UX Designer Salary in Aurora, CO: $77,047 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time ux designer in Aurora, CO earns a median $77,047/year (≈ $37.05/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-1255). Once you factor in Aurora's price level (5% above national, BEA RPP 105.0), that paycheck buys what $73,378 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 17.4% above the Colorado state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Aurora, Colorado, a UX designer can expect a median annual salary of $77,047 in 2026, which is slightly below the national median of $83,320. The local salary landscape shows a wide range, with the lowest 10% earning around $44,687 and the top 90% making as much as $119,423. These figures come from estimates based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional cost variations. Despite the challenging landscape brought on by the post-2023 design layoffs, Aurora's job market has been able to absorb and adapt, creating a stable environment for UX professionals. This adaptability signifies a promising outlook for individuals entering the UX design field in Aurora, CO.
About the Aurora Market
Salary estimated from Colorado average ($122,500) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $44,687 | $21.48 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $55,474 | $26.67 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $77,047 | $37.05 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $98,620 | $47.42 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $119,423 | $57.42 |
Median Salary Position
7.53% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Aurora
In Aurora, CO, the ux designer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $74,736 (2026 est.). At $77,047, the local median is 7.53% below the national median of $83,320.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Aurora: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Aurora UX Designer Pay Compares
Aurora median: $77,047/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Aurora Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Colorado Average | $65,628 | +17.40% more |
| National Average | $83,320 | -7.53% less |
UX Designers in Aurora, CO earn a median of $77,047 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.53% lower than the national median of $83,320 and 17.40% above the Colorado state average of $65,628.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Aurora has a cost of living 5.00% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Aurora, CO has a cost-of-living index of 105 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $77,047 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $73,378 — a 4.76% reduction.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2021 BLS Actual
$55,407
2025 BLS Actual
$72,128
2026 Current Est.
$77,047
2021–2027 Growth
+48.5%
Salary Trajectory for UX Designers in Aurora (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $55,407 | Actual |
| 2022 | $57,730 | Actual |
| 2023 | $68,341 | Actual |
| 2024 | $132,090 | Actual |
| 2025 | $72,128 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $77,047 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $82,302 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Aurora metropolitan area, the median ux designer salary grew 30.2% from $55,407 (2021) to $72,128 (2025). At a 6.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $82,302 by 2027 — a total increase of $26,895 (48.54%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Aurora 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) | $44,687 – $55,474 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $55,474 – $77,047 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $77,047 – $98,620 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $98,620 – $119,423 |
UX salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual ux designer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
UX Designer Job Market in Aurora
Considering the local employment context, Aurora has around 54 UX designers actively working in the area, which highlights a healthy demand for this skill set. With a cost of living index of 105, the purchasing power for professionals in the area may be somewhat constrained compared to the national average. Top-paying employers in Aurora include major tech companies and digital product agencies that typically offer competitive compensation packages, especially for those in specialized roles such as research or product design. The pay disparity seen among UX designers mainly stems from factors such as the tier of the hiring company, the designer’s portfolio strength, and the presence of equity compensation at larger firms. To maximize earnings in this market, UX designers should focus on building a strong portfolio with diverse projects, stay current with industry tools like Figma, and consider opportunities at firms known for robust design capabilities.
More salary data for Aurora, CO:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do ux designers make in Aurora, CO in 2026?
Is Aurora, CO a good place to work as a ux designer?
Can ux designers make $100K in Aurora?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted ux designer salary in Aurora?
How much does a ux designer make per hour in Aurora?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Colorado
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 $72,128 for ux designersin the Aurora 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 Aurora 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