UX Designer Salary in Tempe, AZ: $61,812 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time ux designer in Tempe, AZ earns a median $61,812/year (≈ $29.72/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-1255). Once you factor in Tempe's price level (1% below national, BEA RPP 98.5), that paycheck buys what $62,753 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.4% above the Arizona state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the expected annual salary for UX designers in Tempe, Arizona, is projected to be $61,812, representing a notable disparity when compared to the national median of $83,320. This local salary range varies significantly, with the lowest 10% earning around $35,851, while the top 90% can make as much as $95,809. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS data projected into 2026, indicate that while Tempe's UX designer salaries may lag behind the national average, there are still competitive opportunities available for talented professionals in this field. The local job market has been resilient, characterized by a growing demand for skilled designers who can contribute to both tech companies and design agencies, each offering different career trajectories and compensation structures.
About the Tempe Market
Salary estimated from Arizona average ($99,800) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $35,851 | $17.24 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $44,505 | $21.40 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $61,812 | $29.72 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $79,119 | $38.04 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $95,809 | $46.06 |
Median Salary Position
25.81% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Tempe
In Tempe, AZ, the ux designer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $59,958 (2026 est.). At $61,812, the local median is 25.81% below the national median of $83,320.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Tempe: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Tempe UX Designer Pay Compares
Tempe median: $61,812/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Tempe Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Arizona Average | $61,566 | +0.40% more |
| National Average | $83,320 | -25.81% less |
UX Designers in Tempe, AZ earn a median of $61,812 per year (2026 est.), which is 25.81% lower than the national median of $83,320 and 0.40% above the Arizona state average of $61,566.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Tempe has a cost of living 1.50% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Tempe, AZ has a cost-of-living index of 98.5 (below the national average of 100). A ux designer earning $61,812 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $62,753 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.52% boost.
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2021 BLS Actual
$44,451
2025 BLS Actual
$57,866
2026 Current Est.
$61,812
2021–2027 Growth
+48.5%
Salary Trajectory for UX Designers in Tempe (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $44,451 | Actual |
| 2022 | $46,315 | Actual |
| 2023 | $54,828 | Actual |
| 2024 | $98,718 | Actual |
| 2025 | $57,866 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $61,812 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $66,028 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Tempe metropolitan area, the median ux designer salary grew 30.2% from $44,451 (2021) to $57,866 (2025). At a 6.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $66,028 by 2027 — a total increase of $21,577 (48.54%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Tempe 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) | $35,851 – $44,505 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $44,505 – $61,812 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $61,812 – $79,119 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $79,119 – $95,809 |
UX salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual ux designer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
UX Designer Job Market in Tempe
As of the latest projections, there are about 43 UX designers actively employed in Tempe, suggesting a compact but dynamic job market in this area. Residents benefit from a cost of living index of 98.5, which generally allows for enhanced purchasing power compared to national averages. Salaries can vary greatly, with major tech firms like Microsoft and Adobe, as well as innovative startups, typically offering higher pay compared to boutique design agencies. The variation in pay scales can also be attributed to factors such as company reputation, specialization—like research over visual design—and the strength of individual portfolios. To maximize earnings in Tempe, aspiring UX designers should consider focusing on building robust portfolios with real-world projects, potentially utilizing tools like Figma, and targeting positions within top-tier companies that offer equity and higher salaries, as these elements can significantly influence compensation.
More salary data for Tempe, AZ:
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 $57,866 for ux designersin the Tempe 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 Tempe 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