UX Designer Salary in Shawnee, KS: $55,374 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time ux designer in Shawnee, KS earns a median $55,374/year (≈ $26.62/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-1255). Once you factor in Shawnee's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 90.9), that paycheck buys what $60,917 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.5% below the Kansas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the average ux designer salary in Shawnee, Kansas, is projected to be $55,374, reflecting a considerable gap when compared to the national median of $83,320. The salary range in Shawnee spans from $32,118 at the 10th percentile to $85,830 at the 90th percentile, highlighting the diverse pay opportunities based on experience and specific employer situations. These figures, derived from state-level data and adjusted for local economic conditions, point to a job market where design roles can vary widely. UX designers in Shawnee may see different pay scales depending on whether they are engaged with FAANG companies, local digital agencies, or in-house product teams. Understanding this landscape is crucial for professionals considering their career paths within the area.
About the Shawnee Market
Salary estimated from Kansas average ($65,900) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $32,118 | $15.45 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $39,869 | $19.16 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $55,374 | $26.62 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $70,879 | $34.08 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $85,830 | $41.26 |
Median Salary Position
33.54% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Shawnee
In Shawnee, KS, the ux designer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $53,712 (2026 est.). At $55,374, the local median is 33.54% below the national median of $83,320.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Shawnee: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Shawnee UX Designer Pay Compares
Shawnee median: $55,374/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Shawnee Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Kansas Average | $56,794 | -2.50% less |
| National Average | $83,320 | -33.54% less |
UX Designers in Shawnee, KS earn a median of $55,374 per year (2026 est.), which is 33.54% lower than the national median of $83,320 and 2.50% below the Kansas state average of $56,794.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Shawnee has a cost of living 9.10% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Shawnee, KS has a cost-of-living index of 90.9 (below the national average of 100). A ux designer earning $55,374 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $60,917 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.01% boost.
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2021 BLS Actual
$39,821
2025 BLS Actual
$51,839
2026 Current Est.
$55,374
2021–2027 Growth
+48.5%
Salary Trajectory for UX Designers in Shawnee (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $39,821 | Actual |
| 2022 | $41,491 | Actual |
| 2023 | $49,117 | Actual |
| 2024 | $58,396 | Actual |
| 2025 | $51,839 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $55,374 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $59,151 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Shawnee metropolitan area, the median ux designer salary grew 30.2% from $39,821 (2021) to $51,839 (2025). At a 6.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $59,151 by 2027 — a total increase of $19,330 (48.54%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Shawnee 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) | $32,118 – $39,869 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $39,869 – $55,374 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $55,374 – $70,879 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $70,879 – $85,830 |
UX salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual ux designer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
UX Designer Job Market in Shawnee
Shawnee presents a unique local job market for ux designers, with only 11 professionals currently employed in this field. The cost of living index of 90.9 indicates that while salaries may be lower than the national average, the relative affordability can enhance overall purchasing power. Among local employers, big tech companies and higher-tier agencies generally offer the most robust compensation packages, often driven by equity and stock options for FAANG roles. The disparity in salaries can also be influenced by factors such as company prestige, the designer's specialty—whether in research, product design, or visual aesthetics—and the strength of their portfolio. For those looking to maximize their ux designer pay in Shawnee, focusing on building a solid portfolio that showcases heavily-trafficked apps or engaging in higher-value projects can be effective strategies. Ultimately, staying informed about market trends and continually enhancing skills with tools like Figma will be key drivers of success in this evolving job market.
More salary data for Shawnee, KS:
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 $51,839 for ux designersin the Shawnee 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 Shawnee 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