UX Designer Salary in Leland, NC: $59,911 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time ux designer in Leland, NC earns a median $59,911/year (≈ $28.80/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-1255). Once you factor in Leland's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.6), that paycheck buys what $64,007 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.1% below the North Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In the wake of the post-2023 design layoffs, the local economy in Leland, North Carolina, is finding its footing, with projected salaries for UX designers rising to a median of $59,911 in 2026. This figure reflects a salary range from $34,749 at the lower end (P10) to $92,862 at the upper end (P90), indicating a healthy market for design professionals in the area. These estimates are based on 2025 BLS data, projected to 2026, and consider regional price adjustments, painting an accurate picture of UX designer pay in Leland, NC. Despite being significantly lower than the national median of $83,320, the local market is absorbing recent workforce shifts, and employment opportunities for UX designers are emerging as businesses continue to adapt to evolving digital demands.
About the Leland Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($99,200) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $34,749 | $16.71 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $44,209 | $21.26 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $59,911 | $28.80 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $76,686 | $36.86 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $92,862 | $44.64 |
Median Salary Position
28.1% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Leland
In Leland, NC, the ux designer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $58,113 (2026 est.). At $59,911, the local median is 28.1% below the national median of $83,320.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Leland: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Leland UX Designer Pay Compares
Leland median: $59,911/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Leland Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $64,490 | -7.10% less |
| National Average | $83,320 | -28.10% less |
UX Designers in Leland, NC earn a median of $59,911 per year (2026 est.), which is 28.10% lower than the national median of $83,320 and 7.10% below the North Carolina state average of $64,490.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Leland 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.
Leland, NC has a cost-of-living index of 93.6 (below the national average of 100). A ux designer earning $59,911 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $64,007 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.84% boost.
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2021 BLS Actual
$43,084
2025 BLS Actual
$56,086
2026 Current Est.
$59,911
2021–2027 Growth
+48.5%
Salary Trajectory for UX Designers in Leland (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $43,084 | Actual |
| 2022 | $44,890 | Actual |
| 2023 | $53,141 | Actual |
| 2024 | $86,222 | Actual |
| 2025 | $56,086 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $59,911 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $63,997 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Leland metropolitan area, the median ux designer salary grew 30.2% from $43,084 (2021) to $56,086 (2025). At a 6.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $63,997 by 2027 — a total increase of $20,913 (48.54%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Leland 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) | $34,749 – $44,209 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $44,209 – $59,911 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $59,911 – $76,686 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $76,686 – $92,862 |
UX salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual ux designer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
UX Designer Job Market in Leland
The job market in Leland is modest but stable, with a total of six UX designers currently employed in the area. The cost of living index, standing at 93.6, suggests that although salaries are lower than the national average, designers enjoy a relatively favorable purchasing power. When it comes to compensation, tech companies often lead the way in offering better salaries, particularly for positions linked to larger firms like FAANG or unicorn startups. However, agencies and in-house teams can also provide comprehensive experience by exposing designers to diverse projects. The significant disparity between low and high salaries often stems from factors such as company stature, specialization in design functions like research versus visual design, and the strength of an individual’s portfolio. Designers looking to maximize their pay in Leland should focus on building a solid portfolio featuring high-traffic applications, consider roles within established tech companies, and keep abreast of trends in design systems, as these aspects can significantly enhance earning potential in this evolving market.
More salary data for Leland, NC:
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 $56,086 for ux designersin the Leland 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 Leland 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