UX Designer Salary in Kent, WA: $75,120 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time ux designer in Kent, WA earns a median $75,120/year (≈ $36.12/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-1255). Once you factor in Kent's price level (7% above national, BEA RPP 107.4), that paycheck buys what $69,944 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.2% below the Washington state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the ux designer salary in Kent, WA, is projected at $75,120 annually, reflecting a market that aligns closely with local economic conditions yet remains slightly below the national median of $83,320. Salaries in Kent vary significantly, ranging from $43,570 at the lower end to $116,436 at the high end, indicating a strong disparity based on company type and individual experience. These estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data and regional price adjustments, suggest that professionals in Kent face a competitive landscape shaped by choices between working for large tech firms, digital product agencies, or in-house design teams. Given a modest local employment figure of 33 ux designers, opportunities in Kent present a mixed bag for compensation and career growth, especially as layoffs in the tech sector during 2023-2024 lead many designers to reconsider their paths.
About the Kent Market
Salary estimated from Washington average ($139,100) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $43,570 | $20.95 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $54,086 | $26.00 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $75,120 | $36.12 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $96,154 | $46.23 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $116,436 | $55.97 |
Median Salary Position
9.84% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Kent
In Kent, WA, the ux designer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $72,866 (2026 est.). At $75,120, the local median is 9.84% below the national median of $83,320.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Kent: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Kent UX Designer Pay Compares
Kent median: $75,120/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Kent Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Average | $75,271 | -0.20% less |
| National Average | $83,320 | -9.84% less |
UX Designers in Kent, WA earn a median of $75,120 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.84% lower than the national median of $83,320 and 0.20% below the Washington state average of $75,271.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Kent has a cost of living 7.40% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Kent, WA has a cost-of-living index of 107.4 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $75,120 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $69,944 — a 6.89% reduction.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2021 BLS Actual
$54,021
2025 BLS Actual
$70,324
2026 Current Est.
$75,120
2021–2027 Growth
+48.5%
Salary Trajectory for UX Designers in Kent (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $54,021 | Actual |
| 2022 | $56,286 | Actual |
| 2023 | $66,632 | Actual |
| 2024 | $149,131 | Actual |
| 2025 | $70,324 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $75,120 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $80,243 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Kent metropolitan area, the median ux designer salary grew 30.2% from $54,021 (2021) to $70,324 (2025). At a 6.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $80,243 by 2027 — a total increase of $26,222 (48.54%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Kent 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) | $43,570 – $54,086 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $54,086 – $75,120 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $75,120 – $96,154 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $96,154 – $116,436 |
UX salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual ux designer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
UX Designer Job Market in Kent
Analyzing the job market for ux designer pay in Kent reveals that the cost-of-living index stands at 107.4, suggesting that while salaries are relatively competitive, the purchasing power may be impacted. Local employers tend to follow the broader industry pattern, where tech giants offer the most competitive salaries, likely pushing the upper limits of the pay scale and combining equity in their packages. Conversely, boutique agencies and in-house teams may not match these figures but often provide more varied project scopes. The variation in salaries can also be attributed to the designer's level of expertise, with specialties like research or strong portfolios dramatically influencing compensation. To maximize their earning potential, designers in Kent should focus on aligning with industry standards, leveraging Figma expertise, and cultivating a portfolio rich in relevant case studies that resonate with high-demand roles in FAANG or prominent consulting firms.
More salary data for Kent, WA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do ux designers make in Kent, WA in 2026?
Is Kent, WA a good place to work as a ux designer?
Can ux designers make $100K in Kent?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted ux designer salary in Kent?
How much does a ux designer make per hour in Kent?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Washington
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 $70,324 for ux designersin the Kent 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 Kent 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