UX Designer Salary in Nashville, TN: $50,882 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time ux designer in Nashville, TN earns a median $50,882/year (≈ $24.46/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-1255). Once you factor in Nashville's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 96.3), that paycheck buys what $52,816 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.6% above the Tennessee state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, ux designers in Nashville expect a median annual salary of $50,882, which highlights a notable disparity when comparing this figure to the national median of $83,320. The salary range for this occupation is projected between $46,379 at the 10th percentile and $59,662 at the 90th percentile, illustrating a diverse compensation landscape. These insights are derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys, indicating some unique local market dynamics. An emerging trend in Nashville reflects a growing interest among companies in expanding their design teams, which could elevate salary negotiations for skilled professionals keen to advance their careers in this vibrant city.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $46,379 | $22.29 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $50,882 | $24.46 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $50,882 | $24.46 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $50,882 | $24.46 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $59,662 | $28.69 |
Median Salary Position
38.93% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Nashville
In Nashville, TN, the ux designer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $13,283 (2026 est.). At $50,882, the local median is 38.93% below the national median of $83,320.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Nashville: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Nashville UX Designer Pay Compares
Nashville median: $50,882/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Nashville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Tennessee Average | $48,644 | +4.60% more |
| National Average | $83,320 | -38.93% less |
UX Designers in Nashville, TN earn a median of $50,882 per year (2026 est.), which is 38.93% lower than the national median of $83,320 and 4.60% above the Tennessee state average of $48,644.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Nashville has a cost of living 3.66% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Nashville, TN has a cost-of-living index of 96.338 (below the national average of 100). A ux designer earning $50,882 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $52,816 in an average-cost city — an effective 3.8% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2021 BLS Actual
$51,210
2025 BLS Actual
$47,633
2026 Current Est.
$50,882
2021–2027 Growth
+6.1%
Salary Trajectory for UX Designers in Nashville (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $51,210 | Actual |
| 2022 | $54,530 | Actual |
| 2023 | $70,390 | Actual |
| 2024 | $59,087 | Actual |
| 2025 | $47,633 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $50,882 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $54,352 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Nashville metropolitan area, the median ux designer salary grew -7.0% from $51,210 (2021) to $47,633 (2025). At a 6.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $54,352 by 2027 — a total increase of $3,142 (6.14%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Nashville 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) | $46,379 – $50,882 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $50,882 – $50,882 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $50,882 – $50,882 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $50,882 – $59,662 |
UX salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual ux designer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
UX Designer Job Market in Nashville
In Nashville, approximately 2,500 ux designers are employed, illustrating a robust local job market for this profession. However, with a cost of living index at 96.338, the purchasing power of these salaries may feel less impactful compared to larger markets. Companies such as tech giants and unicorn startups tend to offer the highest pay, particularly for roles emphasizing design systems, a specialty that has gained traction after the industry’s recent upheaval. Factors influencing pay variability include company tier, the nature of projects, and individual portfolio strength—particularly for designers who can showcase heavily-trafficked apps. To enhance compensation, candidates are advised to develop strong portfolios showcasing diverse skills, target high-tier companies, and consider the benefits of equity compensation, especially when navigating the competitive landscape of ux designer pay in Nashville, TN.
More salary data for Nashville, TN:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do ux designers make in Nashville, TN in 2026?
Is Nashville, TN a good place to work as a ux designer?
Can ux designers make $100K in Nashville?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted ux designer salary in Nashville?
How much does a ux designer make per hour in Nashville?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Tennessee
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 $47,633 for ux designersin the Nashville 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