UX Designer Salary in Lakewood, WA: $74,354 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time ux designer in Lakewood, WA earns a median $74,354/year (≈ $35.74/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-1255). Once you factor in Lakewood's price level (7% above national, BEA RPP 107.4), that paycheck buys what $69,231 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.2% below the Washington state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Lakewood, Washington, UX designers can expect a median annual salary of $74,354 in 2026, which reflects a notable difference compared to the national median of $83,320. The salary range for these professionals stretches from a lower threshold of $43,125 (P10) to a high of $115,249 (P90). These figures, derived from 2025 BLS state-level data and adjusted for local cost-of-living factors, suggest a competitive yet tiered compensation landscape. The tradeoff between individual contributor roles and management tracks will play a significant part in determining salary peaks in the Lakewood market, influencing how much do UX designers make in Lakewood.
About the Lakewood Market
Salary estimated from Washington average ($139,100) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $43,125 | $20.73 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $54,101 | $26.01 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $74,354 | $35.74 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $95,173 | $45.76 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $115,249 | $55.41 |
Median Salary Position
10.76% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lakewood
In Lakewood, WA, the ux designer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $72,124 (2026 est.). At $74,354, the local median is 10.76% below the national median of $83,320.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Lakewood: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Lakewood UX Designer Pay Compares
Lakewood median: $74,354/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Lakewood Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Average | $75,257 | -1.20% less |
| National Average | $83,320 | -10.76% less |
UX Designers in Lakewood, WA earn a median of $74,354 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.76% lower than the national median of $83,320 and 1.20% below the Washington state average of $75,257.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Lakewood has a cost of living 7.40% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Lakewood, WA has a cost-of-living index of 107.4 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $74,354 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $69,231 — a 6.89% reduction.
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2021 BLS Actual
$53,470
2025 BLS Actual
$69,607
2026 Current Est.
$74,354
2021–2027 Growth
+48.5%
Salary Trajectory for UX Designers in Lakewood (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $53,470 | Actual |
| 2022 | $55,712 | Actual |
| 2023 | $65,953 | Actual |
| 2024 | $147,610 | Actual |
| 2025 | $69,607 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $74,354 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $79,425 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Lakewood metropolitan area, the median ux designer salary grew 30.2% from $53,470 (2021) to $69,607 (2025). At a 6.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $79,425 by 2027 — a total increase of $25,955 (48.54%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lakewood 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) | $43,125 – $54,101 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $54,101 – $74,354 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $74,354 – $95,173 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $95,173 – $115,249 |
UX salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual ux designer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
UX Designer Job Market in Lakewood
With a relatively small pool of 14 employed UX designers in Lakewood, the job market reflects both opportunities and limitations, particularly in light of a cost-of-living index sitting at 107.4, which is above the national average. This landscape impacts purchasing power and could constrain salaries in comparison to metropolitan tech hubs. Typically, larger tech companies known for premium salaries, such as FAANG firms, would naturally pay more compared to smaller design agencies or in-house product teams at non-tech firms. Variance in pay often hinges on the employer's size, the designer's specialty—whether in research or product design—and portfolio strength. For those looking to maximize their UX designer pay in Lakewood, focusing on building a robust portfolio showcasing heavily-trafficked apps can increase competitiveness, as will gaining experience with design systems, which have surged in demand post-2023.
More salary data for Lakewood, 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 $69,607 for ux designersin the Lakewood 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 Lakewood 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