UX Designer Salary in Blacksburg, VA: $37,991 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time ux designer in Blacksburg, VA earns a median $37,991/year (≈ $18.27/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-1255). Once you factor in Blacksburg's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 92.7), that paycheck buys what $40,978 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 41.1% below the Virginia state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, a typical UX designer salary in Blacksburg, VA sits at $37,991 annually, reflecting a stark contrast to the national median of $83,320. The salary range for these positions spans from $27,495 at the lower end to $56,129 at the upper tier, indicating the diverse opportunities and pay scales in this field. The data, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, is indicative of the local job market, where design professionals often weigh the decision between securing a role with a high-tech company, digital agencies, or in-house teams at larger corporations. Each of these options carries distinct implications for compensation and job security, shaped by recent tech layoffs and shifting market demand in design specialties.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $27,495 | $13.22 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $37,991 | $18.27 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $37,991 | $18.27 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $44,825 | $21.55 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $56,129 | $26.99 |
Median Salary Position
54.4% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Blacksburg
In Blacksburg, VA, the ux designer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $28,634 (2026 est.). At $37,991, the local median is 54.4% below the national median of $83,320.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Blacksburg: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Blacksburg UX Designer Pay Compares
Blacksburg median: $37,991/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Blacksburg Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Average | $64,500 | -41.10% less |
| National Average | $83,320 | -54.40% less |
UX Designers in Blacksburg, VA earn a median of $37,991 per year (2026 est.), which is 54.40% lower than the national median of $83,320 and 41.10% below the Virginia state average of $64,500.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Blacksburg has a cost of living 7.29% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Blacksburg, VA has a cost-of-living index of 92.71 (below the national average of 100). A ux designer earning $37,991 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $40,978 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.86% boost.
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2021 BLS Actual
$27,320
2025 BLS Actual
$35,565
2026 Current Est.
$37,991
2021–2027 Growth
+48.5%
Salary Trajectory for UX Designers in Blacksburg (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $27,320 | Actual |
| 2022 | $28,466 | Actual |
| 2023 | $33,698 | Actual |
| 2024 | $51,380 | Actual |
| 2025 | $35,565 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $37,991 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $40,581 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Blacksburg metropolitan area, the median ux designer salary grew 30.2% from $27,320 (2021) to $35,565 (2025). At a 6.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $40,581 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,261 (48.54%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Blacksburg 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) | $27,495 – $37,991 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $37,991 – $37,991 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $37,991 – $44,825 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $44,825 – $56,129 |
UX salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual ux designer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
UX Designer Job Market in Blacksburg
Blacksburg boasts around 40 employed UX designers, suggesting a modest but stable job market for this occupation. With a cost-of-living index of 92.71, the local economy ensures that earnings stretch further than they might in pricier urban centers. Among the employers who stand out for higher pay within the area are tech giants and boutique design firms, where specialized skills in areas like research and product design can significantly affect compensation packages. Pay disparities arise from various factors including company reputation, individual portfolio strength, and the specialization within design disciplines. For UX designers looking to maximize their pay in Blacksburg, focusing on building a strong portfolio, perhaps featuring high-traffic apps or engaging in meaningful projects with prominent companies could enhance prospects for higher earnings.
More salary data for Blacksburg, VA:
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 $35,565 for ux designersin the Blacksburg 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, 2-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