UX Designer Salary in Staunton, VA: $61,832 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time ux designer in Staunton, VA earns a median $61,832/year (≈ $29.73/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-1255). Once you factor in Staunton's price level (3% above national, BEA RPP 103.2), that paycheck buys what $59,915 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.1% below the Virginia state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the ux designer salary in Staunton, Virginia, is projected to reach $61,832, which reflects a significant difference compared to the national median of $83,320. With salaries ranging from $35,863 at the lower end (P10) to $95,839 for top earners (P90), the local market presents a diverse pay scale influenced by several factors. These figures are derived from state-level data and adjusted for regional cost considerations, including Staunton's cost of living index which stands at 103.2—indicative that living expenses are slightly above the national average. The pay structure often varies based on the type of employer; for instance, while tech giants and unicorn companies often offer higher compensation packages with stock options, digital product agencies and in-house design teams may present opportunities that emphasize project variety and a broader scope of work.
About the Staunton Market
Salary estimated from Virginia average ($68,100) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $35,863 | $17.24 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $44,956 | $21.61 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $61,832 | $29.73 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $79,145 | $38.05 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $95,839 | $46.07 |
Median Salary Position
25.79% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Staunton
In Staunton, VA, the ux designer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $59,976 (2026 est.). At $61,832, the local median is 25.79% below the national median of $83,320.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Staunton: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Staunton UX Designer Pay Compares
Staunton median: $61,832/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Staunton Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Average | $64,475 | -4.10% less |
| National Average | $83,320 | -25.79% less |
UX Designers in Staunton, VA earn a median of $61,832 per year (2026 est.), which is 25.79% lower than the national median of $83,320 and 4.10% below the Virginia state average of $64,475.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Staunton has a cost of living 3.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Staunton, VA has a cost-of-living index of 103.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $61,832 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $59,915 — a 3.1% reduction.
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2021 BLS Actual
$44,465
2025 BLS Actual
$57,884
2026 Current Est.
$61,832
2021–2027 Growth
+48.5%
Salary Trajectory for UX Designers in Staunton (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $44,465 | Actual |
| 2022 | $46,329 | Actual |
| 2023 | $54,845 | Actual |
| 2024 | $67,383 | Actual |
| 2025 | $57,884 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $61,832 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $66,049 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Staunton metropolitan area, the median ux designer salary grew 30.2% from $44,465 (2021) to $57,884 (2025). At a 6.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $66,049 by 2027 — a total increase of $21,584 (48.54%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Staunton 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) | $35,863 – $44,956 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $44,956 – $61,832 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $61,832 – $79,145 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $79,145 – $95,839 |
UX salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual ux designer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
UX Designer Job Market in Staunton
As the local job market for ux designers in Staunton shows employment figures of just five professionals, this limited pool can influence both competition and demand. With a median annual salary projection lower than the national average, the immediate cost-of-living reality affects take-home purchasing power. In such a market, top salaries are often found in larger tech firms or reputable design agencies. Pay disparities can stem from several factors, including the tier of the company, specialty within design, portfolio strength, and the availability of equity or stock options. Designers who can showcase high-traffic application experiences in their portfolios or who specialize in areas like research tend to command higher wages. Additionally, strategically positioning oneself in the local market—by networking within Staunton's tight-knit community of designers and staying up-to-date with tools like Figma—could provide a pathway to maximizing potential earnings in the evolving landscape of ux design in this region.
More salary data for Staunton, 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 $57,884 for ux designersin the Staunton 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
Salary data for Staunton is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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