UX Designer Salary in Bellingham, WA: $75,188 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time ux designer in Bellingham, WA earns a median $75,188/year (≈ $36.15/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-1255). Once you factor in Bellingham's price level (7% above national, BEA RPP 107.4), that paycheck buys what $70,007 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.1% below the Washington state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Bellingham, Washington, the projected median annual salary for UX designers in 2026 is $75,188, which positions the city slightly below the national average of $83,320 for the same year. Pay for local designers falls within a wide range, with the lowest 10% earning around $43,609 and the top 90% reaching up to $116,542. These estimates are derived from 2025 BLS data and consider the regional cost of living adjustments. Designers in Bellingham often face unique choices when it comes to employment structures, deciding between FAANG companies, digital product agencies, and in-house roles. Each provides distinct experiences and compensation packages that significantly influence pay, underscoring the importance of understanding the local job market dynamics and employer types for potential candidates.
About the Bellingham Market
Salary estimated from Washington average ($139,100) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $43,609 | $20.97 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $54,135 | $26.02 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $75,188 | $36.15 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $96,242 | $46.27 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $116,542 | $56.03 |
Median Salary Position
9.76% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Bellingham
In Bellingham, WA, the ux designer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $72,933 (2026 est.). At $75,188, the local median is 9.76% below the national median of $83,320.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Bellingham: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Bellingham UX Designer Pay Compares
Bellingham median: $75,188/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Bellingham Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Average | $75,264 | -0.10% less |
| National Average | $83,320 | -9.76% less |
UX Designers in Bellingham, WA earn a median of $75,188 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.76% lower than the national median of $83,320 and 0.10% below the Washington state average of $75,264.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Bellingham has a cost of living 7.40% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Bellingham, WA has a cost-of-living index of 107.4 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $75,188 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $70,007 — a 6.89% reduction.
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2021 BLS Actual
$78,740
2025 BLS Actual
$70,388
2026 Current Est.
$75,188
2021–2027 Growth
+2.0%
Salary Trajectory for UX Designers in Bellingham (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $78,740 | Actual |
| 2022 | $65,530 | Actual |
| 2023 | $65,450 | Actual |
| 2024 | $71,070 | Actual |
| 2025 | $70,388 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $75,188 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $80,316 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Bellingham metropolitan area, the median ux designer salary grew -10.6% from $78,740 (2021) to $70,388 (2025). At a 6.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $80,316 by 2027 — a total increase of $1,576 (2.00%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bellingham 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) | $43,609 – $54,135 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $54,135 – $75,188 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $75,188 – $96,242 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $96,242 – $116,542 |
UX salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual ux designer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
UX Designer Job Market in Bellingham
The employment landscape for UX designers in Bellingham consists of about 13 professionals, reflecting a niche yet stable market. With a cost-of-living index of 107.4, the purchasing power in Bellingham also factors into how competitive salaries truly are in relation to expenses. Among local employers, housing tech giants or innovative agencies tend to offer the highest compensation, with pay often being higher for those in product-focused roles at established firms. Variability in salaries arises from factors such as company prestige, specialty area, and individual portfolio strength. Designers are particularly encouraged to strengthen their portfolios with projects showcasing heavily-trafficked applications, as this can lead to better offers. Practical strategies to maximize pay include gaining experience with leading industry tools like Figma and specializing in research-heavy roles that demand higher compensation while navigating the realities of a fluctuating job market influenced by recent tech layoffs.
More salary data for Bellingham, WA:
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 $70,388 for ux designersin the Bellingham 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 Bellingham 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