UX Designer Salary

Spokane vs Tumwater: UX Designer Salary (2026)

Compare ux designer salaries between Spokane, WA and Tumwater, WA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Spokane, WA
$74,339
$35.74/hr
Tumwater, WA
$76,863
$36.95/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricSpokane, WATumwater, WA
Median Salary$74,339$76,863
Hourly Rate$35.74$36.95
Entry Level (P10)$46,915$44,580
25th Percentile$53,837$56,118
75th Percentile$95,818$98,385
Top Earner (P90)$120,502$119,138
Total Employed1706
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Spokane ($74,339) and Tumwater ($76,863) ux designer salaries.SpokaneTumwaterMedian Salary$74,339$76,863Entry Level (P10)$46,915$44,580Top Earner (P90)$120,502$119,138US Median $83,320

Verdict

Spokane and Tumwater are closely matched on overall ux designer compensation, each winning on different metrics.

The salary gap between Spokane and Tumwater is $2,524 (3.40%). Tumwater's median is -7.75% compared to the US national median of $83,320.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Spokane spans $73,587,Tumwater spans $74,558. Tumwater has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced ux designers.

Spokane
P10 (Entry)$46,915
P25$53,837
Median$74,339
P75$95,818
P90 (Top)$120,502
Tumwater
P10 (Entry)$44,580
P25$56,118
Median$76,863
P75$98,385
P90 (Top)$119,138

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Spokane ($74,083 effective) pays 3.52% more than Tumwater ($71,567 effective).

Spokane
Nominal: $74,339
CoL Index: 100.346
Adjusted: $74,083
Tumwater
Nominal: $76,863
CoL Index: 107.4
Adjusted: $71,567

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Spokane if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($120,502)
  • Larger job market (170 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $74,083)
  • You prefer the Washington area and lifestyle

Choose Tumwater if…

  • Higher median salary ($76,863/year)
  • You prefer the Washington area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, ux designer salaries in Spokane grew 11.4% from 2021 to 2025, compared to -50.8% growth in Tumwater over the same period.

Spokane, WA

+11.4%

$62,460 (2021) → $69,593 (2025)

Tumwater, WA

+-50.8%

$146,239 (2024) → $71,956 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays ux designers more: Spokane or Tumwater?

Tumwater has a higher median ux designer salary at $76,863/year, compared to Spokane at $74,339/year — a difference of $2,524 (3.40%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Spokane and Tumwater?

Spokane ux designers earn $35.74/hr while Tumwater hygienists earn $36.95/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Spokane to Tumwater as a ux designer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Spokane and Tumwater. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Spokane = $74,083, Tumwater = $71,567), job availability (170 vs 6 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level ux designers earn in Spokane vs Tumwater?

Entry-level (10th percentile) ux designers earn $46,915 in Spokane and $44,580 in Tumwater. The Spokane area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

MC

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.

Clinically reviewed by Ismail Khan, BA, UXDData verified by Aisha Patel, MS

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 6.82% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Maria Chen, MDes, a licensed ux designer with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov