UX Designer Salary in Decatur, AL: $55,030 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time ux designer in Decatur, AL earns a median $55,030/year (≈ $26.46/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-1255). Once you factor in Decatur's price level (12% below national, BEA RPP 87.9), that paycheck buys what $62,605 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.2% above the Alabama state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the estimated median annual salary for UX designers in Decatur, Alabama, is projected to be $55,030, reflecting a clear contrast with the national median of $83,320. This local salary range extends from $31,918 at the 10th percentile to $85,297 at the 90th percentile, providing a diverse context for compensation within the field. Factors such as regional cost adjustments, influenced by Decatur's lower-than-average cost of living, contribute to these salary figures derived from state-level data. Following the significant layoffs experienced in the design sector post-2023, the local market has begun to stabilize, as skilled designers seek opportunities despite uncertainty in larger tech markets, shaping a unique compensation environment in Decatur.
About the Decatur Market
Salary estimated from Alabama average ($68,300) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $31,918 | $15.35 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $39,622 | $19.05 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $55,030 | $26.46 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $70,439 | $33.86 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $85,297 | $41.01 |
Median Salary Position
33.95% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Decatur
In Decatur, AL, the ux designer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $53,379 (2026 est.). At $55,030, the local median is 33.95% below the national median of $83,320.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Decatur: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Decatur UX Designer Pay Compares
Decatur median: $55,030/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Decatur Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama Average | $54,921 | +0.20% more |
| National Average | $83,320 | -33.95% less |
UX Designers in Decatur, AL earn a median of $55,030 per year (2026 est.), which is 33.95% lower than the national median of $83,320 and 0.20% above the Alabama state average of $54,921.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Decatur has a cost of living 12.10% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Decatur, AL has a cost-of-living index of 87.9 (below the national average of 100). A ux designer earning $55,030 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $62,605 in an average-cost city — an effective 13.77% boost.
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2021 BLS Actual
$39,574
2025 BLS Actual
$51,517
2026 Current Est.
$55,030
2021–2027 Growth
+48.5%
Salary Trajectory for UX Designers in Decatur (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $39,574 | Actual |
| 2022 | $41,233 | Actual |
| 2023 | $48,812 | Actual |
| 2024 | $60,146 | Actual |
| 2025 | $51,517 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $55,030 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $58,784 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Decatur metropolitan area, the median ux designer salary grew 30.2% from $39,574 (2021) to $51,517 (2025). At a 6.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $58,784 by 2027 — a total increase of $19,210 (48.54%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Decatur 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) | $31,918 – $39,622 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $39,622 – $55,030 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $55,030 – $70,439 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $70,439 – $85,297 |
UX salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual ux designer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
UX Designer Job Market in Decatur
The local job market in Decatur currently supports nine UX designers, indicative of a niche yet growing field. With a cost of living index at 87.9, professionals can expect their salaries to stretch further, contributing to a favorable take-home purchasing power. Among employers, tech companies tend to offer the highest compensation, particularly those engaged in digital product development. The spread of salaries in this market often correlates with the company's tier, the designer's specialty, and the robustness of their portfolio. Designers focusing on specialized areas such as research or possessing strong experience with Figma can potentially command higher wages. To maximize pay, individuals should consider gaining experience with high-demand skills, pursuing roles within top-tier tech companies, and continuously enhancing their portfolios with significant projects.
More salary data for Decatur, AL:
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 $51,517 for ux designersin the Decatur 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 Decatur 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