UX Designer Salary in Burlington, NC: $63,211 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time ux designer in Burlington, NC earns a median $63,211/year (≈ $30.39/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-1255). Once you factor in Burlington's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.6), that paycheck buys what $67,533 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.0% below the North Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the projected compensation for a UX designer in Burlington, North Carolina, stands at $63,211, reflecting the local market's absorption of workforce changes following the mass layoffs in the tech sector during 2023. This median salary encapsulates a diverse salary range from $36,663 at the 10th percentile to $97,976 at the 90th percentile, indicating varied compensation opportunities dependent on experience and portfolio strength. These estimates derived from 2025 BLS state-level data and BEA regional price adjustments highlight a competitive local landscape, especially when considering that the national median for UX designers lies higher at $83,320. Burlington's continued commitment to tech and design shows promising job potential for UX professionals, making it an intriguing spot for those looking to establish or advance their careers.
About the Burlington Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($99,200) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $36,663 | $17.63 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $45,512 | $21.88 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $63,211 | $30.39 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $80,910 | $38.90 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $97,976 | $47.11 |
Median Salary Position
24.13% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Burlington
In Burlington, NC, the ux designer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $61,313 (2026 est.). At $63,211, the local median is 24.13% below the national median of $83,320.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Burlington: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Burlington UX Designer Pay Compares
Burlington median: $63,211/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Burlington Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $64,501 | -2.00% less |
| National Average | $83,320 | -24.13% less |
UX Designers in Burlington, NC earn a median of $63,211 per year (2026 est.), which is 24.13% lower than the national median of $83,320 and 2.00% below the North Carolina state average of $64,501.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Burlington has a cost of living 6.40% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Burlington, NC has a cost-of-living index of 93.6 (below the national average of 100). A ux designer earning $63,211 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $67,533 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.84% 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
$56,180
2025 BLS Actual
$59,175
2026 Current Est.
$63,211
2021–2027 Growth
+20.2%
Salary Trajectory for UX Designers in Burlington (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $56,180 | Actual |
| 2022 | $63,500 | Actual |
| 2023 | $66,750 | Actual |
| 2024 | $86,290 | Actual |
| 2025 | $59,175 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $63,211 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $67,522 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Burlington metropolitan area, the median ux designer salary grew 5.3% from $56,180 (2021) to $59,175 (2025). At a 6.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $67,522 by 2027 — a total increase of $11,342 (20.19%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Burlington 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) | $36,663 – $45,512 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $45,512 – $63,211 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $63,211 – $80,910 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $80,910 – $97,976 |
UX salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual ux designer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
UX Designer Job Market in Burlington
The job market for UX designers in Burlington features a modest number of professionals—only 14 designers are currently employed—illustrating a tightly held environment. The local cost of living is notably favorable, with an index of 93.6, meaning that take-home pay stretches further than in many parts of the country. Among employers, technology companies and digital product agencies are typically seen as the most lucrative, with FAANG firms and industry giants like Adobe generally providing higher compensation compared to in-house teams or startups. The disparity in pay is often dictated by company type, the complexity of roles such as research versus product design, and the overall strength of one’s portfolio. To maximize earning potential in Burlington, focusing on building a strong portfolio featuring successful projects, especially those with comprehensive design systems, and possibly seeking roles that offer equity or stock options in tech companies could be effective strategies.
More salary data for Burlington, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do ux designers make in Burlington, NC in 2026?
Is Burlington, NC a good place to work as a ux designer?
Can ux designers make $100K in Burlington?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted ux designer salary in Burlington?
How much does a ux designer make per hour in Burlington?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in North Carolina
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 $59,175 for ux designersin the Burlington 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 Burlington 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