UX Designer Salary in Columbia, SC: $64,838 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time ux designer in Columbia, SC earns a median $64,838/year (≈ $31.17/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-1255). Once you factor in Columbia's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.7), that paycheck buys what $69,226 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.0% above the South Carolina state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Columbia, South Carolina, the projected median compensation for UX designers stands at $64,838 for 2026, reflecting a significant gap compared to the national median of $83,320. In this city, salaries range from $35,892 at the 10th percentile to $92,141 at the 90th percentile, revealing diversity in earning potential based on employer and experience. The local job market has a mix of opportunities across different company structures, including FAANG giants, design agencies, and in-house teams. Typically, FAANG and larger tech firms offer the highest pay, often supplemented with stock options that elevate overall compensation. This sector's steady demand signals a conducive environment for professionals to explore as they weigh their employment options in the ever-evolving landscape of user experience design.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $35,892 | $17.26 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $51,683 | $24.86 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $64,838 | $31.17 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $72,513 | $34.86 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $92,141 | $44.30 |
Median Salary Position
22.18% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Columbia
In Columbia, SC, the ux designer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $56,249 (2026 est.). At $64,838, the local median is 22.18% below the national median of $83,320.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Columbia: You'd be above the median
How Columbia UX Designer Pay Compares
Columbia median: $64,838/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Columbia Pays |
|---|---|---|
| National Average | $83,320 | -22.18% less |
UX Designers in Columbia, SC earn a median of $64,838 per year (2026 est.), which is 22.18% lower than the national median of $83,320.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Columbia has a cost of living 6.34% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Columbia, SC has a cost-of-living index of 93.662 (below the national average of 100). A ux designer earning $64,838 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $69,226 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.77% boost.
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2021 BLS Actual
$46,627
2025 BLS Actual
$60,698
2026 Current Est.
$64,838
2021–2027 Growth
+48.5%
Salary Trajectory for UX Designers in Columbia (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $46,627 | Actual |
| 2022 | $82,360 | Actual |
| 2023 | $79,360 | Actual |
| 2024 | $79,090 | Actual |
| 2025 | $60,698 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $64,838 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $69,260 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Columbia metropolitan area, the median ux designer salary grew 30.2% from $46,627 (2021) to $60,698 (2025). At a 6.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $69,260 by 2027 — a total increase of $22,633 (48.54%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Columbia 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) | $35,892 – $51,683 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $51,683 – $64,838 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $64,838 – $72,513 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $72,513 – $92,141 |
UX salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual ux designer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
UX Designer Job Market in Columbia
In Columbia, there are currently around 140 employed UX designers, which indicates a healthy job market for this profession. The cost of living index at 93.662 suggests that salaries can stretch further in Columbia compared to many larger markets, providing a certain appeal for those looking to maximize their take-home pay. Among the top employers, larger tech firms generally pay the most, as they tend to offer a combination of competitive salaries and additional incentives like RSUs, which drive the gap between entry-level and senior positions. The variation in salaries can often be attributed to factors such as specialization in design areas—those skilled in research or design systems may demand higher compensation—portfolio strength, and the level of responsibility within the organization. To enhance earning potential, candidates should focus on building a strong portfolio that showcases impactful work while considering opportunities within tech firms known for higher payouts, ultimately aligning their career trajectory with the local market’s dynamics.
More salary data for Columbia, SC:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 $60,698 for ux designersin the Columbia 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
Source: BLS, OEWS, 4-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