UX Designer Salary in Wilkes-Barre, PA: $64,515 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time ux designer in Wilkes-Barre, PA earns a median $64,515/year (≈ $31.02/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-1255). Once you factor in Wilkes-Barre's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.4), that paycheck buys what $66,237 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.6% below the Pennsylvania state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
The $64,515 annual compensation for UX designers in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, falls below the national median of $83,320, indicating a market that may offer slightly lower rewards compared to larger metropolitan areas. Salaries range from around $37,419 at the lower end to $99,998 for those at the high end, reflecting a diverse spectrum of positions in this field. Estimates are based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for local cost-of-living factors in Wilkes-Barre. As the role evolves, designers here are strategically navigating the choice between specializing in UX management or remaining hands-on with product design, with compensation peaks differing based on the track taken.
About the Wilkes-Barre Market
Salary estimated from Pennsylvania average ($89,500) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $37,419 | $17.99 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $46,451 | $22.34 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $64,515 | $31.02 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $82,579 | $39.70 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $99,998 | $48.08 |
Median Salary Position
22.57% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Wilkes-Barre
In Wilkes-Barre, PA, the ux designer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $62,579 (2026 est.). At $64,515, the local median is 22.57% below the national median of $83,320.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Wilkes-Barre: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Wilkes-Barre UX Designer Pay Compares
Wilkes-Barre median: $64,515/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Wilkes-Barre Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania Average | $65,564 | -1.60% less |
| National Average | $83,320 | -22.57% less |
UX Designers in Wilkes-Barre, PA earn a median of $64,515 per year (2026 est.), which is 22.57% lower than the national median of $83,320 and 1.60% below the Pennsylvania state average of $65,564.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Wilkes-Barre has a cost of living 2.60% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Wilkes-Barre, PA has a cost-of-living index of 97.4 (below the national average of 100). A ux designer earning $64,515 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $66,237 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.67% boost.
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2021 BLS Actual
$46,395
2025 BLS Actual
$60,396
2026 Current Est.
$64,515
2021–2027 Growth
+48.5%
Salary Trajectory for UX Designers in Wilkes-Barre (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $46,395 | Actual |
| 2022 | $48,340 | Actual |
| 2023 | $57,225 | Actual |
| 2024 | $85,786 | Actual |
| 2025 | $60,396 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $64,515 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $68,915 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Wilkes-Barre metropolitan area, the median ux designer salary grew 30.2% from $46,395 (2021) to $60,396 (2025). At a 6.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $68,915 by 2027 — a total increase of $22,520 (48.54%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Wilkes-Barre 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) | $37,419 – $46,451 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $46,451 – $64,515 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $64,515 – $82,579 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $82,579 – $99,998 |
UX salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual ux designer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
UX Designer Job Market in Wilkes-Barre
While only 11 UX designers are employed locally, the market benefits from Wilkes-Barre's cost-of-living index of 97.4, which allows for a more favorable take-home pay relative to expenses. Companies and design consultancies vary significantly in salary offerings, with top pay likely found at mid-sized tech firms focused on digital products. High-quality portfolios showcasing experience with prominent software like Figma can lead to enhanced earnings, while company tier influences salary brackets—those within prestigious tech companies may have access to RSUs, impacting overall compensation. To thrive in the local job market, UX designers should emphasize building a solid portfolio, pursuing ongoing education, and considering contract roles while navigating the trade-offs between stability and potential higher earnings within different avenues, ultimately maximizing their UX designer pay in Wilkes-Barre, PA.
More salary data for Wilkes-Barre, PA:
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 $60,396 for ux designersin the Wilkes-Barre 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 Wilkes-Barre 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