UX Designer Salary in Utica, NY: $61,512 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time ux designer in Utica, NY earns a median $61,512/year (≈ $29.58/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-1255). Once you factor in Utica's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 92.7), that paycheck buys what $66,372 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 22.6% below the New York state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the average ux designer salary in Utica, NY, is projected to reach $61,512, significantly below the national median of $83,320. This lower figure reflects the local employment landscape, which has seen challenges following post-2023 design layoffs across the sector. The salary range for UX designers in Utica varies from $37,967 at the 10th percentile to $105,912 for those at the 90th percentile, indicating there are opportunities for skilled professionals to command salaries at the higher end based on their expertise and portfolio strength. These insights are drawn from 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, showing a local job market that is gradually adjusting to its new reality while remaining competitive.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $37,967 | $18.26 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $48,702 | $23.41 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $61,512 | $29.58 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $93,262 | $44.84 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $105,912 | $50.92 |
Median Salary Position
26.17% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Utica
In Utica, NY, the ux designer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $67,945 (2026 est.). At $61,512, the local median is 26.17% below the national median of $83,320.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Utica: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Utica UX Designer Pay Compares
Utica median: $61,512/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Utica Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New York Average | $79,473 | -22.60% less |
| National Average | $83,320 | -26.17% less |
UX Designers in Utica, NY earn a median of $61,512 per year (2026 est.), which is 26.17% lower than the national median of $83,320 and 22.60% below the New York state average of $79,473.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Utica has a cost of living 7.32% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Utica, NY has a cost-of-living index of 92.678 (below the national average of 100). A ux designer earning $61,512 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $66,372 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.9% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2021 BLS Actual
$48,260
2025 BLS Actual
$57,585
2026 Current Est.
$61,512
2021–2027 Growth
+36.2%
Salary Trajectory for UX Designers in Utica (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $48,260 | Actual |
| 2022 | $64,050 | Actual |
| 2023 | $62,020 | Actual |
| 2024 | $94,980 | Actual |
| 2025 | $57,585 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $61,512 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $65,707 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Utica metropolitan area, the median ux designer salary grew 19.3% from $48,260 (2021) to $57,585 (2025). At a 6.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $65,707 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,447 (36.15%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Utica 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) | $37,967 – $48,702 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $48,702 – $61,512 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $61,512 – $93,262 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $93,262 – $105,912 |
UX salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual ux designer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
UX Designer Job Market in Utica
Currently, approximately 40 ux designers are employed in Utica, which contributes to a relatively stable professional community. The cost of living in the city is indexed at 92.678, suggesting that take-home purchasing power is better than in many other areas, although it's still essential for professionals to consider local salaries when evaluating their career paths. Among the highest-paying employers in the region are established tech firms and digital product agencies. Pay discrepancies within the field often stem from factors such as company caliber, specialty focus, and individual portfolio strength. To maximize earnings in Utica, designers should emphasize building a robust portfolio featuring well-trafficked applications, stay abreast of trending specialties, and consider roles in companies known for strong compensation packages, which can significantly influence overall earnings.
More salary data for Utica, NY:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do ux designers make in Utica, NY in 2026?
Is Utica, NY a good place to work as a ux designer?
Can ux designers make $100K in Utica?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted ux designer salary in Utica?
How much does a ux designer make per hour in Utica?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in New York
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 $57,585 for ux designersin the Utica 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