UX Designer Salary in Middletown, NY: $76,824 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time ux designer in Middletown, NY earns a median $76,824/year (≈ $36.94/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-1255). Once you factor in Middletown's price level (16% above national, BEA RPP 115.9), that paycheck buys what $66,285 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.3% below the New York state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In 2026, the projected median annual salary for a UX designer in Middletown, New York, is $76,824, which is slightly below the national median of $83,320. The local salary range varies significantly, with the bottom 10 percent earning $44,558, while the top 90 percent can earn up to $119,077. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional price parity, reflect the evolving landscape of the design industry post-2023 layoffs, where many talented designers have found opportunities in smaller firms or transitioned to freelance roles. This shift has ensured that despite recent market fluctuations, the demand for skilled UX designers in Middletown persists, creating a robust job market for those equipped with the necessary design capabilities.
About the Middletown Market
Salary estimated from New York average ($122,800) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $44,558 | $21.42 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $55,314 | $26.60 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $76,824 | $36.94 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $98,334 | $47.28 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $119,077 | $57.24 |
Median Salary Position
7.8% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Middletown
In Middletown, NY, the ux designer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $74,519 (2026 est.). At $76,824, the local median is 7.8% below the national median of $83,320.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Middletown: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Middletown UX Designer Pay Compares
Middletown median: $76,824/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Middletown Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New York Average | $79,446 | -3.30% less |
| National Average | $83,320 | -7.80% less |
UX Designers in Middletown, NY earn a median of $76,824 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.80% lower than the national median of $83,320 and 3.30% below the New York state average of $79,446.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Middletown has a cost of living 15.90% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Middletown, NY has a cost-of-living index of 115.9 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $76,824 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $66,285 — a 13.72% reduction.
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2021 BLS Actual
$55,246
2025 BLS Actual
$71,919
2026 Current Est.
$76,824
2021–2027 Growth
+48.5%
Salary Trajectory for UX Designers in Middletown (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $55,246 | Actual |
| 2022 | $57,563 | Actual |
| 2023 | $68,143 | Actual |
| 2024 | $137,564 | Actual |
| 2025 | $71,919 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $76,824 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $82,063 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Middletown metropolitan area, the median ux designer salary grew 30.2% from $55,246 (2021) to $71,919 (2025). At a 6.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $82,063 by 2027 — a total increase of $26,817 (48.54%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Middletown 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) | $44,558 – $55,314 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $55,314 – $76,824 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $76,824 – $98,334 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $98,334 – $119,077 |
UX salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual ux designer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
UX Designer Job Market in Middletown
Despite the competitive average salary, the cost of living in Middletown is notably higher at a 115.9 index, which affects overall purchasing power for UX designers. Currently, there are seven UX designers reported to be employed in this area, indicating a small but specialized market. Companies that typically offer the highest compensation include larger tech firms and in-house product teams, leveraging the local trend of favoring candidates with substantial portfolios and Figma proficiency. The disparity between lower and higher salaries relates to factors such as company reputation, project scope, specialization in UX research versus product design, and the presence of RSUs in tech roles. To maximize earning potential, designers in Middletown should focus on building strong portfolios, staying current with industry trends, and considering opportunities in emerging design systems, which are becoming increasingly vital in the UX landscape.
More salary data for Middletown, NY:
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 $71,919 for ux designersin the Middletown 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 Middletown 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