UX Designer Salary in Bristol, RI: $59,452 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time ux designer in Bristol, RI earns a median $59,452/year (≈ $28.59/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-1255). Once you factor in Bristol's price level (1% above national, BEA RPP 100.5), that paycheck buys what $59,156 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.3% below the Rhode Island state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, UX designers in Bristol, Rhode Island, earn a median annual salary of $59,452, which falls significantly below the national median of $83,320, marking a 28.65% discrepancy. The local salary ranges from $34,481 at the lower 10th percentile to $92,150 at the 90th percentile; these figures are informed by state-level estimates and regional price adjustments. Many professionals are faced with the choice between pursuing a career track focused on innovative products within larger tech firms or working more broadly across various projects in agencies or in-house teams. For prospective candidates, understanding where these peaks happen and aligning with the right niche can be critical in Bristol’s job market, particularly in the current economic landscape marked by previous layoffs.
About the Bristol Market
Salary estimated from Rhode Island average ($114,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $34,481 | $16.58 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $42,805 | $20.58 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $59,452 | $28.59 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $76,099 | $36.59 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $92,150 | $44.30 |
Median Salary Position
28.65% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Bristol
In Bristol, RI, the ux designer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $57,669 (2026 est.). At $59,452, the local median is 28.65% below the national median of $83,320.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Bristol: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Bristol UX Designer Pay Compares
Bristol median: $59,452/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Bristol Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Rhode Island Average | $62,779 | -5.30% less |
| National Average | $83,320 | -28.65% less |
UX Designers in Bristol, RI earn a median of $59,452 per year (2026 est.), which is 28.65% lower than the national median of $83,320 and 5.30% below the Rhode Island state average of $62,779.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Bristol has a cost of living 0.50% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Bristol, RI has a cost-of-living index of 100.5 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $59,452 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $59,156 — a 0.5% reduction.
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2021 BLS Actual
$42,753
2025 BLS Actual
$55,656
2026 Current Est.
$59,452
2021–2027 Growth
+48.5%
Salary Trajectory for UX Designers in Bristol (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $42,753 | Actual |
| 2022 | $44,546 | Actual |
| 2023 | $52,734 | Actual |
| 2024 | $108,458 | Actual |
| 2025 | $55,656 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $59,452 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $63,506 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Bristol metropolitan area, the median ux designer salary grew 30.2% from $42,753 (2021) to $55,656 (2025). At a 6.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $63,506 by 2027 — a total increase of $20,753 (48.54%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bristol 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) | $34,481 – $42,805 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $42,805 – $59,452 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $59,452 – $76,099 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $76,099 – $92,150 |
UX salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual ux designer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
UX Designer Job Market in Bristol
In Bristol, just five UX designers are currently employed, indicating a small footprint for this profession in the area. The cost-of-living index stands at 100.5, slightly above the national average, which can affect take-home pay and overall purchasing power. Designers working for larger tech firms, particularly those in the FAANG group, are likely to command higher salaries compared to those at boutique agencies or non-tech companies. The disparity in pay often hinges on several factors, such as the employer tier, design specialty, portfolio strength, and the presence of stock options which are prevalent in tech companies. To maximize earnings, UX designers in Bristol should focus on building robust portfolios showcasing successful projects, cultivating niche specialties like UX research, and considering opportunities that offer equity alongside solid salary packages.
More salary data for Bristol, RI:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can ux designers make $100K in Bristol?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted ux designer salary in Bristol?
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Related Pages
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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 $55,656 for ux designersin the Bristol 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 Bristol 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