UX Designer Salary in Virginia: $56,333 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Virginia's 42 metropolitan areas, the average median ux designer pay sits at $56,333/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 15-1255. Because Virginia sits at BEA RPP 103.2 (3% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $54,586 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Alexandria ($72,136), Newport News ($60,842), Hampton ($60,305).
In 2026, the average median salary for UX designers in Virginia is projected at $56,333, significantly lower than the national median of $83,320, marking a disparity of -32.4%. Within the state, salaries show considerable variation based on location. Alexandria stands as the highest paying city at $77,056, while Bristol reports the lowest at $37,234, illustrating a $39,822 gap. This difference can be attributed to factors such as local industry presence, cost of living, and demand for UX specialists, which are more pronounced in urban areas compared to rural settings. The total employment of UX designers in Virginia is expected to be 1,088, reflecting a positive job market outlook with a growth rate of 6.82% annually. This growth is driven by an increased focus on user-centered design across various sectors, including technology and government services. Notably, Virginia does not impose specific state licensing requirements for UX designers, allowing for a broader scope of practice. However, local demand drivers, such as the proximity to government and military agencies, contribute to regional salary differences. Overall, while salaries in Virginia may lag behind national averages, the job market for UX designers continues to evolve, presenting new opportunities for growth.
Virginia UX Designer Salary Range
Overall salary range in Virginia: $21,596 (lowest entry-level) to $119,437 (highest top earner)
Virginia vs National Average
Virginia ux designers earn 32.39% less than the national median ($-26,987/year difference).
Virginia UX Designer Salary Distribution (2026)
UX Designer salaries in Virginia range from $34,627 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $91,814 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $56,333. The Virginia median is $26,987 below the US national median of $83,320. The average hourly rate is $27.08/hr. Approximately 1,088 ux designers are employed across 42 cities.
2021 BLS Actual
$63,028
2025 BLS Actual
$52,736
2026 Current Est.
$56,333
2021–2027 Growth
+-4.5%
Salary Trajectory for UX Designers in Virginia (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $63,028 | Actual |
| 2022 | $73,157 | Actual |
| 2023 | $66,345 | Actual |
| 2024 | $63,714 | Actual |
| 2025 | $52,736 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $56,333 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $60,175 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Virginia metropolitan area, the median ux designer salary grew -16.3% from $63,028 (2021) to $52,736 (2025). At a 6.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $60,175 by 2027 — a total increase of $-2,853 (-4.53%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Virginia 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Virginia
Lowest Paying Cities in Virginia
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Bristol | $37,234 |
| Blacksburg | $37,991 |
| Radford | $38,655 |
| Richmond | $51,001 |
| Charlottesville | $51,667 |
Best Value Cities for UX Designers in Virginia
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Virginia cities offer the most purchasing power for ux designers.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alexandria | $77,056 | 103.2 | $74,667 |
| Newport News | $64,991 | 103.2 | $62,976 |
| Hampton | $64,418 | 103.2 | $62,421 |
| Centreville | $64,118 | 103.2 | $62,130 |
| Roanoke | $63,938 | 103.2 | $61,955 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Virginia
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $34,627 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $56,333 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $91,814 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Virginia metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 42 Cities in Virginia
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alexandria | $77,056 |
| 2 | Newport News | $64,991 |
| 3 | Hampton | $64,418 |
| 4 | Centreville | $64,118 |
| 5 | Roanoke | $63,938 |
| 6 | Lynchburg | $63,934 |
| 7 | Burke | $63,683 |
| 8 | Harrisonburg | $63,550 |
| 9 | Suffolk | $63,407 |
| 10 | Tuckahoe | $63,228 |
| 11 | Ashburn | $63,137 |
| 12 | McLean | $63,133 |
| 13 | Reston | $63,065 |
| 14 | Danville | $63,053 |
| 15 | Fredericksburg | $62,782 |
| 16 | Dale City | $62,770 |
| 17 | Manassas | $62,702 |
| 18 | Salem | $62,527 |
| 19 | Leesburg | $62,437 |
| 20 | Portsmouth | $62,402 |
| 21 | Mechanicsville | $62,302 |
| 22 | Springfield | $62,082 |
| 23 | Woodbridge | $61,996 |
| 24 | Sterling | $61,877 |
| 25 | Staunton | $61,832 |
| 26 | Lake Ridge | $61,796 |
| 27 | Linton Hall | $61,726 |
| 28 | Fairfax | $61,568 |
| 29 | Waynesboro | $61,268 |
| 30 | Annandale | $61,186 |
| 31 | Winchester | $61,096 |
| 32 | Williamsburg | $61,069 |
| 33 | Herndon | $60,409 |
| 34 | Falls Church | $59,463 |
| 35 | Norfolk | $55,772 |
| 36 | Chesapeake | $55,165 |
| 37 | Virginia Beach | $54,951 |
| 38 | Charlottesville | $51,667 |
| 39 | Richmond | $51,001 |
| 40 | Radford | $38,655 |
| 41 | Blacksburg | $37,991 |
| 42 | Bristol | $37,234 |
More Virginia Salary Data
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced ux designers.
Explore More UX Designer Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do ux designers make in Virginia in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for ux designers in Virginia?
How does Virginia ux designer pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level ux designer salary in Virginia?
How many ux designers are employed in Virginia?
Which Virginia city offers the best value for ux designers?
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
Statewide 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. A 6.82% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 ux designer compensation across Virginia. State averages are employment-weighted across 42 metro areas — larger metro areas with more ux designerscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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