UX Designer Salary in Salt Lake City, UT: $85,979 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time ux designer in Salt Lake City, UT earns a median $85,979/year (≈ $41.34/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-1255). Once you factor in Salt Lake City's price level (1% above national, BEA RPP 100.9), that paycheck buys what $85,239 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 15.6% above the Utah state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the compensation for UX designers in Salt Lake City is projected to reach a median annual salary of $85,979, reflecting a 3.19% increase over the national median of $83,320. This local figure sits within a salary range from $50,225 at the 10th percentile to $127,880 at the 90th percentile. These salary insights are derived from official BLS OEWS surveys, indicating a diverse market for UX professionals in the area, particularly following the significant design layoffs seen in the tech sector from 2023 to 2024. As the local job market adjusted to these changes, Salt Lake City emerged as a competitive environment for talent, generating opportunities for both experienced and emerging designers alike.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $50,225 | $24.15 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $65,951 | $31.71 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $85,979 | $41.34 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $106,905 | $51.39 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $127,880 | $61.47 |
Median Salary Position
3.19% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Salt Lake City
In Salt Lake City, UT, the ux designer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $77,655 (2026 est.). At $85,979, the local median is 3.19% above the national median of $83,320.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Salt Lake City: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Salt Lake City UX Designer Pay Compares
Salt Lake City median: $85,979/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Salt Lake City Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Utah Average | $74,377 | +15.60% more |
| National Average | $83,320 | +3.19% more |
UX Designers in Salt Lake City, UT earn a median of $85,979 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.19% higher than the national median of $83,320 and 15.60% above the Utah state average of $74,377.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Salt Lake City has a cost of living 0.87% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Salt Lake City, UT has a cost-of-living index of 100.868 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $85,979 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $85,239 — a 0.86% reduction.
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2021 BLS Actual
$79,920
2025 BLS Actual
$80,490
2026 Current Est.
$85,979
2021–2027 Growth
+14.9%
Salary Trajectory for UX Designers in Salt Lake City (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $79,920 | Actual |
| 2022 | $81,250 | Actual |
| 2023 | $104,220 | Actual |
| 2024 | $102,630 | Actual |
| 2025 | $80,490 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $85,979 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $91,843 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Salt Lake City metropolitan area, the median ux designer salary grew 0.7% from $79,920 (2021) to $80,490 (2025). At a 6.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $91,843 by 2027 — a total increase of $11,923 (14.92%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Salt Lake City 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) | $50,225 – $65,951 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $65,951 – $85,979 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $85,979 – $106,905 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $106,905 – $127,880 |
UX salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual ux designer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
UX Designer Job Market in Salt Lake City
The job market for UX designers in Salt Lake City UT is vibrant, with approximately 580 professionals currently employed in this field. Given the cost of living index at 100.868, the local salaries provide a reasonable lifestyle. Firms that typically offer the highest pay include major tech players like Microsoft and Adobe, alongside leading digital product agencies. The disparity between lower and higher salaries largely results from factors such as the prestige of the employing company, the specific skill set of the designer, and their proven portfolio. Designers with experience in creating heavily-trafficked applications or those who have specialized knowledge in research and design systems tend to see better compensation. To optimize pay in this market, candidates should focus on building a robust portfolio, engage continuously with industry tools like Figma, and consider opportunities with top-tier firms that offer not only competitive base salaries but also potential stock options and equity.
More salary data for Salt Lake City, UT:
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 $80,490 for ux designersin the Salt Lake City 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