UX Designer Salary in Lafayette, IN: $54,599 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time ux designer in Lafayette, IN earns a median $54,599/year (≈ $26.26/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-1255). Once you factor in Lafayette's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.4), that paycheck buys what $58,438 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.3% below the Indiana state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the expected median salary for UX designers in Lafayette, IN is $54,599, which highlights the gradual recovery of the design job market following the layoffs that affected many in the tech industry during 2023 and 2024. This figure falls significantly below the national median of $83,320, emphasizing the regional pay disparities in the UX design field. The salary range for designers in Lafayette spans from $46,828 at the 10th percentile to $78,657 at the 90th percentile, indicative of the varying levels of experience and specialization within the field. Given the competitive landscape, local firms are adapting as they refine their hiring strategies to attract talent in this changing environment, with an eye on the growing importance of strong portfolios, especially those utilizing Figma as a design tool.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $46,828 | $22.52 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $49,664 | $23.87 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $54,599 | $26.26 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $67,225 | $32.32 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $78,657 | $37.81 |
Median Salary Position
34.47% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lafayette
In Lafayette, IN, the ux designer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $31,829 (2026 est.). At $54,599, the local median is 34.47% below the national median of $83,320.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Lafayette: You'd be in the entry-level range
How Lafayette UX Designer Pay Compares
Lafayette median: $54,599/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Lafayette Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Indiana Average | $57,052 | -4.30% less |
| National Average | $83,320 | -34.47% less |
UX Designers in Lafayette, IN earn a median of $54,599 per year (2026 est.), which is 34.47% lower than the national median of $83,320 and 4.30% below the Indiana state average of $57,052.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Lafayette has a cost of living 6.57% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Lafayette, IN has a cost-of-living index of 93.43 (below the national average of 100). A ux designer earning $54,599 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $58,438 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.03% boost.
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2021 BLS Actual
$60,550
2025 BLS Actual
$51,113
2026 Current Est.
$54,599
2021–2027 Growth
+-3.7%
Salary Trajectory for UX Designers in Lafayette (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $60,550 | Actual |
| 2022 | $65,970 | Actual |
| 2023 | $64,770 | Actual |
| 2024 | $65,990 | Actual |
| 2025 | $51,113 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $54,599 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $58,323 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Lafayette metropolitan area, the median ux designer salary grew -15.6% from $60,550 (2021) to $51,113 (2025). At a 6.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $58,323 by 2027 — a total increase of $-2,227 (-3.68%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lafayette 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) | $46,828 – $49,664 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $49,664 – $54,599 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $54,599 – $67,225 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $67,225 – $78,657 |
UX salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual ux designer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
UX Designer Job Market in Lafayette
Looking to the job market, Lafayette currently employs around 40 UX designers, which illustrates a modest yet stable demand for design talent relative to other cities. The cost of living in Lafayette is also considerably lower than the national average, with a cost of living index of 93.43, enhancing the purchasing power for those earning within the local UX salary framework. Larger tech firms, digital product agencies, and in-house design teams typically offer more competitive packages, particularly for candidates who have experience with high-traffic applications or those moving into management roles. Factors such as company tier, specialty in design, and portfolio strength create a noticeable variance in pay levels. To maximize earning potential in Lafayette, designers may benefit from targeting positions within well-funded startups or tech companies, as well as continuously developing their skill set in areas such as design systems and research methodologies to bolster their profiles in an increasingly competitive market.
More salary data for Lafayette, IN:
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 $51,113 for ux designersin the Lafayette 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
Source: BLS, OEWS, 5-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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