UX Designer Salary in North Carolina: $78,779 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across North Carolina's 44 metropolitan areas, the average median ux designer pay sits at $78,779/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 15-1255. Because North Carolina sits at BEA RPP 93.6 (6% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $84,166 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Chapel Hill ($100,841), Durham ($100,005), Raleigh ($77,145).
In 2026, the average median salary for UX designers in North Carolina is projected to be $78,780, which is about 5.4% lower than the national median of $83,320. The highest-paying city in the state is Chapel Hill, where salaries can reach up to $107,718, while the lowest is Hickory at $48,799, creating a significant gap of $58,919 between these locations. This disparity can be attributed to several factors, including the concentration of tech companies in areas like Chapel Hill and Durham, which offer more resources and opportunities compared to smaller cities. North Carolina does not have specific state licensing requirements for UX designers, but practitioners should stay updated on general industry standards and best practices. The demand for UX designers is supported by a growing tech industry in the state, particularly in the Research Triangle area, contributing to an expected annual growth rate of 6.82%. With a total of 3,264 employed UX designers in North Carolina, the job market remains strong, backed by a steady demand for user experience professionals across sectors. Cities like Durham and Raleigh, with projected salaries of $106,825 and $82,406 respectively, emphasize the state's role as a developing hub for technology and design careers.
North Carolina UX Designer Salary Range
Overall salary range in North Carolina: $27,023 (lowest entry-level) to $166,964 (highest top earner)
North Carolina vs National Average
North Carolina ux designers earn 5.45% less than the national median ($-4,541/year difference).
North Carolina UX Designer Salary Distribution (2026)
UX Designer salaries in North Carolina range from $40,164 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $127,908 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $78,779. The North Carolina median is $4,541 below the US national median of $83,320. The average hourly rate is $37.88/hr. Approximately 3,264 ux designers are employed across 44 cities.
2021 BLS Actual
$66,823
2025 BLS Actual
$73,750
2026 Current Est.
$78,779
2021–2027 Growth
+25.9%
Salary Trajectory for UX Designers in North Carolina (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $66,823 | Actual |
| 2022 | $75,406 | Actual |
| 2023 | $88,885 | Actual |
| 2024 | $90,986 | Actual |
| 2025 | $73,750 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $78,779 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $84,152 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the North Carolina metropolitan area, the median ux designer salary grew 10.4% from $66,823 (2021) to $73,750 (2025). At a 6.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $84,152 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,329 (25.93%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the North Carolina 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 North Carolina
Lowest Paying Cities in North Carolina
Best Value Cities for UX Designers in North Carolina
When adjusted for local cost of living, these North Carolina cities offer the most purchasing power for ux designers.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chapel Hill | $107,718 | 93.6 | $115,083 |
| Durham | $106,825 | 97.572 | $109,483 |
| Cary | $82,014 | 93.6 | $87,622 |
| Raleigh | $82,406 | 98.157 | $83,953 |
| Concord | $76,777 | 93.6 | $82,027 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in North Carolina
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $40,164 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $78,779 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $127,908 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across North Carolina metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 44 Cities in North Carolina
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chapel Hill | $107,718 |
| 2 | Durham | $106,825 |
| 3 | Raleigh | $82,406 |
| 4 | Cary | $82,014 |
| 5 | Concord | $76,777 |
| 6 | Charlotte | $75,541 |
| 7 | Gastonia | $73,930 |
| 8 | Winston-Salem | $66,865 |
| 9 | Fayetteville | $65,653 |
| 10 | Huntersville | $65,208 |
| 11 | Kannapolis | $65,106 |
| 12 | Apex | $64,953 |
| 13 | Jacksonville | $64,835 |
| 14 | Asheville | $64,517 |
| 15 | Wilmington | $64,487 |
| 16 | Statesville | $63,981 |
| 17 | Kernersville | $63,925 |
| 18 | Matthews | $63,776 |
| 19 | Cornelius | $63,666 |
| 20 | Sanford | $63,610 |
| 21 | Wake Forest | $63,609 |
| 22 | Morrisville | $63,580 |
| 23 | Fuquay-Varina | $63,410 |
| 24 | Salisbury | $63,400 |
| 25 | Thomasville | $63,295 |
| 26 | New Bern | $63,271 |
| 27 | Mint Hill | $63,255 |
| 28 | Burlington | $63,211 |
| 29 | Greenville | $63,011 |
| 30 | Rocky Mount | $62,664 |
| 31 | Greensboro | $62,322 |
| 32 | Holly Springs | $62,254 |
| 33 | Mooresville | $62,058 |
| 34 | Monroe | $62,034 |
| 35 | Garner | $61,894 |
| 36 | Wilson | $61,848 |
| 37 | Boone | $61,580 |
| 38 | High Point | $61,363 |
| 39 | Indian Trail | $61,048 |
| 40 | Carrboro | $60,808 |
| 41 | Leland | $59,911 |
| 42 | Pinehurst | $59,800 |
| 43 | Winston | $57,820 |
| 44 | Hickory | $48,799 |
More North Carolina Salary Data
Compare Cities in North Carolina
View all comparisons →Explore More UX Designer Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do ux designers make in North Carolina in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for ux designers in North Carolina?
How does North Carolina ux designer pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level ux designer salary in North Carolina?
How many ux designers are employed in North Carolina?
Which North Carolina 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 North Carolina. State averages are employment-weighted across 44 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