UX Designer Salary in Renton, WA: $77,218 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time ux designer in Renton, WA earns a median $77,218/year (≈ $37.12/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-1255). Once you factor in Renton's price level (7% above national, BEA RPP 107.4), that paycheck buys what $71,898 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.6% above the Washington state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Renton, Washington, the 2026 median salary for a UX designer reaches $77,218, reflecting a growing demand for design expertise within the local tech landscape. With a salary range spanning from $44,786 at the bottom 10th percentile to an impressive $119,688 at the top 90th percentile, potential candidates can find diverse opportunities depending on their skillsets and the type of employer. These figures are based on 2025 BLS data, projected to 2026, alongside regional cost adjustments, which reveal that while Renton’s compensation is slightly below the national median of $83,320, the city's job market still offers competitive pay. Factors such as the choice of working for FAANG companies versus agencies or in-house teams can significantly influence salary potential, indicating a dynamic employment atmosphere where specialized design skills are increasingly valued.
About the Renton Market
Salary estimated from Washington average ($139,100) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $44,786 | $21.53 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $55,597 | $26.73 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $77,218 | $37.12 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $98,839 | $47.52 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $119,688 | $57.54 |
Median Salary Position
7.32% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Renton
In Renton, WA, the ux designer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $74,902 (2026 est.). At $77,218, the local median is 7.32% below the national median of $83,320.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Renton: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Renton UX Designer Pay Compares
Renton median: $77,218/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Renton Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Average | $75,261 | +2.60% more |
| National Average | $83,320 | -7.32% less |
UX Designers in Renton, WA earn a median of $77,218 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.32% lower than the national median of $83,320 and 2.60% above the Washington state average of $75,261.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Renton has a cost of living 7.40% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Renton, WA has a cost-of-living index of 107.4 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $77,218 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $71,898 — a 6.89% reduction.
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2021 BLS Actual
$55,530
2025 BLS Actual
$72,288
2026 Current Est.
$77,218
2021–2027 Growth
+48.5%
Salary Trajectory for UX Designers in Renton (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $55,530 | Actual |
| 2022 | $57,858 | Actual |
| 2023 | $68,493 | Actual |
| 2024 | $153,295 | Actual |
| 2025 | $72,288 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $77,218 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $82,484 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Renton metropolitan area, the median ux designer salary grew 30.2% from $55,530 (2021) to $72,288 (2025). At a 6.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $82,484 by 2027 — a total increase of $26,954 (48.54%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Renton 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) | $44,786 – $55,597 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $55,597 – $77,218 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $77,218 – $98,839 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $98,839 – $119,688 |
UX salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual ux designer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
UX Designer Job Market in Renton
Despite a localized job market hosting only 27 UX designers, Renton presents enticing conditions for aspiring professionals. The cost of living index stands at 107.4, suggesting that while expenses are above the national average, salaries generally keep pace with the local economic scenario. Tech companies, especially those that fall under the FAANG umbrella, tend to offer the most lucrative positions, particularly those focusing on product design and specialty areas such as design systems. Compensation often diverges based on company reputation, the complexity of the design role, and the designer's portfolio strength, with premium amounts available for those who can showcase heavily-trafficked applications and successful design management experiences. To enhance earning potential, job seekers in Renton should consider leveraging strong portfolios and targeting roles in companies known for their generous compensation packages, while remaining aware of market trends that have shaped the post-2023 job environment.
More salary data for Renton, 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 $72,288 for ux designersin the Renton 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 Renton 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