UX Designer Salary in Washington: $104,387 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Washington's 50 metropolitan areas, the average median ux designer pay sits at $104,387/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 15-1255. Because Washington sits at BEA RPP 107.4 (7% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $97,195 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Bellevue ($101,303), Seattle ($100,320), Tacoma ($98,647).
The landscape for UX designer salaries in Washington reflects a strong earning potential compared to national averages. In 2026, the average median salary for UX designers in the state is projected to be $104,388, which surpasses the national median of $83,320 by 25.3%. The highest-paying city, Bellevue, offers $108,212, while Kennewick, the lowest, pays $66,736, highlighting a salary gap of $41,476 driven by factors such as local demand, cost of living, and the concentration of tech companies in urban areas. Washington's unique factors, including state licensing requirements and scope of practice laws, contribute to the demand for skilled UX designers. The projected annual compound growth rate for employment in this field is 6.82%, indicating a steady increase in job opportunities. Major metro areas such as Seattle and Tacoma present competitive salaries of $107,162 and $105,375, respectively, further underscoring the potential for career advancement. As the tech industry continues to expand in Washington, the job market for UX designers remains strong, making it an appealing choice for professionals in this field.
Washington UX Designer Salary Range
Overall salary range in Washington: $33,328 (lowest entry-level) to $174,490 (highest top earner)
Washington vs National Average
Washington ux designers earn 25.28% more than the national median (+$21,067/year difference).
Washington UX Designer Salary Distribution (2026)
UX Designer salaries in Washington range from $48,303 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $169,902 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $104,387. The Washington median is $21,067 above the US national median of $83,320. The average hourly rate is $50.19/hr. Approximately 11,413 ux designers are employed across 50 cities.
2021 BLS Actual
$148,217
2025 BLS Actual
$97,723
2026 Current Est.
$104,387
2021–2027 Growth
+-24.8%
Salary Trajectory for UX Designers in Washington (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $148,217 | Actual |
| 2022 | $113,071 | Actual |
| 2023 | $107,326 | Actual |
| 2024 | $129,460 | Actual |
| 2025 | $97,723 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $104,387 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $111,506 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Washington metropolitan area, the median ux designer salary grew -34.1% from $148,217 (2021) to $97,723 (2025). At a 6.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $111,506 by 2027 — a total increase of $-36,711 (-24.77%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Washington 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 Washington
Lowest Paying Cities in Washington
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Kennewick | $66,736 |
| Richland | $68,127 |
| Yakima | $68,707 |
| Tukwila | $69,558 |
| Mountlake Terrace | $69,665 |
Best Value Cities for UX Designers in Washington
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Washington cities offer the most purchasing power for ux designers.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bellevue | $108,212 | 107.4 | $100,756 |
| Tacoma | $105,375 | 107.4 | $98,115 |
| Seattle | $107,162 | 111.133 | $96,427 |
| Vancouver | $97,273 | 107.4 | $90,571 |
| Bremerton | $89,264 | 105.607 | $84,525 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Washington
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $48,303 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $104,387 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $169,902 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Washington metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 50 Cities in Washington
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bellevue | $108,212 |
| 2 | Seattle | $107,162 |
| 3 | Tacoma | $105,375 |
| 4 | Vancouver | $97,273 |
| 5 | Bremerton | $89,264 |
| 6 | Renton | $77,218 |
| 7 | Tumwater | $76,863 |
| 8 | Everett | $76,470 |
| 9 | Olympia | $76,166 |
| 10 | Marysville | $75,898 |
| 11 | Spokane Valley | $75,770 |
| 12 | Lacey | $75,541 |
| 13 | Shoreline | $75,480 |
| 14 | Bellingham | $75,188 |
| 15 | Redmond | $75,182 |
| 16 | Kent | $75,120 |
| 17 | Kirkland | $74,997 |
| 18 | Burien | $74,902 |
| 19 | Federal Way | $74,573 |
| 20 | Des Moines | $74,557 |
| 21 | Auburn | $74,384 |
| 22 | Lakewood | $74,354 |
| 23 | Spokane | $74,339 |
| 24 | Issaquah | $74,311 |
| 25 | Sammamish | $73,823 |
| 26 | University Place | $73,798 |
| 27 | SeaTac | $73,740 |
| 28 | Pasco | $73,424 |
| 29 | Longview | $73,390 |
| 30 | Mount Vernon | $73,203 |
| 31 | Edmonds | $72,974 |
| 32 | Lake Stevens | $72,782 |
| 33 | Lynnwood | $72,735 |
| 34 | Moses Lake | $72,595 |
| 35 | Bothell | $72,543 |
| 36 | Pullman | $72,221 |
| 37 | Puyallup | $72,058 |
| 38 | Ellensburg | $71,787 |
| 39 | Maple Valley | $71,591 |
| 40 | Walla Walla | $71,433 |
| 41 | Camas | $71,409 |
| 42 | Wenatchee | $71,351 |
| 43 | Oak Harbor | $71,108 |
| 44 | Kenmore | $70,650 |
| 45 | Covington | $70,644 |
| 46 | Mountlake Terrace | $69,665 |
| 47 | Tukwila | $69,558 |
| 48 | Yakima | $68,707 |
| 49 | Richland | $68,127 |
| 50 | Kennewick | $66,736 |
More Washington Salary Data
Compare Cities in Washington
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Frequently Asked Questions
How much do ux designers make in Washington in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for ux designers in Washington?
How does Washington ux designer pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level ux designer salary in Washington?
How many ux designers are employed in Washington?
Which Washington 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 Washington. State averages are employment-weighted across 50 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