UX Designer Salary in Burien, WA: $74,902 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time ux designer in Burien, WA earns a median $74,902/year (≈ $36.01/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-1255). Once you factor in Burien's price level (7% above national, BEA RPP 107.4), that paycheck buys what $69,741 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.5% below the Washington state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Burien, Washington, the 2026 median annual pay for a UX designer sits at approximately $74,902, reflecting a notable local market that slightly undercuts the national median of $83,320. Salary ranges are projected to vary significantly, with the lowest earners making around $43,444 and top professionals reaching up to $116,098. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS data and regional price adjustments, suggest a competitive yet nuanced landscape for UX design roles. Designers in Burien may find the most lucrative opportunities based within larger tech companies or specialized digital agencies, each influencing salary structures through varying demands for skillsets and project scopes.
About the Burien Market
Salary estimated from Washington average ($139,100) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $43,444 | $20.88 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $53,929 | $25.93 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $74,902 | $36.01 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $95,875 | $46.09 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $116,098 | $55.81 |
Median Salary Position
10.1% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Burien
In Burien, WA, the ux designer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $72,654 (2026 est.). At $74,902, the local median is 10.1% below the national median of $83,320.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Burien: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Burien UX Designer Pay Compares
Burien median: $74,902/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Burien Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Average | $75,279 | -0.50% less |
| National Average | $83,320 | -10.10% less |
UX Designers in Burien, WA earn a median of $74,902 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.10% lower than the national median of $83,320 and 0.50% below the Washington state average of $75,279.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Burien has a cost of living 7.40% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Burien, WA has a cost-of-living index of 107.4 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $74,902 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $69,741 — a 6.89% reduction.
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2021 BLS Actual
$53,864
2025 BLS Actual
$70,120
2026 Current Est.
$74,902
2021–2027 Growth
+48.5%
Salary Trajectory for UX Designers in Burien (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $53,864 | Actual |
| 2022 | $56,123 | Actual |
| 2023 | $66,439 | Actual |
| 2024 | $148,698 | Actual |
| 2025 | $70,120 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $74,902 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $80,011 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Burien metropolitan area, the median ux designer salary grew 30.2% from $53,864 (2021) to $70,120 (2025). At a 6.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $80,011 by 2027 — a total increase of $26,147 (48.54%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Burien 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) | $43,444 – $53,929 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $53,929 – $74,902 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $74,902 – $95,875 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $95,875 – $116,098 |
UX salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual ux designer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
UX Designer Job Market in Burien
The local job market in Burien currently employs a modest cohort of eight UX designers, underscoring a niche but stable field for this role. With a cost-of-living index at 107.4, which indicates that living expenses are above the national average, designers's earnings directly affect their purchasing power in the area. Among potential employers, larger tech firms can dominate salaries due to their capacity for offering competitive packages that might include RSUs or other equity incentives, while smaller agencies or in-house teams may provide different advantages such as broader project involvement and work-life balance. The pay gap within this market can stem from factors such as firm size, level of specialization, and the strength of one's portfolio—particularly if it includes versatile user experience projects. To maximize earning potential, candidates should aim for strong portfolios featuring varied projects and consider negotiating for equity in tech firms to enhance their overall compensation.
More salary data for Burien, 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 $70,120 for ux designersin the Burien 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 Burien 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