawanna | $74,388 |
| 31 | Amsterdam | $74,352 |
| 32 | Oneonta | $74,173 |
| 33 | Plattsburgh | $73,408 |
| 34 | Rochester | $73,337 |
| 35 | Cortland | $73,187 |
| 36 | Syracuse | $64,661 |
| 37 | Utica | $61,512 |
| 38 | Rome | $60,885 |
More New York Salary Data
Compare Cities in New York
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Frequently Asked Questions
How much do ux designers make in New York in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for ux designers in New York?
How does New York ux designer pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level ux designer salary in New York?
How many ux designers are employed in New York?
Which New York city offers the best value for ux designers?
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
Statewide 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. A 6.82% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 ux designer compensation across New York. State averages are employment-weighted across 38 metro areas — larger metro areas with more ux designerscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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