Senior UX Designer Salary in Dartmouth, MA: $102,368 (2026)
Quick Answer:The top tier of ux designers working in Dartmouth, MA — those at or above the 90th percentile — pull in $102,368/year or more for 2026, based on BLS OEWS 2025 estimates for SOC 15-1255. Strip back Dartmouth's price premium (BEA RPP 108.5, 9% above national) and that top-decile pay carries the same buying power as $94,348 in average-cost America. The 55% spread above city median typically rewards 7+ years of practice or specialty credentials.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Dartmouth, Massachusetts, senior UX designers command impressive salaries, with top earners projected to make as much as $102,368 in 2026. This position showcases a significant experience premium, with the median annual salary resting at $66,044, highlighting a noteworthy gap of $36,324 for those who reach the upper echelon of pay. Achieving top-tier compensation requires not only extensive industry experience—typically over seven years—but also the mastery of specialized skills relevant to current market demands. Those aspiring for the highest salaries must excel in areas such as user research, design systems, or specialized accessibility practices, making them more appealing to employers looking for expertise that drives user-focused design innovations.
About the Dartmouth Market
Salary estimated from Massachusetts average ($115,800) adjusted for local cost of living.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Dartmouth
Experienced ux designers at the top of the pay scale in Dartmouth earn between $84,536 and $102,368 per year (2026 est.). This $64,062 range from 10th to 90th percentile reflects significant earnings potential growth over a career. The Dartmouth median of $66,044 sits 20.73% below the US median.
Top UX Salary Comparison
| Level | Dartmouth | National |
|---|---|---|
| Median (P50) | $66,044 | $83,320 |
| 75th Percentile | $84,536 | $127,239 |
| 90th Percentile (Top 10%) | $102,368 | $161,472 |
In Dartmouth, experienced ux designers (P90) earn 55.00% more than the local median — reflecting the significant value of specialization and tenure in this market.
What Drives Top UX Designer Pay in Dartmouth
Advanced Certifications in Massachusetts
MA ux designers with additional specialty certifications within the user experience design field earn significantly above the $66,044 median. Expanded-scope credentials are increasingly valued by Dartmouth employers.
Specialty Focus
UX Designers focusing on high-acuity or specialty areas within the user experience design field in Dartmouth command premium compensation, often reaching the $84,536–$102,368 range.
Large Health-System & Multi-Site Experience
Large hospital systems and multi-site employers in the Dartmouth metro area often pay above-market rates for experienced ux designers who demonstrate efficiency and leadership.
Employer Loyalty & Patient Relationships
Long-tenured ux designers in Dartmouth with established relationships have strong negotiating leverage. In this developing market, retention bonuses and annual raises are common for top performers.
Continuing Education & Leadership
UX Designers in Massachusetts who pursue advanced degrees, mentor junior staff, or lead clinical education programs position themselves for the highest compensation tiers and management roles.
UX Designer Career & Wage Growth Path in Dartmouth
Clinical UX Designer
0-5 yearsSenior/Lead UX Designer
5-10 yearsUX Designer Department Manager
10+ yearsEducator / Specialty Leadership
AdvancedDartmouth ranks #38 of 57 Massachusetts cities for top earner ux designer salary (90th percentile: $102,368).
Top 10% ux designer compensation in Dartmouth ($102,368) is 24.49% below the Massachusetts average P90 ($135,566).
2021 BLS Actual
$79,975
2025 BLS Actual
$95,832
2026 Current Est.
$102,368
2021–2027 Growth
+36.7%
Salary Trajectory for UX Designers in Dartmouth (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $79,975 | Actual |
| 2022 | $79,014 | Actual |
| 2023 | $83,917 | Actual |
| 2024 | $189,698 | Actual |
| 2025 | $95,832 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $102,368 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $109,349 | Projected |
Top-earning ux designers (90th percentile) in Dartmouth saw their compensation grow 19.8% from $79,975 in 2021 to $95,832 in 2025, based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for this metropolitan area. At a 6.82% annual growth rate, senior-level pay is projected to reach $109,349 by 2027, reflecting continued demand for clinical expertise and expanded-function credentials.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Dartmouth 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.
Maximizing Your UX Designer Earnings in Dartmouth
In analyzing the compensation landscape for senior UX designers in MA, certain specializations are seeing particularly high demand. Skills in UX research, interactive design, or service design often command a premium, especially within larger tech companies such as those in the FAANG group or high-profile digital product agencies like IDEO. Compensation varies significantly across different employer types, with tech giants typically offering robust salaries that include equity options, while boutique design firms may provide broader scopes of work but at lower base pay. Advancement paths can vary greatly; senior UX designers might elevate to staff or principal roles on the individual contributor side, or transition into management roles as design managers and directors. Advanced qualifications, like a Master’s degree from a prestigious design program or proven fluency in industry-standard tools like Figma, can further enhance a designer's salary prospects in this competitive environment. Factors contributing to overall compensation include company tier, portfolio strength, and the specialty focus within the UX space, making it essential for professionals to align their skills with industry demands for maximizing their compensation potential.
More salary data for Dartmouth, MA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do experienced ux designers make in Dartmouth in 2026?
What drives higher ux designer pay in Dartmouth?
What certifications boost ux designer salary in Dartmouth?
Can experienced ux designers make six figures in Dartmouth?
How much does ux designer salary increase over time in Dartmouth?
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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
Top-earner salary figures on this page are 2026 projections derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. BLS reported a 90th percentile salary of $95,832 for ux designers in the Dartmouth metro area. A 6.82% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 senior-level compensation. Individual earnings depend on certifications, specialization, practice type, and years of clinical experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Dartmouth 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