UX Designer Salary in Chattanooga, TN: $39,842 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time ux designer in Chattanooga, TN earns a median $39,842/year (≈ $19.15/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-1255). Once you factor in Chattanooga's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 91.5), that paycheck buys what $43,560 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 18.1% below the Tennessee state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, an estimated ux designer salary in Chattanooga is projected to be $39,842, significantly lower than the national median of $83,320. This figure reflects the aftermath of the significant layoffs in tech design roles and how the local market has adapted by redefining salary benchmarks. The salary range for ux designers in the area spans from $30,164 at the lower 10th percentile to as high as $87,037 for those in the top 90th percentile. These insights are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, providing a comprehensive overview of how much do ux designers make in Chattanooga relative to the broader market and delineating the local realities of the field.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $30,164 | $14.51 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $33,408 | $16.07 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $39,842 | $19.15 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $56,329 | $27.08 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $87,037 | $41.84 |
Median Salary Position
52.18% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Chattanooga
In Chattanooga, TN, the ux designer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $56,873 (2026 est.). At $39,842, the local median is 52.18% below the national median of $83,320.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Chattanooga: You'd be in the entry-level range
How Chattanooga UX Designer Pay Compares
Chattanooga median: $39,842/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Chattanooga Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Tennessee Average | $48,647 | -18.10% less |
| National Average | $83,320 | -52.18% less |
UX Designers in Chattanooga, TN earn a median of $39,842 per year (2026 est.), which is 52.18% lower than the national median of $83,320 and 18.10% below the Tennessee state average of $48,647.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Chattanooga has a cost of living 8.54% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Chattanooga, TN has a cost-of-living index of 91.464 (below the national average of 100). A ux designer earning $39,842 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $43,560 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.33% boost.
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2021 BLS Actual
$48,670
2025 BLS Actual
$37,298
2026 Current Est.
$39,842
2021–2027 Growth
+-12.6%
Salary Trajectory for UX Designers in Chattanooga (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $48,670 | Actual |
| 2022 | $49,750 | Actual |
| 2023 | $46,460 | Actual |
| 2024 | $44,840 | Actual |
| 2025 | $37,298 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $39,842 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $42,559 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Chattanooga metropolitan area, the median ux designer salary grew -23.4% from $48,670 (2021) to $37,298 (2025). At a 6.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $42,559 by 2027 — a total increase of $-6,111 (-12.56%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Chattanooga 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) | $30,164 – $33,408 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $33,408 – $39,842 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $39,842 – $56,329 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $56,329 – $87,037 |
UX salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual ux designer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
UX Designer Job Market in Chattanooga
As the demand for ux designers in Chattanooga grows, the job market remains competitive, particularly among tech companies and digital product agencies. The cost of living index at 91.464 indicates that while salaries are lower than national averages, the purchasing power for designers can be favorable in this region. Major employers in the tech sector, including those in the FAANG group and various startups, offer higher compensation, primarily through equity and benefits not accounted for in base salaries. The variance in ux designer pay in Chattanooga, TN, often hinges on factors such as company tier—where FAANG and unicorn startups pay more than smaller firms—and specialized skills within design domains. For instance, expertise in design systems or a heavy-hitting portfolio showcasing high-traffic applications can position candidates for more lucrative roles. To maximize pay in this environment, designers should focus on both building a solid portfolio and cultivating skills in in-demand areas while being adaptable to the distinctive needs of local employers.
More salary data for Chattanooga, TN:
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 $37,298 for ux designersin the Chattanooga 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, 5-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